Deca increases the synovial fluid in the bursas between our joints. So the relief from joint pain is actually more cushion. As far as healing properties versus masking symptoms? It does not provide any real healing and once you discontinue use, you could even be worse off from masking the injury... i dont think thats a wise reason to use it personally... when you have REAL healing compounds, like mk2866, mk677, hgh, tb500 and bpc 157...