You might have experienced it today, yesterday or any time before - knee joint pain is not an unknown foe to modern life.
It can be temporary or permanent depending on the nature and cause of pain.
For instance, knee pain caused by arthritic degradation can take longer time to recover.
While, knee pain resulting from external trauma, overuse or deficiency easily recedes after appropriate care.
Knee is a complex joint composed of bones, ligaments and cartilage.
Inflammation in any of these parts may also produce pain, stiffness or redness, which may require medical assistance.
You opt from a variety of knee pain treatment including painkillers, herbal remedies, assistive devices or surgeries.
Accomplice Ailments: Knee Pain Symptoms
Knee pain is usually associated with a range of conditions like squishy joints, red patches, muscle tension etc.
In the worst cases, it can also deform the knee or dislocate the bones from the joints.
Crackling Sound: You may hear popping or crunching noise when the knee is bent, straightened or moved.
Swelling or Redness: Can be seen on the top, under or sides of the knee cap. Rec coloured patches may develop in later stages.
Stiffness: Pain of bending knee is caused by this issue. It can reduce the flexibility and mobility of joint tissues.
Deformity: Happens in severe conditions due to constant shedding of bone calcium or muscle strength. Needs immediate surgery.
Mild Fever or Fatigue: Rare symptom. You may experience a fever around 99℉ or find it difficult to hold body weight on the knee.
It is important to keep a keen eye on the ailments that precede or follow knee pain, so that it can be treated appropriately.
Different Marks of Pain: Causes and Types of Knee Pain
Injury or wearing out is the foremost cause of knee swelling and pain.
But in some cases, it could also be led by arthritic damage of the bones, ligaments or cartilages.
Trauma: Accidents, falling from heights or repeatedly putting pressure on knees can damage their elements. Fractures, chipping off knee bone and tendon tear are common examples.
Kneecap Dislocation: Extremely painful condition where the knee cap displaces from its position and slips up to the front. Needs serious medical attention.
Incorrect Posture: Inappropriate walking or standing pose can increase the stress on knee joints, making them wear out before time. Could also happen because of an allied illness.
Arthritis: Gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the common types that affect both knees at the same time. Produce extreme pain, swelling and stiffness. They can produce severe consequences in the long run.
Pushing Limits: Risk Factors for Chronic Knee Pain
Though it may hit you out of the blue, pain in knee cap doesn’t develop within days or weeks.
It is the result of significant damage to the joint tissues, which can be further aggravated by hormonal imbalances, obesity etc.
Excess Weight: Unhealthy fat metabolism leads their accumulation around the waist, thighs or stomach. This condition increases the pressure on knees, leading to more bone shedding and cartilage damage.
Overuse: Certain sports and vocations require extensive running, standing or sitting - each of which can reduce knees’ natural ability to bend or endure weight. They also affect range of motion for knees.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Sitting for long hours predisposes you to obesity and stiffens up the cartilages. It also hampers the natural blood supply to the tissues.
Ageing: Injuries sustained during the young age and gradual loss of regenerative capacity can affect knee strength. It requires strict management and dietary regulations.
Strategies for healing: Types of Treatment Available
Chemical Medications: Uses painkillers and anti-inflammatory enzymes that prevent irritation of knee tissue damage. Provide temporary knee pain relief. Only helps in mild cases.
Assistive Therapy: Certain exercises or supportive devices may be recommended. They speed up healing of damaged knee cartilage and bones. Increase the flexibility of knees, especially in case of trauma.
Injections: Contain chemically synthesized hormones or pain killers that prevent further degradation of knee tissues. Especially helpful in case of arthritis, muscle tears and post-surgery pain.
Surgery: Suggested to worst cases where the knee is entirely or partially damaged. Helps to cleanse, repair or replace the affected areas of the knee. Can be very costly. Requires extensive post-surgery care.
Ayurvedic Remedies: A proven and highly effective strategy to treat pain, inflammation and stiffness associated with knee ailments. Uses natural compounds and herbs to heal the joints inside out.
Ayurvedic remedies are the best treatment for knee pain since they offer sustainable relief from the immediate and long term impacts.
Therapeutic Lifestyle and Dietary Measures for Knee Pain
Heat or Ice Bag: Put a heating pad or ice pack on the aching knee for 10 minutes. Repeat this activity 2-3 times in a day. Make sure to check the temperature of your heat/cold packs.
Bedrest: Lay straight on the bed - oftentimes it is the best remedy for pain in joints of legs. Use a pillow to elevate your aching knee for better after-nap relief.
Exercise Everyday: Take up light exercises like walking, swimming or hiking where your joints do not have to bear additional stress. Practice them for 30 minutes every morning.
High Dose of Healthy Fats: Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are highly beneficial for reducing knee pain and swelling. You can find them in a healthily prepared seafood or legume dish.
Simple Tricks: Natural Remedies for Knee Pain
Massage: Use medicated herbal oils or coconut oil to apply on the front and back of knee pain region. It can gradually reduce the swelling and sharp aches. Do it daily for better pain prevention.
Change Places: Medical surveys have proved that colder climates increase pain sensations. Try to increase thermostat temperature or move to another room when you feel pain.
Apple Cider Vinegar Water: Mix 1-1½ tablespoons of ACV in a glass of warm water. Drink it every morning for curbing pain sensations.
Green Tea: Drink at least 4-5 cups every day. They contain inflammation-relieving antioxidants. Add some cloves to your cup for increasing its soothing effect.
Ayurvedic Herbs for Knee Pain Relief
Ginger: Has strong anti-inflammatory properties with a natural heating potency. Also helps to regularise metabolic processes. Can be used as a spice or medicinal concoction.
Guggulu: Well known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herb. Used in various combinations to treat joint ailments like arthritis, injuries and wearing off.
Turmeric: Popular for its soothing effect on knees. Clears out toxins from the blood and soothes inflamed knee tissues. Apply it as a paste or simply drink it up with milk.
Triphala: Has three strong antioxidant herbs that rejuvenate the knee bones and cartilages. Stimulates the immunity and bowel activities too.
Ashwagandha: Naturally builds up the strength of all joint elements like tendons, bones etc. Revitalizes the tissues for better mobility. Eases stress and anxiety.
Yoga and Pranayama for Knee Pain
Yoga is a full body exercise that tones the muscles, channelizes hormones and detoxifies the internal systems.
It stretches the joint cartilages and tendons to relieve tension from the muscles.
In the long term, it can speed up healing of damaged knee cap for pain relief.
Here are some Yoga postures you should try for better knee health:
Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I): Helps to improve stability and strength of knee muscles. Corrects body posture.
Extended Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana): Works on both muscles and bones. Improves the range of motion of knees. Tones waist muscles for fat removal.
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana): Useful to enhance core strength of knee structures. Redirects blood flow to the affected areas.
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