Joint Stiffness: Common Causes & What to Do
Joint stiffness can follow inactivity or overuse, but persistent stiffness can also occur with injury, osteoarthritis, inflammatory conditions and other problems.
Look at the pattern
Duration, swelling, warmth, injury history, number of joints involved and morning symptoms can all change what the symptom means.
Self-care has limits
Gentle movement may help some stiffness, but severe, persistent or unexplained symptoms deserve medical evaluation.
Do not let a supplement delay diagnosis
A supplement marketed for comfort cannot tell you why a joint is stiff.