After a bout of the Chikungunya virus attack, you may often have recovered from fever, rash and other symptoms but the joint pains still persist. If this persists, you could have Chikungunya Arthritis, also known as Post Viral Arthropathy. Chikungunya fever usually affects the distal joints such as wrists, ankles, hands, knees and such and not the proximal joints such as the shoulders or the hips. The pain may make simpler tasks of getting up, lifting a glass of water or even walking seem herculean and painful. Therefore, how to reduce Chikungunya joint pain or how to treat chikungunya joint pain is a question that must be constantly crossing your mind as Chikungunya, often, makes person bed-ridden for weeks and in most cases, confines them even for months due to the joint pains. Therefore, we are here to educate you about Chikungunya Treatment for Joint Pains.

Side Effects of Chikungunya

Chikungunya fever can leave a few after effects, such as

Weakness
Pain in the joints
Fatigue
Lethargy

Why does the pain occur?

Since the virus attacks the immune system and the immune system counter attacks, the result is the pain in the various joints of the body. the immune system activates when being faced by an attack by the outer bodies and this leaves an after the attack on the body resulting in pain, locking of cartilages and joints. Also, read about: Difference between Chikungunya and Dengue Virus.

Chikungunya Treatment for Joint Pains

Although Chikungunya is not fatal, it certainly takes a toll on the body. People have known to suffer and struggle with joint pains for quite long periods of time. People suffering from Chikungunya Arthritis feel like handicaps and find it difficult to even perform simple day to day activities like walking, sitting, lifting lighter objects, and such. The doctors prescribe several methods of how to treat Chikungunya joint pain.

1. Over-the-counter Pain Relievers

The doctor prescribed pain-relieving medicines help in getting relief from pain for a shorter period and if the patient is lucky, the pains might go away altogether. But if the pains persist, it is better to switch to other methods that are less harmful to the body. Longer usage of pain relievers may harm the liver and the kidneys.

2. Exercises

The doctors advise light and simple exercises in order to keep the fluidity in the joints, thus, is one of the best chikungunya treatment for joint pains. Non-movements for a longer period of time can cause them to become stiff and more painful. It is advisable to keep them moving at short intervals and mostly in the mornings since there has been no movement in them during the night. Also, read about: Exercises To Treat Chikungunya Joint Pains.

3. Hot or Cold Press

How to treat chikungunya joint pain? Apply hot or cold press to the inflamed area. Wrap a piece of cloth with ice and apply to the affected area. This will provide relief from pain and provide some comfort to the patients. Alternatively, one can, also, apply hot packs to the affected joints.

4. Homeopathic Treatment

Homeopathy has also shown a considerable effect on the Chikungunya Arthritis and medicines such as Eupatorium-perf, Belladona, Influenzinum, Pyroginum, Arsenic-album, Rhus-tox, Cedron, China, Arnica, Bryonia and such have proven to treat joint pains and other symptoms of Chikungunya.

5. Ayurvedic Treatment

Ayurveda treatments work to dissipate the effects of the virus and helps in modulating the body's immune response against the virus. The treatment not only provides effective and speedy relief from pain but also reverses the inflammatory process, at the same time, preventing tissue damage. Also, know the Chikungunya Diet: What To Eat in Chikungunya & What To Not Eat