Have you ever experienced persistent joint pain and wondered whether it was a temporary symptom or a sign of something more serious? Often confused with other types of pain, arthritis pain can have a significant impact on your quality of life. In this article, we explain how to recognize and treat this condition to help you maintain daily well-being.
Arthritis pain is pain caused by inflammation in the joints. It can stem from various types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. This inflammation causes pain, stiffness, and reduced joint mobility.
Recognizing the early signs of arthritis can help you treat your symptoms promptly. Here are the three most common symptoms of arthritis:
Unlike muscle pain, which generally occurs after physical exertion and improves with rest, arthritis pain is often felt when the body is at rest and may be worse at night or when you wake up in the morning.
Arthritis pain: Deep pain that doesn’t improve with rest and often appears in the morning
Arthritis pain is often described as a deep ache. It’s limited to the joints and often associated with morning stiffness. It may persist even when you’re resting.
Muscle pain: Occurs after physical exertion and improves with rest
Muscle pain is often associated with intense or unusual physical exertion, manifests as soreness and cramps, and subsides with rest and stretching.
After gardening all day, for example, pain in your arms that disappears after a good night’s sleep is probably muscle pain. On the other hand, if you wake up up every morning with stiff, aching fingers, this could be arthritis pain.
These two conditions are sometimes confused, as they both affect the joints and cause pain. However, they have very different causes and characteristics.
In short, arthritis is caused by inflammation, while osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear of cartilage due to repeated movements.
Knowing what’s causing your joint pain can help you choose the right treatment.
Arthritis pain: Persistent pain in the fingers, for example, that is often felt in the morning when the muscles are at rest, could be arthritis.
Osteoarthritis pain: Generally triggered by physical activity and relieved with rest, this pain can intensify at the end of the day. If, for instance, your knees hurt after a walk but feel better with rest, it could be osteoarthritis.
Tip: Paying attention to when and how your pain manifests can help you identify the cause. It can be helpful to take a moment every day to check in with the areas of your body where you feel pain. It’s important to listen to your body!
The duration of an arthritis flare-up can vary from person to person. Some last only a few days, while others can last several weeks. Inflammatory flare-ups typically present with increased pain, swelling, and stiffness that limits movement. Episodes can come on suddenly or gradually.
It’s possible to suffer from both osteoarthritis and arthritis at the same time. This can complicate diagnosis and symptom management, as these conditions can interact and intensify pain.
For example, you could have rheumatoid arthritis in your hands and osteoarthritis in your knees due to worn cartilage. In this case, your pain may vary depending on your activity, rest, and inflammatory flare-ups.
Important: If you think you have both conditions, it’s important to consult a health care professional. Once you have a diagnosis, your health care provider can put together a personalized treatment plan.
When pain is persistent, it’s easy to feel like you won’t ever find relief. However, with the right combination of treatments and lifestyle changes, you can keep your pain in check.
Natural approaches
Medication
Complementary therapies
Need advice? Our pharmaceutical team is here to advise you on products best suited to your needs. Don’t hesitate to visit your pharmacy for personalized recommendations.
Sometimes it’s the little things, like putting on your socks in the morning or climbing the stairs, that become real challenges. Incorporating a few simple habits into your routine, however, can help you regain some comfort and, above all, a measure of relief.
Staying active doesn’t have to mean running a marathon. It can be as simple as taking a short walk after dinner, doing gentle stretches i nthe morning, or taking a chair yoga class. Whatever option you choose, moving helps keep your joints supple and your muscles ready to support you.
You don’t need to overhaul your diet overnight. Start simple by adding more veggies to your meals, eating fish once a week, or switching from white bread to whole wheat bread, for example. These dietary changes can help reduce inflammation and improve your pain.
Sometimes you can feel your stress in your bones. When you can feel your anxiety climbing or your pain intensifying, taking a few minutes to breathe deeply, meditate, or just sit quietly by yourself can make a big difference. Some people also like to journal or call a loved one to talk about their feelings. All of these techniques can help you clear your mind.
Some autoimmune diseases can cause joint pain, as the immune system mistakenly attacks joints and other healthy tissue. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common of these, often affecting small joints (such as fingers) and causing persistent, symmetrical pain accompanied by morning stiffness. Lupus can also cause joint pain and swelling, often accompanied by severe fatigue.
Other conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis, Sjögren’s syndrome or scleroderma, can also cause inflammatory pain.
When pain is part of your everyday life, little adjustments often make all the difference. We’re not talking about upending your entire routine, but about making small changes to your day that work for you.
On a day-to-day basis, getting around (whether at home or out and about) is much easier when your environment is adapted to your needs. Wearing stable, comfortable shoes minimizes the impact of walking on your knees and hips. Putting a non-slip mat in your shower can prevent falls. Even something as simple as an ergonomic can opener can protect you from unnecessary finger strain.
A well-placed lumbar cushion on a chair, a cane adjusted to your height, and a shower seat can really improve your comfort. They don’t take up much space and can be a great help in your daily life.
Good quality sleep is important for pain management. A calming bedtime routine, such as turning off screens early or reading quietly, can help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Make sure your mattress provides adequate back support and that your pillow keeps your spine aligned. Sometimes, slipping a pillow between your knees or under your arms is enough to relieve pressure at night.
Chronic pain doesn’t just affect you physically. It can also take a mental toll. Talking about your feelings can help you decompress. Whether with a loved one, friend, or support group member, sharing feels good.
Be sure to consult a health care professional if you experience any of the following:
Arthritis pain can take its toll, but it doesn’t have to rule your life. By listening to your body and working with a health professional, it’s possible to find relief. Your pharmacist is there to support you every step of the way.
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Last updated on May 27, 2025
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