Joint Pain (Arthralgia): Therapy

General measures

• Avoidance of:
  • Overloading of the joints, e.g., through competitive and high-performance sports or long-lasting heavy physical stress, e.g., at work.
• Depending on the disease and stage of disease:
  • Relief and immobilization
  • Sports leave
• In case of joint effusion:
  • Immobilization and rest with cooling and elevation of the joint are observed
  • (PECH scheme: “P” rest, sparing, immobilization: “E” ice/cooling; “C” compression e.g. elastic bandage; “H” elevation above heart level).
  • Later, careful mobilization can then be started.
• In case of osteoarthritis or joint degeneration – see under osteoarthritis.
• In case of trauma – care depending on the nature of the injury.

Conventional non-surgical therapy methods

• Analgesics u. Anti-inflammatory drugs (see below drug therapy).

Medical aids

• Immobilization by:
  • Bandages
  • Splints
  • Plaster
  • Orthotics (medical device made by orthopedic technician, which serves for stabilization, relief and immobilization) – in case of ligament instability.
• Walking stick, forearm support crutches

Nutritional medicine

• Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis
• Nutritional recommendations according to a mixed diet taking into account the disease at hand. This means, among other things:
  • Daily total of 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits (≥ 400 g; 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruits).
  • High-fiber diet (whole grains, vegetables).
• Observance of the following special dietary recommendations:
  • Diet rich in:
    • Vitamins (vitamin D (calciferols))
    • Omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – at least once or twice a week fresh sea fish, ie fatty marine fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel).
• Other dietary recommendations depending on the cause of arthralgia (joint pain).
• Selection of appropriate foods based on the nutritional analysis
• See also under “Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – if necessary, taking a suitable dietary supplement.
• Detailed information on nutritional medicine you will receive from us.

Physical therapy (including physiotherapy)

• Thermotherapy, this consists of heat and cold therapy (cryotherapy):
  • Heat therapy in the form of balneotherapy or electrothermotherapy has analgesic (pain-relieving) effects and improves health-related quality of life.
  • Cryotherapy is used only in active, inflammatory osteoarthritis.
• Electrotherapy
• Ultrasound therapy
• Therapeutic gymnastics – to promote and maintain joint function.

Complementary treatment methods

• Acupuncture – for pain management