Home Remedies for Knee Aches and Pains
Aging invariably results in more aches & pains, and knee pain is the most common complaint that doctors and physical therapists hear. The knee if vulnerable due to its high wear and tear factor. If knee pain bothers you, here are a few things you can do alleviate it at home-
Assess your pain
Always seek help for moderate to severre knee pain, as it could indicate that you require physical therapy, a brace or even surgery. Home treatments for knee pain should only be used when the pain is mild to moderate, such as those caused by sprains, arthritis or inflammation.
Treat pain due to injury
Remember the mnemonic RICE if you’ve twisted your leg, fallen or strained your knee.
Rest- stay off your feet
Ice- ice or cold compress the injured area
Compress- wrap a compression bandage around your knee
Elevate – lie on a bed or use a foot stool to keep your leg elevated.
Treat pain due to arthritis
The lubrication and padding around knee joints deteriorate with aging, meaning that the joints come into contact with each other and become inflamed. This is known as osteoarthritis.
In more severe cases, doctors usually recommend replacement artificial cartilage. However mild to moderate pain can be treated with dietary supplements or alternative therapies.
Willow bark
The salicin in willow bark acts the same way as aspirin. It is used to treat fever, inflammation, headaches, muscle pain, spinal diseases, arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Ginger extract
You can drink ginger extract as a tea, eat it as a dried spice or take prepackaged supplements. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger can greatly reduce knee pain when taken together with arthritis medication.
Herbal ointment
A salve made from cinnamon, ginger, mastic, and sesame oil is just as effective as over-the –counter medicine. Traditional arthritis medicines contain salicylate, which is used topically to relieve pain.
Heat and cold therapy
Invest in a heating pad, gel-style cold pack or cool compress if you have chronic pain. These can easily be found at a drug store or ordered online. Heat prevents stiff joints, while cold reduces pain and swelling.
Tai-chi
The mental aspect of practicing Tai chi promotes coping mechanisms for chronic pain, and the physical exercise helps reduce pain and increases your range of motion.
Exercise and weight management
Do your utmost to keep off unnecessary weight to lessen the impact on your knee joints, and take up a swimming or walking to ensure that you move them sufficiently to prevent them from stiffening up.
Finding care- final note
Note that some dietary supplements and alternative therapies can interfere with any prescribed medication you might be taking. Always see your doctor to find the cause of any pain.