Live life to the fullest with a range of chronic joint pain therapies

We at Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center in Encinitas, California, and serving San Diego County, appreciate that pain can stand in the way of getting stronger and increasing your range of motion. Naturally, when it is painful to move an affected joint during physical therapy, your progress can slow or be at a standstill. Pain can also stand in the way of your embarking on an exercise program. And exercise is so beneficial to both our physical and mental health, and overall wellbeing. 

The treatments for chronic joint pain recommended and administered by our board-certified rheumatologist, Dr. Peter Lloyd, support rapid progress in physical therapy and pain-free, enjoyable exercise. The sooner we get you out of pain, the better you will start to feel, and the more “normal” your life will become. You will find yourself adding muscle mass more quickly and moving your limbs more freely as discomfort does not limit movement or prolong stiffness. 

Effective therapy starts with understanding your pain

What is manifested as joint pain can be caused by any number of conditions of interest to and representing areas of specialty for rheumatologists like Dr. Lloyd. These causes include: 

• Inflammation
• Degenerative joints
• Abnormal central pain processing

Complicating our understanding of the sources of pain is the fact that these categories and processes may overlap or exist in tandem with each other. Accordingly, therapies may be multi-dimensional and span everything from lifestyle modifications (such as weight loss) to physical therapy and a “prescribed” exercise regimen to medications. 

Many factors dictate the approach we take to addressing and relieving your pain. Our recommendations are informed by avenues not limited to your medical history, a thorough examination, diagnostic technologies such as x-rays and CT scans, and other lab tests. Depending on what we find and factors such as the nature and severity of your pain, we may suggest modifications or treatments mentioned above. Joint injections can also be quite helpful, even as we attempt to wrap our arms around the many complex sources of pain that may be at work in your case. 

Dr. Lloyd uses his considerable skill and ultrasound guidance to apply pain-relieving agents precisely, safely, and comfortably to the joint space. These agents include hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring lubricant found in our joints, eyes, and skin, as well as anti-inflammatory corticosteroids. Injection techniques may also be used to collect fluid (joint aspiration) that is then analyzed to aid in diagnosis. Sometimes, drainage of fluid may provide relief from discomfort and support better mobility. 

Enjoy your favorite hobbies and sports again

As you can see, chronic pain treated by rheumatology specialists has many potential causes as well as many options for pain relief and treatment. With many diagnostic and treatment technologies and therapies in Encinitas, there is no reason to live with the discomfort that takes away from your ability to enjoy life to the fullest. Call us right away at 760-509-2429 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Lloyd.

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