But is CBD really worth the hype?

In many situations, yes, especially if you’re looking for a natural pain management solution. We’ve compiled seven benefits of using CBD for pain management below so you can decide if cannabidiol extract is right for you.

1. CBD COMES IN MANY FORMS

Hate swallowing pills or capsules? Many people take CBD orally, but that’s not your only option. You can also try tinctures or oils, vape CBD, gobble down edibles, or massage CBD-infused lotion into your skin. Let’s do a brief rundown of each method below:

CBD PILLS AND CAPSULES

Pills and capsules are typically filled with a liquid version of CBD combined with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. Depending on your digestive system, you can take CBD capsules with or without food. However, there may be a delay in symptom relief, as you have to wait until your body breaks down the capsule and distributes its contents.

You can get CBD pills without a prescription, but the FDA has approved a cannabidiol prescription drug called Epidiolex for epilepsy patients.

OILS AND TINCTURES

People who dislike pills often appreciate the convenience of tinctures that you ingest. Simply place a drop of the tincture under your tongue and wait for pain relief.

Oils are sometimes edible, but they’re generally designed for topical use. When using CBD for pain management, apply the oil where you have aches, burning, tingling, or stiffness.

LOTIONS AND CREAMS

CBD lotions and creams are made for topical use. You can massage these products directly into your skin for fast-acting pain relief as well as skin-moisturizing benefits.

GUMMIES AND OTHER EDIBLES

CBD edibles often come in candy form. You can find gummy bears, fruit chews, caramels, and chocolate with CBD on the ingredient list. Some people make their own edibles by adding food-grade CBD oil to brownies or cookie dough.

CBD FOR VAPING

Vaporized CBD oil goes straight from your lungs to your bloodstream, providing fast relief from painful symptoms. Be careful, though — vaping anything, even natural CBD oil, may still damage your health.

With so many options available, from pills to vaping, it’s easy to find a way to incorporate CBD into your pain management routine. If you aren’t sure which form of CBD is right for you, experiment with a few different types to figure out which offers the most benefits.

2. DIFFERENT TYPES OF CBD EXTRACTS ARE AVAILABLE

Shopping for CBD products can feel overwhelming, and many people wonder: Are all these products the same, just with different labels? The answer is no, they’re not — and we’ll explain why.

Check out the label or ingredient list on the CBD product you want to try. You may notice terms such as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate. These words describe the type of CBD inside.

Let’s quickly break down each term to help you choose CBD for pain management or other purposes:

HEMP SEED OIL

Despite common misconceptions, hemp seed oil is not the same as CBD oil, nor does it contain any phytocannabinoids. Hemp seed oil is derived from hemp seeds during a cold-press process. Hemp can be a part of a heart-healthy diet but look for another product if you actually want CBD.

CBD ISOLATE

As its name suggests, CBD isolate contains CBD. However, you won’t find any other phytocannabinoids in this simple compound.

BROAD SPECTRUM

Broad-spectrum CBD products are a step up from isolates. They contain all of a plant’s phytocannabinoids, but they don’t have any THC (the drug found in marijuana associated with causing a “high”).

FULL SPECTRUM

Full-spectrum CBD products offer numerous nutritional benefits for your body. If you buy a full-spectrum product, you’re getting something derived from the entire cannabis plant, including the parts with THC, CBC, and CBG. These are phytocannabinoids that help reduce pain signals in the brain.

NANO CBD

Nano CBD is made from shrunken molecules that are water soluble. It’s ideal for people who need an easy-to-digest CBD product that delivers nearly immediate symptom relief.

The form of CBD you choose depends on what you plan to treat. If you want to enhance your overall well-being, choose a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum product. Topical isolates may work well for patients who just want to manage pain in a specific location.

3. CBD HELPS REDUCE JOINT INFLAMMATION

If you’ve read some of our other blog posts, you may remember that inflammation is the culprit behind numerous symptoms and conditions we treat at NorthEast Spine and Sports Medicine.

