Regardless of age, joint pain is something we all encounter at one (or multiple) points throughout life. Whether you experience occasional bouts of pain or it's a regular occurrence, medical intervention isn't the only way to cope with the discomfort.
Luckily, there are plenty of items that can alleviate joint pain and make life a little bit easier each day. To find out which ones are worth your time and money, the Shop TODAY team consulted a range of medical experts to get their tips and product picks. We're also breaking down some must-know info about joint pain and how to manage it.
How to manage joint pain
In many cases, joint pain can be managed by adapting your surroundings and behaviors.
For instance, there are plenty of products that alleviate joint pain in the hands, but Alexandra MacKenzie, an occupational therapist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, notes that our routines can also play a role.
“In the hands, a tight, prolonged position will cause pain, so I recommend avoiding one position for a long period of time and moving frequently, even if it’s a small arc of motion,” she says.
Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, a spinal and orthopedic surgeon, tells Shop TODAY you don't have to "overhaul your home" to manage joint pain. Instead, simply "swap out a few pain points with smarter designs that keep your hands from working harder than they have to ... It’s not about turning your home into a medical space. It’s about thoughtful upgrades that take pressure off the joints you use most."
"The right products allow you to keep doing everyday tasks without frustration or strain," he says.
Here are a few ways to manage multiple types of joint pain with everyday products:
Hand arthritis
When you start to experience hand arthritis, it’s tempting to immediately treat it with a brace, but Dr. Sarah Cash Crawford, the founder of Anchor Wellness and WAVE Physical Therapy, advises against doing so unless a physical therapist specifically recommends it.
“Bracing can lead to more weakness and fear of movement, which can speed up arthritis symptoms,” the physical therapist says. Instead, she suggests using products “with a larger girth.”
"The goal is to avoid gripping, pinching or twisting motions that aggravate pain. A few smart tools can go a long way," adds Okubadejo.
One of those smart tools is grip pads, which Cash Crawford says she loves recommending “because they help with opening jars when weakness is an issue or even with turning door knobs.”
General joint pain
Since general joint pain can occur in many areas of the body — most commonly, in the hands, feet, hips, knees and spine, per the Cleveland Clinic — you may need to invest in a few ergonomic products to help alleviate discomfort.
If you’re experiencing general joint pain, Okubadejo suggests looking for items “that limit the need for gripping, twisting or fine motor control,” including automatic can openers, ergonomic door handles or thick-handled kitchen utensils that “reduce strain on the smaller joints of the hands.”
If you have a home office, consider investing in supportive chairs, adjustable standing desks and other “tools that promote upright posture, such as lumbar support cushions or monitor risers [which] can help ease tension in the neck, shoulders and spine,” Okubadejo says.
A few other products recommended by the experts we polled include:
- A pull-out keyboard shelf
- Cushioned mats
- Objects with larger handles (pens, utensils, gardening and kitchen tools)
Grip loss
Per Okubadejo, grip loss refers to "a weakening of the muscles and tendons in the hands and forearms, which makes it harder to grasp, hold or squeeze objects."
Grip loss can often occur following an injury to the hand, wrist or spine, and sometimes materializes with age or arthritis.
“Losing hand strength can make everyday tasks harder. For this, automatic tools like can openers and soap dispensers are great because they cut down on the need to grip tightly,” Cash Crawford says. “Ergonomic mice can also help protect against carpal tunnel and other hand problems."
Household items to help with joint pain, according to experts
These rubber grip pads can help make opening jars a breeze, but they also serve multiple purposes.
“If someone has a tough time with grip strength, these pads help them hold smaller tools like pens, toothbrushes or knives without struggling,” Cash Crawford says.
Editorial assistant Annie Shigo is a fan of this product for treating soreness and pain. She says, “I use this on my knees (I have really bad knees) and wear it to bed most nights. It helps a lot and is easy to use.”
Resistance bands can be especially helpful when wanting to stretch your limbs and treat sore parts of the body. Writer Emma Stessman recommends getting an open band over traditional closed-loop designs.
“I have post-traumatic arthritis in one of my feet and I have to do all kinds of silly exercises, like picking up marbles with my toes, but some of the stretches and exercises involve using exercise bands and they’ve been really helpful!” She says, “It’s also nice because the exercise band comes in handy for stretchy other sore parts of my body.”
"Often, we hear from clients who struggle with spine pain or 'bad knees' that make standing for long periods tough, which makes doing home tasks challenging. For them, I really like the idea of having a bar stool nearby so they can work while letting their joints rest," Cash Crawford says.
The physical therapist recommends taking short breaks while doing housework and keeping a small step stool like this one nearby "to unweight a limb" and "give those joints a break."
"[This product is] designed to keep the jar steady while you twist the lid with minimal hand effort. The base pad grips the countertop so you don’t have to," Okubadejo says. "It works for everything from pasta sauce to vitamin bottles. Instead of relying on thumb strength and wrist torque, you’re using leverage, which is far easier on inflamed joints."
