One of the most common pain complaints that affect people of all ages is knee pain. Knee pain may be caused by an injury, or by an underlying condition, such as arthritis or infections. With regards to treatment, various options are available and your best course of care depends on the cause and duration of pain. Acupuncture, herbal medicine and dietary support have been helpful for almost everyone suffering with knee pain, and some people need further support or medical interventions (procedures like advanced injection therapies or surgery).
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of knee pain vary in terms of severity. Here are the most common symptoms.
Swelling
Stiffness
Popping or crunching noises
Limited Range of Motion
Warm sensation
Local redness
Risk Factors
There are many factors that could result in the risk of developing knee problems:
Previous Injury – Having a previous knee injury makes it more likely that you could injure your knee again.
Lack of Muscle Strength – If you lack flexibility and strength, the chances of getting knee injuries is higher. Having strong muscle tone helps to stabilize and protect joints. In order to obtain a full range of motion, muscle flexibility is very important.
Overweight – Obesity, or excess weight, amplifies stress on your knee joint, even during normal activities such as walking. Moreover, it also puts you at an increased risk of osteoarthritis by accelerating the breakdown of joint cartilage.
Prevention
Knee pain from injuries is usually inevitable. However, various options are available to prevent or slow joint deterioration once an injury has happened:
Exercise Smart – Changing your exercise routine is imperative, especially if you are suffering from osteoarthritis, chronic knee pain, or recurring injuries. You can consider activity easy on the body, such as swimming and other low-impact activities.
Keep Extra Pounds Off – Maintaining a healthy weight not only helps you prevent your knees from extra pressure, but it also benefits your overall health. Remember, an extra pound equates to additional strain on your knee joint.
Get Strong – Weak muscles lead to knee injuries so doing balance and stability training helps the muscles around your knees work together more effectively to best support the joint.
Treatment
You’re in pain and want help and guidance. How we help those with knee pain includes the following, all backed by years of clinical research and evidence.
Acupuncture – Helps release feel good and pain-blocking chemicals in the body so that you feel better. Also reduces inflammation and bruising or redness that are signs that something is wrong, but also can prolong pain and agony. Brings more blood flow to painful area so that healthy blood can deliver more nutrients to area to help it heal faster.
Herbal Medicine – There are a variety of herbal medicines that help with pain and inflammation and can be customized to address your specific needs and concerns. Most of these can be taken with NSAIDs or other pills you may be taking. It’s best to consult with us or a qualified and well-trained herbalist before adding herbal medicines to your daily routine.
Dietary Support – Many foods you may already be eating could be contributing to the feelings of pain and inflammation in your body and knees. Get an evaluation of what your eating AND what you should be eating that could help reduce pain and inflammation. You’ll be amazed at how much better you could feel when you are eating for your body’s needs and not working against it with improper nutrition.
Comments