Knee pain can be very intense, often interfering with the natural pronation of the knee during walking. When the natural flexing and rolling of pronator muscles around the knee are not working properly, the result can be a greatly inhibited ability to get around. While some instances of knee pain will require surgery to repair some sort of damage, there are often a number of remedies that will help painful knees to heal. Here are some examples of remedies to try if your doctor has determined the situation does not merit invasive surgery or prescription medication to alleviate the pain.
When knee pain first strikes, it is important to remember that with any type of muscle pain, you should use ice for the first twenty-four hours and then heat from that point on. The application of the ice will help to prevent swelling and inflammation during the first hours of the injury. Applications of heat later on will help to keep the muscles from locking and becoming stiff. For a quick treatment of knee pain that is a result of an accident, this can be your first defense in bringing the pain under control.
For situations in which the knee pain is established and recurring, the purchase of a brace may be desirable. However, make sure to spend the extra money to obtain a brace that has been configured to fit your knee. The varieties that are commonly sold in sporting goods stores are cheaper, but they also will not do much other than prevent additional injury to the area. A good quality knee brace that is adjusted to fit the contours of your knee will not only prevent more injury, but also help the body to begin healing.
Using over the counter pain medications may also help in the management of recurring pain. They will help to help with inflammation and may allow you to get the rest your body needs to begin a natural process of healing. Along with over the counter medications, you may want to try herbal complexes as well. For instance, bromelain, a natural ingredient found in pineapple, is said to contain some of the same pain and inflammation fighting agents that are found in prescription NSAIDs. While herbs take longer to get into the system and begin to impact the condition, persons suffering from recurring pain may find the use of bromelain extract very helpful.
While exercise may seem like a painful way to deal with aching knees, the fact is that stretching and working the muscles of the knee can have a beneficial effect in many cases. Strengthening the hamstrings with simple stretching exercises will help prevent the knee from freezing up. Since the knee depends a great deal on strong ligaments and muscles to operate properly, simple limbering exercises that are not done in excess can have a beneficial effect on painful knees.
A growing cause of aching knees in our society is obesity. Carrying around a lot of excess weight puts additional pressure on the knees. Even a drop of ten to twenty pounds will make a big difference in the amount of strain that is put on the muscles of the knee. As an added incentive, the changes in diet and exercise required to effect a weight decrease will also provide a number of other health benefits for the body, including an increased ability to fight off inflammation in the joints.
Knee pain can often be managed by making a few lifestyle changes and making good use of stretching and strengthening exercises for the ligaments and muscle surrounding the knee. Before beginning any type of regimen, however, be sure to consult your physician and make sure the steps you have in mind are right for your condition.