Wondering what that has to do with CBD?

Well, research indicates that CBD helps reduce inflammation in the joints, particularly when osteoarthritis is involved. The 2017 study found that not only does CBD help reduce pain, it also helps prevent nerve damage when administered via injections. Thwarting the development of nerve damage in arthritic patients may help stop the condition from worsening.

4. CBD HAS ANTIFUNGAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES

If you’ve got slow-healing wounds from diabetes or other conditions, CBD may help enhance your recovery. CBD has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which can speed up your recovery time and also fend off infections.

When using CBD for wounds or blisters, you may want to apply it directly to the affected area rather than ingesting it. This helps create a protective barrier around the injured skin and ensure that nutrients are distributed where they’re needed most.

5. CBD MIMICS THE EFFECTS OF PRESCRIPTION PAIN RELIEF MEDICATIONS

Like prescription medicines, cannabis works by activating receptors in your brain. When this happens, your receptors are basically saying, “Hey body, your pain is gone!” even if an injury or ailment still exists.

CBD isn’t just a brain-receptor manipulator, though. It has anti-inflammatory properties, so it addresses symptoms directly at their source rather than just masking your pain. Yes, you may experience relief before you’re fully healed, but CBD also helps your body repair itself.

6. CBD TREATS NUMEROUS HEALTH CONDITIONS AND CONCERNS

Trouble sleeping? Stressed at work? Battling back pain?

CBD can help with all of these issues. You can also use CBD for relief from arthritis pain, foot pain, scratches and scrapes, headaches, and some digestive problems. CBD may even enhance your existing pain management treatments for sciatica and other hard-to-treat conditions.

Conflicting information is available about the benefits of CBD tinctures and capsules for cancer treatment. Speak to a medical provider before you replace your current treatments with CBD products.

7. CBD IS EASILY ATTAINABLE

Now that many forms of CBD are legal options for pain management, it’s easy to find the types and formulas you need. You can order CBD online, get it from a health food store, find it at medical offices, or even get it at some pharmacies — without a prescription, of course.

CBD is often affordable when compared with other options for pain management, such as prescription pain pills and surgery, and no appointment is required before you purchase CBD.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound found in the cannabis sativa plant. When applied topically or consumed through smoke inhalation or edible consumption, CBD interacts with neuroreceptors in your endocannabinoid system, which sends signals between your cells to help regulate your movement, mood, homeostasis and immune system.

For individuals with lower back pain, the condition can significantly impact their daily activities. There are several ways to help patients living with lower back pain to improve their quality of life and enable them to partake in activities as normal.

Low-impact exercises and stretching

It is important for individuals with lower back pain to stay physically active and maintain the strength and flexibility of the muscles that provide support to the spine and lower back. Stretching and low-impact exercises are the most beneficial practices for this purpose, as they help to increase strength without adding to the stress and strain on the area.

Some of the activities that may be particularly helpful in reducing the symptoms of lower back pain include:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Yoga

If patients have had a prolonged period of inactivity, reintroducing this type of low-impact exercise to regain strength is especially important.

Stretching is important to improve the flexibility of the connective tissues and can help to prevent worsening of lower back pain. This is essential before and after any physical activity that may put a strain on the back muscles.

Image Credit: Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com

Posture

Another influential factor in the development of lower back pain is the way that people hold their bodies while standing or sitting. All patients should be advised to avoid slouching and focus on keeping a good posture constantly, as this helps to reduce the abnormal curvature of the spine.

Some good tips to improve posture include:

• Use work surfaces that are at a comfortable height for the individual.
• Adjust the seat to the appropriate position and height for the task.
• Opt for a chair with good lumbar support.
• Keep the shoulders back and the back straight.
• Move around and stretch muscles regularly during intervals to relieve muscle tension.
• Place a small firm pillow behind the lower back to increase lumbar support.
• Wear comfortable footwear.
• Sleep on a firm surface.
• Avoid sleeping on the stomach.

