How Knee Pain Can Be Cured

Knee pain is quite common. It has short- and long-term causes, and each has different treatment options. When the knee pain you experience is mild to moderate, you may be able to treat it at home. You can manage knee pain from osteoarthritis or a sprain at home. 

The pain from inflammation usually does not need medical attention and will resolve independently. You can use several home remedies to alleviate the pain and increase comfort. But if the pain you are experiencing is moderate to severe or the pain fails to resolve on its own, it would be best to seek medical attention. 

Here are some strategies you can use at home to resolve knee pain and others doctors may use.

Home Remedies

RICE

Rice is an acronym for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. It is a home remedy you can use when you have a sprained or strained knee. When you sprain your knee, you should first get off your feet. 

Apply an ice bag or a bag of frozen vegetables to the knee if you do not have ice. Wrap a compression bandage around the knee to help reduce swelling and elevate your knee as you rest.

Strengthening Exercises

If you notice that your knee pain keeps returning even after treating it, you may benefit from strengthening exercises. Visit a physical therapist and ask them to tell you which exercises are safe for you to strengthen your leg muscles. Strengthening your leg muscles can help reduce the load on your knee. You will be in pain a lot less and protect the knee joint from damage. 

Tai Chi

Tai chi is a body and mind exercise routine from China that boosts flexibility and balance. According to a study done in 2009, tai chi has beneficial effects on people with osteoarthritis. The Arthritis Foundation and the American College of Rheumatology recommend tai chi as a treatment for osteoarthritis. 

Tai chi helps increase the range of motion while simultaneously reducing pain. It also dramatically impacts stress because it involves relaxation and deep breathing.

Medical Treatment

Medication

If you go to your doctor for knee pain, they will assess the leading cause of the pain. They may prescribe medication to reduce the pain and treat the condition causing the knee pain. It is especially the case if you have gout or rheumatoid arthritis.

Injections

Another treatment that doctors may explore to treat knee pain is using injections. Here are some of the injections a doctor may recommend:

• Corticosteroids - These injections are mainly for arthritis and reduce pain for a few months. They administer them directly into the knee joint. However, they are not effective in all cases.
• Hyaluronic Acid - It is a thick fluid that looks like the natural joint lubrication of the body. It helps reduce the friction between joints, but the results of this treatment have been mixed. The treatment can provide relief for about six months.
• PRP (Platelet-rich Plasma) - This treatment contains various growth factors which promote healing and reduce inflammation. Although more studies are necessary, some show that this treatment benefits people with osteoarthritis.

For more on the benefits of seeing a chiropractor for a work injury, visit Back and Neck Pain Centers at our offices in Seattle, Bellevue, or Tukwila, Washington. You can call (206) 233-0818, (206) 772-0088, (425) 649-9335, or (425) 243-1200 today to schedule an appointment.