How to relieve knee pain

what does arthritis in the knee feel like

When one of your knees is hurting, it’s important to find relief for the pain if you want to be able to walk around and complete other activities. The knees are complex joints involving many moving parts that must work together for the knee to function. When one or more of these parts is injured, the entire knee is affected.

Treatments for knee pain will vary depending on the cause of the pain and its severity. Sore knees from a long day of work and physical activity are normal. Painful and swollen knees after an impact are more serious. When you have long-lasting knee pain, it’s always a good idea to visit a health care professional for treatment.

However, until you can get treatment, there are a few things you can do for your knee pain:

1. Ice it

Using an ice pack or cold pack on your knee is an effective way to reduce swelling and inflammation. Wrap the cold pack in a towel and apply it to the knee for about 15 minutes. Do this two or three times a day. Do not ice for longer than 15 minutes because this can cause blood vessels to constrict.

After icing for a couple of days, you can switch to heat. Heating your knee can improve blood flow and soothe the pain.

2. Balance rest and activity

When your knee is hurt, it’s important to get off it so the muscles and soft tissue can relax and recover. A good way to rest is to lie down and elevate your knee in a position higher than your heart, so the excess fluids can more easily drain out.

While recovering, it’s also important to stay active. Too much rest can actually be more harmful to your recovery than helpful. Some simple exercises and stretches can help the body stay active to promote blood flow and assist in recovering damaged knee tissue. Talk to a physical therapist about what kinds of activity are right for you.

3. Get assistance

Falling is a big threat when you cannot walk properly due to a knee injury. You may need to learn how to use assistive devices like crutches, a cane or a walker. If you need help learning how to safely use one of these devices, talk to a physical therapist.

Visit SSOR for knee pain treatment

Is your knee in chronic pain or have you recently injured it? Talk to a physical therapist at SSOR to find out how physical therapy can help. Contact us today to learn more about physical therapy for knee pain or to schedule an appointment.