Knees are one of the longest and most complex joint systems in human body. Keeping them healthy and strong is utterly crucial for improved mobility. However, most people across the globe experience knee pain at some point in their lives. Therefore, it’s crucial for each one of us to give that much-needed attention to these enormously important joint systems.
Since knee pain affects both your personal and professional lives, you must seek proper treatment for it. It’s important to seek quick medical help for both chronic and acute knee pain. Acute knee pain is the pain that stems from injuries and accidents. On the other hand, chronic keen pain, which is caused by various underlying factors, can be defined as a long-term pain and swelling.
Sometimes the kind of symptoms that you experience can determine the cause of your pain, however, it’s always better to consult a doctor to figure out its primary source.
For example, chronic pain in your knee can be caused by osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, dislocation, torn ligament, Baker’s cyst, and arthritis etc. Therefore, it’s tremendously imperative to seek professional help at the right time.
Signs & Symptoms of Chronic Knee Pain
- Long-term pain and swelling
- Weak knees that cause a lot of problem in maintaining balance while walking and running
- Difficulty stretching knees
- Pain that’s experienced due to the repeated use of the knees
- Dull burning sensation
There are several factors that can worsen chronic pain and they include infections, overuse of knees, sprains and strains, poor posture, improper sleep positions, and inappropriate stretching. In addition to that, ignoring warm-ups before starting your workout sessions can also enhance the pain.
Risk Factors
Common risk factors for knee pain include obesity (because it puts a lot of pressure on your knee joints while walking) and intense physical activities. In addition to that, age is also one of the most important risk factors for chronic knee pain. A condition like osteoarthritis of the knees, which is very common in people above 60, is the perfect example of how age contributes to this condition. Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that leads to huge pain and discomfort and it can derail a person’s life completely in the absence of right treatment.
Treatment for Chronic Knee Pain
If in case you are experiencing pain in your knees for more than a month now, then you must consult a health care expert as soon as possible. Don’t wait for the home remedies to heal your pain because they can’t offer a permanent solution to your problem.
There are several ways of treating chronic pain such as medication, surgery, injection and physical therapy. The last option in our list, which is physical therapy, is designed for all those people, who want a drug and surgery-free treatment for their pain. People who are experiencing knee pain because of arthritis can get enormous benefit from physical therapy.
According to Active Health Performance Therapy,” Physical therapists are specifically trained to understand the way each bit of human cartilage, bone, and muscle are designed and how to help them work more smoothly to relieve arthritis pain, stiffness, and swelling.”
Physical therapy is also very good for post-surgical recovery. And the best part is that physical therapy is perfect for people of all ages.
Benefits of Consulting a Physical Therapist
- Since physical therapy is a drug-free and surgery-free treatment for chronic pain, it doesn’t have any side effects on your body
- The primary focus of your therapist remains at healing the root cause of your problem
- They offer personalised care to each patient
- They tailor treatment plans to suit the individual needs of each patient
- They choose treatment techniques on the basis of the severity of your problem
- They keep on monitoring your recovery process and make necessary changes to treatment plan on its basis
- They teach you the right way of performing exercises that they include in your treatment plan
- The treatment offered by them not only helps in curing your pain, but it also improves your overall health.
Apart from physical therapy, you can make lifestyle changes to live a pain-free life.
Shed Those Extra Pounds
If you are overweight, then you need to take strict steps to shed those extra pounds to prevent knee pain or to reduce it. One of the best ways to do that is to embrace a perfect fitness routine. If it’s possible for you to join a gym, then do it in the first place. However, if you have a hectic work life, and are unable to find time for the gym, then it’s better to stick to home workouts.
Consult a Nutritionist
If you want to include healthy food in your diet, make sure that you consult a renowned nutritionist in your area. Consuming healthy food also helps in maintaining a healthy weight.
Ask your nutritionist about foods that are great for knee health. Anti-inflammatory foods like fruits and vegetables are very good for knee health. Up the intake of broccoli, kale, and spinach in your diet to strengthen your knee. In addition to that, increase the consumption of fruits like oranges, blueberries, and raspberries etc.
Swimming & Stretching
Low-impact stretching exercises and swimming are very good for knee health, so you must make them a part of your life. If you talk particularly about swimming, it not only helps in subsiding the pain but plays an instrumental role in enhancing your flexibility. And the best part is that, swimming is very easy on your joints.
Pain-free knees are very important for you to enjoy your routine activities, so take care of them to live a healthy life.