Diet and lifestyle

Excess weight is associated with an increased risk of lower back pain due to the additional stress the weight puts on the spine and connective tissues. For this reason, it is helpful for people affected by lower back pain to lose weight if they are too heavy.

Both regular physical activity and a healthy diet are important for achieving sustainable weight loss. A diet with an adequate intake of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D should be recommended to promote the strengthening of bones.

Smoking reduces the blood flow to the lower spine; as a result, smokers are more likely to be affected by spinal disc degeneration, osteoporosis, coughing, and lower back pain. Therefore, it is recommended for patients with lower back pain who smoke to quit as soon as possible.

Mental health

Individuals with chronic lower back pain are more likely to suffer from psychological disorders, such as depression, due to the effects of the condition. It can be difficult to cope with the lifestyle changes that lower back pain can necessitate.

Another challenge is the difficulty people may experience in going about their normal daily routine. Additionally, people with lower back pain who opt for bed rest have a further heightened risk of depression.

It is important for patients to have a strong support network and continue to participate in activities that they enjoy. With appropriate pain management techniques, it should be possible for patients to resume such activities, which helps to improve their quality of life and mental health.

Prevention

Lower back pain is most often caused by mechanical stress or strain to the spine or connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments in the lower back.

Certain activities can increase the risk of mechanical stress developing or worsening lower back pain. These include heavy lifting, poor posture, repetitive motion, vibration, and contact stress. As a result, individuals affected by or prone to lower back pain may benefit from avoiding such activities.

Sleep should be a restorative process for our bodies, but for some people, it triggers pain that can keep them awake.

Lying down can put strain on our hips in a few ways:

• If you sleep on your side, you are applying direct force to the hip that is down.
• The hip that is raised can pull down on tendons and muscle.
• Even sleeping on your back can cause awkward stress on your pelvis.

“Any kind of pain at rest is not normal and is a sign of injury or illness,” says Jeffrey Charen, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at JFK University Medical Center and Raritan Bay Medical Center . “If you are experiencing persistent pain while resting, it’s time to get help from your doctor.”

Signs that you may have a hip problem usually begins well before bedtime. Issues often exist as pain when you rotate the hip, pain in the groin that radiates into the thigh or buttocks, pain while walking, difficulty putting on socks and shoes, and pain when you stand up and start walking. If you experience pain in your hip that gets worse at bedtime, one of a few common conditions could be the culprit.

Arthritis

As we age, our chances of developing arthritis increase. So if you are over age 45—but especially if you are over age 60—arthritis could be the cause of your hip pain. “Arthritis is a broad term used to describe the deterioration of joints from a variety of causes, including disease and wear and tear,” says Dr. Charen. “Over-the-counter treatment may only provide symptom relief, so talk to your doctor about other treatment options.”

Tendinitis

If you are under 45 years old, it’s less likely that arthritis is causing your pain. You could be suffering from tendinitis—the inflammation of a tendon—which is usually felt near a joint. Lower back pain can commonly show up as hip pain. Some people develop this condition from overuse in recreational activities or even in the workplace. “Tendinitis can usually be treated with rest, stretching, strengthening exercises and precautions to prevent reinjury,” says Dr. Charen. If these measures don’t provide relief, your doctor can suggest other therapies or surgery if necessary.

Bursitis

Like tendinitis, bursitis is an inflammatory condition usually caused by overuse. It affects small sacs of fluid that cushion joints. “Bursitis usually goes away on its own with rest,” says Dr. Charen. “But if it persists, talk to your doctor. You may find relief from medication, surgery, assistive devices or therapy.”

Tight Muscles

The muscles and bones of our body are connected. Pain in your hip could be caused by tight muscles in your back, buttocks, legs and abdomen. If these muscles are tense, they can pull on bones like your thigh bone, which can cause discomfort. Light stretching can typically relieve tension.

If you’ve ever suffered from aches and pains in your back, you’re not alone: According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 75 to 85 percent of Americans experience back pain at some point in their lives.

But knowing what’s causing your pain can be challenging. “The most common complaint is what we characterize as non-specific low back pain, which means we haven’t identified a specific underlying source for why that individual has back pain,” says Craig Van Dien, M.D., a sports medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. “In most cases, this is muscle-based pain or a muscle strain.”

What Are the Causes of Back Pain?

A muscle strain or pulled muscle is a common cause of back pain and happens when you injure the tendon or ligaments by overusing or misusing your back muscles.

Anyone can pull a muscle. Factors that can contribute to the problem include:

• Aging
• Lack of exercise or not warming up before exercising
• Excess body weight
• Bad posture
• Sitting for long periods of time

Certain health conditions can also cause back pain, including:

• A herniated disc that may be pressing on nerves
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
• Osteoporosis or osteoarthritis
• Pancreatitis or kidney stones
• Infections and cancer, in rare cases

Back Pain Symptoms

If you’ve strained a back muscle, you may experience a dull pain and stiffness in your back, with an overall feeling of aches and pains. Symptoms include:

• Pain that gets worse when you move, especially when bending or stretching
• Difficulty standing up straight
• Swelling or bruising in a specific area
• Sharp or achy pain, usually limited to the lower back and buttocks area
• Spasm-like pain or cramps

To identify the cause of back pain, Dr. Van Dien says that looking at the absence of symptoms can also be helpful. “When patients come in with back pain, and the pain is of muscular origin, generally that exam is void of any sort of findings that would suggest that there’s a nerve-based problem or something more significant going on,” he explains.

Symptoms that suggest a more serious condition include:

• Fever, chills or night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• New bowel or bladder problems
• Pain that spreads down the legs
• Pain that lasts more than a few weeks
• Severe pain unrelieved by rest
• Weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs

If you are experiencing any of those symptoms, it’s best to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. “We don’t want you to ignore these symptoms. It’s extremely important to have a doctor evaluate you and rule out anything more serious,” says Dr. Van Dien.

How to Treat a Pulled Muscle

Prevention should always be the primary goal:

• Maintain strong abdominal and back core muscles to help stabilize your spine and prevent strain on back muscles.
• Live a healthy lifestyle, including weight management and low-impact aerobic exercises, to build muscle strength and prevent strain.
• Maintain a neutral posture when sitting or standing.
• Utilize leg muscles instead of back muscles when lifting objects to prevent back muscle fatigue and injury.

“Muscular back pain usually goes away after several weeks of home care,” says Dr. Van Dien. “Despite the popular belief that you must rest, early mobilization and walking following an acute back strain will help keep muscles loose and prevent further lower back tightness. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication and alternating ice and heat can be helpful with the initial onset of pain. Your doctor may also recommend a course of physical therapy.”

Whether you suffer from arthritis pain, are an athlete looking to find relief from an injury, or you tweaked your knee doing yard work – chances are you’ve probably reached for a bottle of topical pain relief before. These over-the-counter products are applied directly to the skin and come in gels, creams, sprays and patches.

Bengay, Icy Hot and Biofreeze are common brands of these products, but how exactly do they work?

Pain management specialist Robert Bolash, MD, talks about finding pain relief and what you need to know about these products.

Q: What ingredients are in topical pain relievers and how do they work?

A: Over-the-counter topical pain relievers often include methyl salicylate (also known as oil of wintergreen). This ingredient gives topical pain relievers that minty smell and creates a cooling sensation when applied to the skin.

Methyl salicylate is often used as counterirritant, which basically acts as a distraction to pain points. Depending on the product and the other ingredients in it, these rub on treatments may also contain a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). You know NSAIDs from medicines like ibuprofen and aspirin. When it’s absorbed into the skin it can decrease the inflammatory reaction.

Some topical pain relievers also contain capsaicin, which is a compound found in chili peppers and is responsible for producing a warming sensation.

Other products may contain menthol, also known as mint camphor, which causes a cooling sensation and can trick the mind into thinking that the skin or body temperature is dropping. In return, this cooling feeling desensitizes the nerve endings. Like ice or cold packs, menthol decreases arterial blood flow.

Q: Why would someone use a topical pain reliever?

A: Topical pain relievers work best on acute musculoskeletal pain, rather than chronic pain. So if you have a nagging sore neck or pulled a muscle in your shoulder, you might benefit from slathering on a layer.

These products are also used to treat:

• Arthritis.
• Minor aches and pains.
• Pulled or sore muscles.
• Sprains and strains.

Discomfort and pain associated with cancer has also been shown to improve from topical pain relievers.

Q: Gels, creams, sprays or patches – what’s best?

A: It all comes down to personal preference, but it’s important to review the active ingredients in each product. If you’re looking for an easy-to-apply spray that contains capsaicin, it might only come in a gel form. So read the label and decide what you’re looking for first.

A patch typically works well on an area where it can be applied to a flat surface, so it might be best to reach for this product with back or neck pain. On the other hand, a cream or gel might be best for a sore elbow or knee so that the joint can still move and bend.

Q: Can topical pain relievers be dangerous?

A: It’s important to use these products as directed. Although it’s extremely rare, there have been instances where overuse and misuse has led to serious side effects and even death due to salicylate poisoning.

Never mix these products with heat, such as from a heating pad. Doing so could cause the product to be absorbed into the blood stream at a faster rate.

If you use a topical pain reliever be sure to:

• Read the label carefully before applying the product.
• Do not apply to open wounds or skin that is already injured or irritated.
• Do not apply near your eyes or genitals.
• Do not use with heat, especially a heating pad or hot water.
• Stop use if you develop a rash and tell your doctor.
• If the burning sensation is too painful and uncomfortable, use a towel to remove the product from your skin.

Experts recommend to not use topical pain relievers (of any kind) if you’re pregnant.

Q: At what point should you stop using a topical pain reliever and see a doctor

A: Most topical pain relievers should not be used over seven days. Using it for longer than directed could result in a rash or sometimes even a chemical burn. Stop use if your condition worsens or the area becomes irritated.

If your stubborn pain just won’t quit, it might be time to bring in the big guns and talk with your doctor. He or she can help you solve the problem of your nagging pain and might even prescribe a prescription based topical pain reliever.

Arthritis is a disease of joints, characterized most commonly by joint swelling, stiffness, and pain.

Although several studies suggest that drinking alcohol is associated with a lower chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis, there are also numerous studies showing that drinking alcohol is detrimental to those with joint disease.

How is alcohol consumption linked with arthritis?

There are studies claiming that drinking alcohol in moderation can reduces the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is a type of arthritis associated with joint inflammation.

Low-level alcohol has been associated with lower levels of certain proinflammatory mediators, such as C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) receptor 2, and interleukin-6.

Although it has been shown that patients with RA who drink small amounts of alcohol have improved quality of life, this may actually reflect the fact that people who feel ill (for example, due to chronic disease) may be less likely to drink alcohol.

A recent study showed that lower disease severity may not be due to beneficial effects of alcohol, because patients with higher disease intensity, comorbidities, disabilities, and poor quality of life are more likely to quit drinking and less likely to eventually initiate its use.

It has also been found that drinking red wine in moderation can reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis. One of the ingredients in red wine, which is called resveratrol, is known to have anti-inflammatory effects and is beneficial for arthritis. However, for a person who already has arthritis, alcohol consumption can be detrimental.

Any small benefits of alcohol that may occur are not sufficient reason for a non-drinker to begin consuming alcohol.

How alcohol consumption impacts arthritis?

