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Put a handful of ice into a plastic bag and wrap it with a towel. Or, pull out a cold compress from the freezer. Place this on your painful joints for a maximum of 4-5 times a day, 15 minutes each time. The ice reduces pain by slowing down the blood flow to your joints. This minimizes any swelling, which helps the area to heal. Never place ice directly on your skin, as it can cause an ice burn. Instead, always wrap the cold pack in a towel. Get an electric heating pad, gel pack, or heat wrap. You can keep heating pads or wraps on you for hours, as long as they don't provide any discomfort. With more intense heating options, such as microwaved gel packs, it's best to not exceed 30-minute intervals at a time. The heat will cause the tissue around the joint to relax, which can minimize or mask your pain. You can also try taking a hot shower or bath. Use heat therapy a maximum of 4-5 times per day. Otherwise, you risk irritating the surrounding skin. Go to the grocery store or pharmacy and pick up some pain relief medications. Follow the directions on these medications carefully and do not take more than one of them at a time, unless directed by your doctor. They will provide you with temporary relief. However, if you need something stronger or for long-term, talk with your doctor. For example, ibuprofen is an OTC medication often recommended for joint pain and swelling. You'll usually take a pill every 4-8 hours. Make sure you don't take ibuprofen for more than 10 days, and follow the dosage instructions on the label. If possible, try to take acetaminophen instead of ibuprofen. Acetaminophen doesn't provide as much relief, but it's safer for your gastrointestinal tract. You can get this cream over-the-counter or from your doctor. Rub it onto your painful joints at least 4 times daily for a period of 2 weeks. The capsaicin should misdirect the pain receptors in your brain, which lessens the soreness in your joints. Capsaicin is also found in hot peppers. However, there is little evidence that eating lots of peppers will result in pain relief. Most capsaicin creams are more concentrated. Place your hands directly around the painful joint and slowly press into the muscle. Pull your hands in the direction of your chest to improve blood flow and lessen stiffness in the joint. You can also go to a professional masseuse. Submerging your joint in a massaging water tank, like they have at some gyms, can help, too. If even small movements of a particular joint causes you pain, then wrap it up in an Ace bandage. You can also talk with your doctor about using a splint or brace, depending on how often you'll need to wear it. Some people use canes or crutches as well, but that is less for pain and more for mobility. Many people find that wrapping their joints is a particularly good idea at night. If they toss and turn in their sleep, the joint will cause them less pain. Place the bandage slightly above the irritated joint. Then, after 1-2 horizontal wraps, cross the bandage over the joint. Wrap in a figure-eight motion until the joint is secured. Finish with a horizontal wrap below the joint and secure the bandage.
Apply an ice pack for 15 minutes. Apply heat to the irritated joint. Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Apply capsaicin cream. Massage the area. Wrap your joints.