And What You Can Do About It Today
Joint pain is one of those conditions people tend to “wait out,” hoping it will resolve on its own. Maybe it started after an old injury. Maybe it flared up after a long hike, a weekend project, or just getting out of bed one morning. At first, it’s easy to ignore. Then it becomes part of your daily routine. Eventually, it becomes the limitation that shapes the way you live your life.
But here’s the truth:
**Joint pain isn’t stagnant.
Joints don’t stay the same.
They slowly break down unless something changes.**
And the earlier you intervene, the more options you have — especially if you want to avoid injections, medications, or surgery.
At Freedom Integrated Medicine, we specialize in helping people understand why their joints hurt and what non-surgical, regenerative options exist to support healthier, stronger joints. Before you can make the right decision for your body, it’s important to understand what’s actually happening inside those painful joints.
The Hidden Reason Joint Pain Gets Worse: Proteases
Most people assume pain is caused only by inflammation or “wear and tear.” But in many chronic cases, something far more destructive is happening behind the scenes.
Inside degenerative joints, science has shown that overactive proteases — enzymes that break down cartilage — become increasingly active over time. The best way to picture them?
Think of proteases like termites in a house.
You don’t see the damage at first. You barely notice the changes. But quietly, continuously, they are chewing away at the internal structure. By the time the symptoms become obvious, a lot of damage has already been done.
Proteases operate the same way inside a joint:
- They break down healthy cartilage
- They accelerate joint degeneration
- They increase inflammation and stiffness
- They make normal activities feel progressively harder
And unless you take steps to neutralize them, they continue to chip away at your joint year after year.
A2M: A Breakthrough in Non-Surgical Joint Care
Here’s the good news: modern regenerative orthopedics has identified a tool that can help protect joints from these destructive enzymes.
A2M — Alpha-2-Macroglobulin — is a naturally occurring molecule that acts like a biological trap for proteases.
When introduced into an affected joint, A2M binds to and neutralizes the harmful enzymes responsible for cartilage breakdown. Think of it as finally sending in the exterminator to stop the “termites.”
People seek out A2M because:
- It targets the source of degenerative joint pain
- It helps protect cartilage from ongoing breakdown
- It provides an option for people hoping to delay or avoid surgery
- It supports improved comfort and mobility without relying on masking medications
While not a cure-all, A2M represents one of the most promising developments in biologically informed joint care.
What Happens If You Ignore Joint Pain?
Pain doesn’t just inconvenience you — it changes you.
When joint pain goes untreated, these changes become more noticeable over time:
Structural changes inside the joint:
- Cartilage becomes thinner
- Bone spurs begin forming
- Proteases remain active and unregulated
- Inflammation becomes chronic
- “Bone-on-bone” progression accelerates
Functional changes outside the joint:
- Losing strength due to avoiding movement
- Decreased range of motion
- Difficulty with stairs, bending, lifting, or turning
- Reduced participation in activities you once enjoyed
- Gradual loss of independence
And the longer this goes on, the fewer non-surgical options remain.
This is why early evaluation is so critical — not just to treat your pain, but to protect your future mobility.
There Are More Solutions Than You’ve Been Told
Many people believe their only options are medications, injections that mask pain, or eventually surgery. But regenerative orthopedics and non-surgical solutions have advanced dramatically in recent years.
At Freedom Integrated Medicine, we combine:
- Comprehensive joint evaluation
- Digital X-rays
- Degenerative joint analysis
- Customized treatment plans focused on the root cause
- Regenerative solutions such as A2M
- Non-surgical therapies that support improved mobility and joint stability
Our goal is simple:
help your joints function better so you can live better.
Your future mobility is worth this step.
Joint pain doesn’t improve by ignoring it — it improves by understanding it and taking action.
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