According to the American College of Rheumatology, people with RA who take antimetabolites (medicines that interfere with metabolism of natural substrates) should strictly restrict alcohol drinking to avoid possible liver damage. However, some recent studies indicate that drinking alcohol less that one ounce a day (14 units of alcohol/week) is not associated with increased risk of liver damage. Further studies are needed to see if these results are consistent across patient groups.

In the scientific literature, there is no direct indication on beneficial or detrimental effects of alcohol on arthritis.

According to experts, the effects of alcohol largely depend on the medicines that are used to treat arthritis, as well as the amount and frequency of drinking and pre-existence of certain risk factors.

The detrimental effects of alcohol are especially evident in patients with gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis associated with high levels of uric acid in the blood.

Foods or drinks that are rich in purine (an aromatic organic compound), such as beer, distilled liquor, and wine, are known to trigger gout attacks. Moreover, grain-based alcohol, such as beer, that contains gluten is known to trigger joint pain and flare-up the symptoms of RA. Thus, it is clear that persons with gout should not drink alcohol.

What are the negative effects of alcohol on arthritis?

Many of the medicines that are used to treat arthritis do not go well with alcohol. The adversity of alcohol in arthritis patients largely depends on it. For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines increase the risk of stomach bleeding and ulcer in arthritis patients who drink alcohol. Similarly, antimetabolites, when consumed together with alcohol, put the patients at higher risk of liver damage, such as hepatic fibrosis.

The main reason behind liver damage is that both alcohol and medicine are metabolized in the liver; thus, consumption of both substances together at the same time can put extra pressure on the liver and accelerate the chance of liver toxicity.

To avoid such possibilities, doctors sometimes prescribe certain disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs that are mild and with minimal side-effects.

Alcohol can also exert negative effects by interfering with sleep quality and quantity. It is known that RA is associated with sleep disturbance, and sleep deprivation due to alcohol use can increase joint pain, exacerbate depression, and reduce physical activity in RA patients.

Since alcohol contains a lot of calories and added sugar, its daily consumption can lead to increased body fat and weight gain, which can also worsen arthritis symptoms.

In addition, a routine alcohol consumption can cause fat deposition in blood vessels and reduce the blood supply to bone tissues, leading to necrosis or cell death.

Another major disadvantage of alcohol consumption is dehydration, which causes reduction in joint lubrication and worsening of joint pain.

It also reduces the body’s nutrient content, leading to suppression of the immune system and aggravation of joint inflammation.

Is there any benefit of alcohol consumption in arthritis?

According to the American Heart Association, drinking alcohol in moderation is associated with reduced rate of heart disease-related mortality in some patients. However, research over the past several decades has shown that the small benefits that may be conferred from consuming small amounts of alcohol are overweighed by the negative effects on most body systems.

Even for arthritis, it is not clear whether low-level alcohol consumption helps some patients or if it merely reflects a lower likelihood of consuming alcohol that occurs among patients who already have arthritis.

Arthritis is one of the most common ailments among American adults. Over 20% (about 54 million people) suffer from some form of arthritis in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Arthritis can cause debilitating joint pain and is the leading cause of workplace disability according to the CDC, and accounts for over $100 billion in medical costs every year.

While osteoarthritis (the most common form of arthritis in the U.S.) is a common cause of joint pain, it’s not the only one. There are other factors that can cause short term joint pain that usually clears up without causing lasting damage to the joint.

The difference between acute joint pain and arthritis

Acute joint pain comes on suddenly and usually doesn’t result from an underlying condition or damage to the joint. Some of the possible causes of acute joint pain other than arthritis include:

• Bursitis
• Strains and sprains
• Gout
• Inflammation from trauma
• Overuse

Depending on the underlying cause and severity, acute joint pain is usually treated with rest, icing, medication, and physical therapy if needed. Depending on the cause, acute joint pain usually clears up within a few weeks with self care and conservative treatment.

