Arthritis Treatment How to Get Relief From Arthritis Joint Pain Medications, topical pain relievers, injections, and more By Adrienne Dellwo Adrienne Dellwo LinkedIn Adrienne Dellwo is an experienced journalist who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and has written extensively on the topic. Learn about our editorial process Published on September 19, 2022 Medically reviewed by Scott Zashin, MD Medically reviewed by Scott Zashin, MD LinkedIn Scott J. Zashin, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and rheumatology. He was a volunteer clinical professor of internal medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Causes of Joint Pain Treatment Medications Topical Agents Injections Physical Therapy Home Remedies When to Seek Medical Care Frequently Asked Questions If you have arthritis, joint pain relief is an important part of your treatment and management plan. Many treatment options are available, including arthritis medication, topical treatments, injections, and more. This article discusses joint pain causes and arthritis treatments that you may want to explore. Science Photo Library / Getty Images Causes of Joint Pain The word arthritis means joint pain. It’s the name of a large group of diseases, and it’s also sometimes used to describe a symptom, such as when an illness like the flu causes joint pain. Chronic Joint Pain Arthritic diseases are chronic, meaning they won’t go away (although they can be well managed). Common forms of arthritis include: Osteoarthritis (the most common type of arthritis) Rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks healthy tissues) Psoriatic arthritis (an inflammatory form of arthritis) Ankylosing spondylitis (chronic inflammation that affects the spine) Lupus (an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation) Gout (a painful form of arthritis) Acute Joint Pain Acute (short-term) causes of joint pain usually go away. However, some injuries and illnesses can lead to chronic pain. These causes include: Injuries Septic arthritis (joint infection) Virtual arthritis (from illnesses such as hepatitis and HIV) Tendonitis Sprains Strains Overuse Joint Pain Treatment If your joint pain is caused by acute injury or illness, treating the underlying cause usually helps manage and eliminate the pain. Even so, if it’s severe enough, you may need to find ways to manage it until you feel better. For joint pain from chronic conditions, your treatment will likely be ongoing for the rest of your life. Some people find relief from a single treatment, but it’s more common to use several types. Medications Multiple classes of medications are used to treat joint pain. These types of drugs include anti-inflammatories, opioids, and more. Anti-Inflammatories To treat basic inflammation from any source, anti-inflammatory drugs are a mainstay. Corticosteroids (also called steroids) are powerful anti-inflammatories. However, they also have a high rate of side effects and complications, so they’re preferred for short-term use only. Oral (by mouth) steroids are by prescription only. Examples include: Cortisone Dexamethasone Methylprednisone Prednisone Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) come in over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription varieties. OTC NSAIDs are: Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), and Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). Some NSAIDs only available by prescription are: Celebrex (celecoxib) Voltaren (diclofenac) Mobic (meloxicam) Relafen (nabumetone) Due to possible side effects and complications, you shouldn’t stay on NSAIDs longer than you need to. Acetaminophen Acetaminophen is the drug in Tylenol and many other prescription and OTC products. It’s effective at treating pain but doesn’t reduce inflammation, so it’s less commonly used for arthritis. Tylenol, Advil, Aleve: What's the Difference? Opioids Opioids (also called opiates or narcotics) are powerful but problematic painkillers. Their potential for addiction has put them at the center of a nationwide epidemic of overuse and overdose. That’s led to limited access for the people who need them for pain management. Opioids change the way your brain processes pain signals to make you care less about the pain. Common ones include: Codeine Fentanyl Morphine OxyContin/Percocet (oxycodone) Opana (oxymorphone) Vicodin (hydrocodone/acetaminophen) Arthritis Medications A few classes of prescription arthritis drugs provide relief to millions of people with chronic joint pain. These include disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine), and biologics, like Enbrel (etanercept) and Humira (adalimumab). Opioid Abuse: Signs, Effects, Treatments Topical Agents Topical treatments are ones you use on your skin. They come in creams, gels, patches, and other forms. Several topical agents can be very effective for joint pain. Common active ingredients include: Capsaicin CBD (cannabidiol, derived from hemp) Corticosteroids Lidocaine Menthol NSAIDs Salicylates Topical medications can cause side effects, just like their oral counterparts. So be sure to handle them carefully and follow the manufacturer’s directions. The 9 Best Arthritis Creams of 2023 Injections Several types of injections are available for joint pain. These need to be given by a healthcare provider in a medical setting. Injections are a good way to get pain relief inside the joint, where needed. Examples include: Aspiration (needle withdraws excess fluid to ease pressure) Corticosteroids (for inflammation) Hyaluronic acid (a natural joint lubricant) Platelet-rich plasma (anti-inflammatory and immune-system calming effects) Prolotherapy (a series of injections that stimulate the healing of damaged tissues) Sometimes lidocaine (a topical anesthetic) is injected to help with pain management. It’s less common, though, because it doesn’t address the inflammation or other underlying causes of joint pain. Physical Therapy Physical therapy aims to relieve joint pain and get your body moving better through strength and flexibility. This may involve: Improved postureIncreased strength and flexibilityModifying the way you use a jointUsing braces, splints, and other joint-supporting productsLearning to use assistive devices (walkers, canes)Changes to your environment, such as ergonomic products Your physical therapist may also do several things to help relieve your pain, including: Heat and/or cold therapy Massage Ultrasound Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Physical Therapy Goals for Arthritis At-Home Treatments You can do several things at home to help alleviate your joint pain. Home remedies include: Resting Choosing appropriate activity levels Stretching Heat therapy (warm baths or showers, heating pads) Cold therapy (ice packs) Getting enough sleep Eating a healthy diet Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight How to Properly Ice an Injury When to See a Healthcare Provider You should see a healthcare provider for your joint pain if: It’s not gone after several daysYou also have severe, unexplained pain and swelling, especially with other unexplained symptomsYou also have a fever but no flu symptomsYou’ve lost 10 or more pounds without trying If your healthcare provider suspects arthritis, they may order tests or refer you to a rheumatologist. What Is an Arthritis Treatment Center Summary Joint pain from arthritis can be chronic or acute, depending on the underlying cause. Treatment depends on the cause. Joint pain treatments generally involve anti-inflammatories and arthritis medications, topical treatments, injections, physical therapy, and home care. A Word From Verywell Joint pain, especially when chronic, can have a significant impact on your quality of life. It’s not something you have to live with, though. With proper treatment, you can get your symptoms under control and enjoy your life. The first step is seeing your healthcare provider. Frequently Asked Questions What is the fastest way to reduce joint inflammation? The fastest way to reduce inflammation is icing. Put an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables on the sore area for 20 minutes several times a day. Why does arthritis hurt more at night? One theory is that it’s due to lower cortisol levels, which regulate inflammation. It’s also possible lying down triggers pain more or that the lack of distraction makes you more aware of the pain. Learn More: Sleep Problems in Arthritis Is apple cider vinegar good for arthritis? Some alternative medical professionals tout apple cider vinegar as a remedy for arthritis. It may have anti-inflammatory properties, but there’s no scientific evidence that it’s helpful for arthritis. Learn More: Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. MedlinePlus. Joint pain. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. Oral corticosteroid medications. National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse. What are prescription opioids? Arthritis Foundation. Topical treatments for arthritis pain. Arthritis Foundation. Joint injections for arthritis pain. Arthritis Foundation. Physical therapy for arthritis. Arthritis Foundation. Your body’s internal clock affects arthritis symptoms. By Adrienne Dellwo Adrienne Dellwo is an experienced journalist who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and has written extensively on the topic. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit