More than one in four adults experience the negative effects of chronic knee pain. It’s actually nothing unexpected, as our knees handle a lot of day-to-day wear and tear. Scientists have discovered that for each pound of body weight, our knees are exposed to as much as seven pounds of weight when they are in motion or standing.
This is a lot of stress to put on such an important joint. However, there are many ways to treat the problem of chronic knee pain (for more information make sure to check out the Feel Good Knees website).
Obviously, bending your knees is inevitable. Therefore, we have gathered together some key information that should be able to help you find a solution that will work for you. Before we start talking about the tips to alleviate that pain, we have to look at what may be causing it. This may help you determine what needs to be done.
What is the Cause?
Understanding the cause of knee pain will help you narrow down treatment options. Here are the most common causes.
Injuries
Knee tendons, bones, and menisci are the structures in the knee that tend to be damaged most frequently. Trauma to bone, ligaments, and/or tendons brings about pain that will last for quite a while and will decrease the functionality of the knee.
Before you begin to look for home remedies or treatments, you should always visit a specialist to ensure no serious damage has been done.
Overuse
At times, our preferred exercises and daily routines subject our knees to excessive stress caused by repetitive movements. Think about bouncing, crouching, stooping, and running. Movement along these lines, again and again, can agitate your knees and cause inflammation and swelling. These, in turn, can materialize as chronic pain when bending your knees.
Joint Diseases including Osteoarthritis(OA)
Degenerative joint diseases are the main source of chronic and debilitating knee pain. A common symptom of Osteoarthritis are joint pain and stiffness which is progressive. Unfortunately, the pain will gradually increase over time. After some time, those who suffer from this affliction will encounter consistent agony while performing everyday tasks and activities.
Tips to Treat the Pain
Understanding the cause behind your pain will help you in the process of figuring out how to treat it. The first thing you should do before engaging in any home treatments is to consult with your physician. Then, there are some ways you can combat the knee pain you feel when bending your knees.
Take Off a Few Pounds
Weight can play a major role in knee pain. Several studies indicate losing ten pounds will result in each step in 30 pounds less pressure for your knee, and vice-versa. Decreasing the load can help improve your ability to move, lessen the pain, and also decrease the risk of any further damage to your knees.
Exercise
Regular, consistent exercise can help with not only weight loss but flexibility, as well. Adding in some low-impact exercises like aerobics, yoga, or swimming can help strengthen your joints and increase your mobility.
Hot/Cold Therapy
If the pain is caused by arthritis, then using the tried and true hot/cold therapy will work miracles on that pain. The heat will help loosen the joints and make them more receptive to the cold treatment. The cold will help reduce swelling and relieve the pain, as well.
Meditate
This may seem like a strange tip, but pain can cause stress. Stress, in turn, causes more pain; it’s a vicious cycle. Adding in a little meditation can relieve some of that stress. It is also great for breathing, which can help you be able to handle the pain better.
Omega Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for your health. In fact, they can really help with all kinds of diseases and problems including arthritis. By simply adding a fish oil supplement, many have noticed a significant reduction in stiffness and pain. Find ways to add these fatty acids into your diet and watch that knee pain slowly disappear.
Turmeric
This spice shows up a lot in Indian cuisine and is a great way to combat chronic joint pain. It is an anti-inflammatory and therefore attacks any inflammation and swelling. The reduction of these helps take care of the pressure and allows for less pain.
The good thing is that adding this spice doesn’t mean eating curries all day (unless you want to). There are turmeric supplements and elixirs you can take to get the benefits from this amazing spice.
Acupuncture
This is an ancient Chinese practice that is said to transfer energy from one point of the body to another. They also say that it is restorative when it comes to your body’s natural balance. By inserting needles into specific places, many have experienced a decrease in joint pain. If this is the route you take, make sure you use a reputable and licensed acupuncturist.
Massages
Many people who are experiencing any amount of pain praise the benefits of regular massaging of joints. Massage helps with blood circulation to these areas, which, in turn, will help soothe the pain. By using this method, you will see an improvement in not only the pain but also the range of motion of your joints and muscles. With 11 proven stretches that build strength, flexibility, and confidence, The Confort Zone eBook/Video Program to tap into your body’s healing process with eleven self-massage that will enable you to experience knee relief at first hand at the comfort of your own home.
There are many other tips and techniques you can use to help relieve the pain you feel when bending your knees, but these are some of the best. The most important thing to do though, as we said before, is to make sure to check with your doctor. There may be a treatment that will be more effective for you and your doctor can help you determine that.
Final Thoughts
While there is no way to turn around the damage that has already been done, there are plenty of ways to slow down the progress or stave the pain off.
Scientists are constantly looking for new ways to treat chronic knee pain (some of this research is discussed in the Comfort Zone). Until they have unlocked a magical remedy that eliminates chronic knee pain, the tips above can be used to help you out. Visit Our top monthly products for knee pain relief, where you’ll find reviews of our recommended products.