Signs and symptoms of arthritis

Chronic joint pain (long term pain that persists for weeks or months) may be a sign of arthritis and joint damage. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, the most common of which is osteoarthritis, which results from wear and tear on the joints over time.

Rheumatoid arthritis, another common form of arthritis, also causes joint damage and deterioration over time, but results from an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints.

Some of the signs and symptoms of arthritis-related joint pain include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Limited or decreased range of motion

It can be difficult to tell whether your joint pain is the result of temporary inflammation or arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation recommends that you keep track of your symptoms and if the pain and stiffness feels worse at a certain time of day, after physical activity or rest, and the duration of your symptoms.

If your symptoms last more than a few weeks, get progressively worse, or you develop other symptoms like a fever or a rash, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Know your risk factors

Anyone can develop arthritis, but some people may have a higher risk due to factors like age, family history, previous joint damage or injury, or underlying health problems like obesity.

Whether you overdid it on the tennis courts or have been typing way too much, there are many reasons why one or more of your joints might be achy.

If you suffer from joint pain, you’re not alone. It’s hard to get exact numbers on how many people struggle with the issue, given that it can be caused by a slew of different things, but one national survey found that up to 30% of adults in the U.S. reported having some form of joint pain in the last 30 days.

Joint pain is defined as experiencing discomfort around one or more of your joints, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. While general pain is a common signal, you may also have swelling, warmth, tenderness, redness, and pain with movement around the area.

In rare instances, your joint pain might be a signal that something pretty serious is going on, such as a sexually transmitted disease or an autoimmune disorder. But in many cases, it’s likely your joints are hurting due to a more common issue. Here’s a look at some of the conditions that could be making you sore, ranging from the more common to rare.

1. You’re simply getting older.

Your joints have been supporting you your entire life, and that can be hard on them over time—especially when it comes to weight-bearing joints like your knees and hips, says Michael B. Gerhardt, M.D., a sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles. Cartilage, a gel-like substance that helps cushion your joints, also wears down with time, he says.

“Joint pain is extremely common as you age,” Dr. Gerhardt says. “Most of us, if we are fortunate enough to live long enough, will develop some sort of joint pain.”

In addition to your knees and hips, you can also develop joint pain in your shoulders over time. “The source is often repetitive lifting and reaching activities,” says Gregory Gasbarro, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at The Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Center at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

2. An older injury is stirring up problems again.

Having an injury earlier in your life—whether it was treated or untreated—can increase your risk of having joint pain later, Dr. Gasbarro says.

There are a few different ways this can happen, but problems like a ligament tear, tendon issues, or a bone fracture can lead to inflammation over time, Dr. Gerhardt says. Even though a doctor can help you manage symptoms, they can’t go back in time and erase the injury. “So, if you had a ligament tear in your knee in your 20s, for example, it sets you up for arthritis 10, 20, or 30 years later,” he says.

3. You’re dealing with bursitis.

Bursitis is the swelling of the bursa, a small, fluid-filled sac that acts like a cushion between a bone and other moving body parts, like your muscles, tendons, or skin, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).

Bursitis can cause swelling and pain around your muscles, bones, and joints. Bursa are found in many parts of your body, but bursitis happens the most often in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles, “In the bursa, there are a high concentration of nerves that create pain when there is swelling and inflammation due to a traumatic or overuse injury,” Dr. Gasbarro says.

You can also develop bursitis from an unrelated injury, like limping after you have low back pain—that can lead to bursitis in your knee or hip, Dr. Gerhardt says.

4. A thyroid issue could be the underlying problem.

Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck, and it makes hormones that control the way your body uses energy. Those hormones impact many different functions in your body, and it “allows your joints and muscles to be lubricated and stay healthy,” Dr. Gerhardt says.

If you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough of the thyroid hormones that your body needs. “That can adversely affect your joints and make you vulnerable to joint discomfort or injury,” Dr. Gerhardt says.