Deputy managing editor Jess Bender says this product has been helpful for her father to use.
"My dad recently had replacement surgery done on both of his shoulders and he’s still struggling to raise his arms above a certain point," she explains. "He’s been using a reaching aid tool to grab items from higher shelves of late."
Okubadejo applauds these scissors for their “cushioned, oversized loops that require less force to operate.”
“They’re ideal for kitchen prep, office tasks or opening packages — things that become unexpectedly painful with grip weakness,” the surgeon says.
Okubadejo suggests opting for a freestanding soap dispenser you can “press with the back of your hand or wrist rather than twisting a pump.”
“It allows you to press down with the side of your hand or palm instead of squeezing a pump with your fingers, which is much easier for someone with reduced hand strength,” the surgeon says.
This small space-friendly tool takes the fuss (and pain) out of trying to open cans. According to the brand, it can open 60 cans on a single charge and fully charges in just two hours.
Okubadejo suggests opting for “thick-handled kitchen utensils” to “reduce strain on the smaller joints of the hands.”
This set of adaptive utensils features a weighted design and a non-slip grip. The dishwasher-safe set comes with a fork, knife and two spoons.
Cash Crawford suggests using this tabletop electric can opener if you're dealing with grip loss. Coincidentally, it's a product my husband and I have been using religiously for four years ever since we added it to our wedding registry when we were engaged.
My husband works in the construction field and often experiences joint pain in his wrist. Meanwhile, my constant typing leaves my wrist feeling occasionally sore. Both of us enjoy how easy the can opener is to use and how it saves us from exerting extra effort to open cans.
This electric spice grinder is a favorite of associate editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson who can't believe how long she's gone without it. "It's so easy to change pods — just pop the old one out and new one in — so you can grind a different spice in seconds. I've found it to be especially helpful when I'm seasoning meat and only have one clean hand."
“Whether from arthritis, overuse or injury, it often becomes more manageable when you adapt your home and workspace to reduce strain. Simple, well-designed tools can make a meaningful difference in minimizing repetitive stress on the joints,” Okubadejo says.
The surgeon recommends this touch-free automatic soap dispenser that quickly releases soap once you hover your hand under it. Notable features include a mess-free silicone valve, a wide opening for easy refills and volume control.
Office items to help with joint pain, according to experts
“For those who struggle with writing, the Pencil Grip Crossover Grip slides onto any pen or pencil and positions the fingers in a more relaxed, controlled way. It gives you a secure hold without having to grip tightly, which makes a big difference during long writing sessions,” Okubadejo says.
“Most pens require tight finger control and constant pressure, which can be tough with arthritis. This pen has a Y-shaped body that rests naturally between your index and middle fingers. You guide it with minimal effort and the soft coating prevents slippage,” Okubadejo says.
For patients who write frequently, whether it’s journaling, writing checks or simply taking office notes, this tool relieves that constant hand fatigue.
“Ergonomic mice can help protect against carpal tunnel and other hand problems,” Cash Crawford says.
This Amazon bestseller has 10,000 five-star ratings from happy customers and it’s easy to see why. It features an ergonomic design that promotes neutral wrist and arm positions to decrease strain.
These gloves are a favorite for SEO writer Jannely Espinal. She says, "I still use my compressing gloves at work from this brand. While I only use the right glove, I really like the extra pressure because it alleviates the pain around my thumb area while typing."
If you work from home, Okubadejo lists an "adjustable standing desk" as an essential to fend off joint pain. I've been using an adjustable rolling standing desk from Flexispot for years, but the exact model is currently out of stock.
This alternate option from the brand is well-received with over 2,000 five-star reviews and an average 4.4-star rating. Notable features include an electric lift system with a quiet motor and four memory presets.
Okubadejo suggests investing in a “supportive chair that allows your knees and hips to sit at a neutral 90-degree angle” to help with “weight-bearing joints.”
This ergonomic chair is designed with 3D adaptive, adjustable lumbar support that puts a premium on spinal health. The backrest can be adjusted and swivels to create personalized support for your lower back. The headrest and armrest can also be adjusted.
How we chose
Shop TODAY consulted three experts who specialize in orthopedics and physical therapy to better understand the unique challenges that joint pain causes. They shared their tips and tricks along with a few product suggestions to help alleviate joint pain. We also shared the products recommended by editors or people in our lives who deal with joint pain.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Sarah Cash Crawford (PT, DPT, COMT, CMTPT), is the founder of Anchor Wellness and WAVE Physical Therapy in Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, FAAOS, is a spinal and orthopedic surgeon in the New York City area and the head of The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care.
- Alexandra MacKenzie (OTR/L, CHT, CLT) is an occupational therapist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.
