Are you suffering from chronic knee pain?
Are you sick and tired of family and friends suggesting medication, injections, and surgery?
As Edina’s Chronic Pain Expert, I have years of experience, dealing with people who have almost given up on reducing their chronic knee pain.
“It’s a part of getting older, I’ve managed for this long, I can put up with it.”
But what if you didn’t have to?
There are lots of ways to help ease your knee pain from the comfort of your own home. This article highlights four of the best ways you can ease your chronic knee pain!
The Impact of Chronic Knee Pain On Your Lifestyle
Chronic pain can have a profound impact on your daily life in so many different ways. Reduced mobility is a common consequence, with simple tasks such as getting in and out of a car, climbing stairs, or standing for extended periods can become challenging and painful. This limitation in mobility often results in reduced physical activity, contributing to a sedentary lifestyle, which, in turn, can have broader implications on overall health.
Persistent knee pain significantly affects quality of life, causing constant discomfort and limiting the ability to enjoy daily activities. Sleep disturbances and fatigue may also result from pain, further contributing to a decreased quality of life. The emotional toll of dealing with chronic pain can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, depression, and stress.
Many patients would tell me how they’ve missed out on watching children play sports, or on social occasions with friends due to agonizing pain that they have learned to live with.
4 Forms of Treatment For Chronic Knee Pain
Knee pain can be extremely debilitating and interfere with your quality of life, but there are some natural ways you can alleviate the discomfort without having to fall back on prescription drugs or injections.
Here are the 4 best ways you can ease chronic knee pain:
Hot & Cold Therapy
Hot therapy involves applying heat to the affected area to promote increased blood flow to the knee. This heightened circulation delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the knee, facilitating the healing process. Also, heat helps muscles and soft tissue around the knee relax, which is beneficial for individuals experiencing muscle tension contributing to their knee pain.
You could apply hot packs, warm towels, or water bottles to your knee to achieve the desired effect. It’s recommended to apply heat for 15-20 minutes at a time, using caution to prevent burns and using a barrier between the heat source and the skin directly.
Cold therapy, on the other hand, focuses on reducing inflammation by numbing the region to temporarily relieve pain. The application of cold constricts blood vessels, decreasing blood flow. Ice packs, or even bags of frozen vegetables wrapped in cloth can be applied for 15-20 minutes at a time and is most beneficial during acute flare-ups of pain.
Low-Impact Exercise
Low-impact exercises can manage chronic knee pain by improving joint flexibility, strengthening supporting muscles, and maintaining overall physical health without causing undue stress on the knees. Activities such as swimming, cycling, and water aerobics are excellent options as they allow a full range of motion while significantly reducing the strain on the knees. This form of exercise plays a pivotal role in reducing chronic knee pain by offering a gentle yet effective means of improving joint function.
Footwear & Orthotics
Choosing the right footwear and, when needed, incorporating orthotics inserts is a crucial aspect of managing chronic knee pain naturally. The primary goal is to provide adequate support and alignment, thereby reducing stress on the knees during daily activities and exercise. Proper footwear considerations include factors such as arch support, cushioning, and stability. Shoes with good arch support help distribute body weight more evenly, preventing excessive pressure on the knees.
Well-cushioned shoes absorb shock during activities like walking, providing an extra layer of protection for the joints. Stability is enhanced with shoes that have a stable base and a firm heel, reducing the risk of excessive side-to-side movement and potential injuries.
Orthotics are designed to offer additional support beyond standard footwear. They can address issues related to foot alignment, distribute forces more evenly, and minimize the impact on the knees during activities.
Physical Therapy
A lot of the techniques for easing chronic knee pain attack the symptoms, managing the pain rather than the underlying issue. Physical therapy can help you to find the root cause of your pain, helping to reduce the symptoms and the likelihood of the pain returning in the future.
Our team has first-hand experience in identifying the root cause of your knee pain and offering the most effective forms of treatment.
The goal in my clinic has always been to get you back to what you love doing, back to doing the activities you’ve most likely missed because of the level of discomfort you’re experiencing.
Therefore, that means giving you expert treatment without spending a lifetime in and out of appointments.
Our Free Discovery Visit is the best way to get started with us, you will get 1 on 1 time with our expert physical therapists, get the answers to your questions, and discover your treatment options.
By addressing the root cause of your pain and providing personalized advice, physical therapy can be a powerful tool in your journey toward a pain-free life.
If you aren’t sure about coming into the clinic just yet, we are also offering a Free Telephone Consultation.
You will be able to share your story, set your goals for the future, and discuss a tailored treatment plan all from the comfort of your own home!
Arrange your Free Discovery Visit or Free Telephone Consultation Today!
Other Free Resources To Manage Chronic Pain
Our Blog – Easy To Implement Changes That Will Stop Your Chronic Pain Ruining Summer
Our Blog – How You Can Stop Your Chronic Headaches Taking Over Your Life