5. It could be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is different than the wear-and-tear kind (osteoarthritis) that commonly develops with age.

RA is an autoimmune disorder, and it disproportionally targets women: Of the more than 1.3 million people who have it, 75% are female. “It’s worrisome to see in young patients,” says Orrin Troum, M.D., a rheumatologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. He explains that he’s seen new mothers with such bad inflammation in their hands that they struggle to care for their babies.

Tender, swollen joints and feeling stiff in the morning are classic RA symptoms. You might also have fatigue, fever, or weight loss you can’t explain.

Although not all these causes of joint pain can be cured, they can be treated. Some will require a course of antibiotics or other prescription meds. Others may improve on their own with time and rest. But any lingering pain in your joints should be reason enough to check in with your primary care doctor. They’ll likely refer you to a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in arthritis, to make sure you get the right diagnosis and treatment you (and your aching joints) need.

6. Or, it could be infectious (septic) arthritis.

If you get a cut or puncture wound and don’t clean it well with soap and water, “a nearby joint can get infected with common bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus,” says Dr. Troum. You’ll notice intense swelling and pain in the area, and fever and chills could follow.

Knees are the most commonly affected joint, but hips, ankles, and wrists are also likely targets. You might need IV antibiotics, and your doctor might need to drain fluid from the infected joint. Left untreated, septic arthritis can lead to full-body sepsis, which can be fatal.

7. You may have gout.

Protein is an incredibly important nutrient that helps you stay satiated, build muscle, and feel energized—but you can have too much of a good thing.

“If you eat too much protein, your body produces a lot of uric acid and can’t excrete all of it from your body,” explains Luga Podesta, M.D., a sports medicine physician and regenerative orthopedic specialist in Florida. “This causes an intense inflammatory reaction.”

It’s called gout, and it’s one of the most painful types of arthritis you can experience. Symptoms of gout like heat, swelling, redness, and hard-to-ignore pain commonly appear first in your big toe, then spread to other joints.

Protein overload isn’t the only risk factor. Drinking too much alcohol or sugary drinks, getting dehydrated, or taking certain types of medicines (like beta-blockers) can also bring on a bout of gout. Carrying too much weight puts you at risk as well.

8. Lyme disease could be lurking.

Every year, a reported 30,000 people are bitten by a tick carrying the Borrelia burgdorferi or Borrelia mayonii bacteria that cause Lyme disease. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that true number is much higher—up to 300,000.

“The tick latches onto your skin to suck blood out of your body, but its head has an infection that gets into your bloodstream,” Dr. Podesta explains. Early symptoms of Lyme include fatigue, fever, headache, and in many cases, a bullseye-shaped rash. “Still, it can be difficult to diagnose if you’re not in an area endemic to ticks,” says Dr. Podesta.

If you don’t figure out that you have Lyme disease so you can treat it, the bacteria can spread to your joints, especially your knees. You might also develop neck stiffness and sore hands and feet. Over time, your heart and nervous system may be affected as well.

9. It could be a symptoms of lupus.

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder “can wreck all your joints if left untreated,” says Dr. Troum. People with lupus have an overactive immune system that can mistakenly target joints, as well as skin, blood, kidneys, and other organs.

Along with swollen, painful joints, you may develop a butterfly-shaped rash across your cheeks, but symptoms are different for everyone. Hair loss, trouble breathing, memory problems, mouth sores, and dry eyes and mouth can also be signs of lupus.

10. Gonorrhea could be to blame.

This sexually transmitted disease (STD) doesn’t just affect your genitals; it can also wreak havoc on your joints, as it causes a painful condition called gonococcal arthritis. It affects women more than men and, surprisingly, is most common among sexually active teen girls.

If you have it, you may develop one hot, red, swollen joint (though some people end up with several painful large joints), along with other STD symptoms, says Dr. Troum. Those might include a burning sensation when you urinate, as well as penis discharge or increased vaginal discharge.