Knee Pain Relief: Physiotherapy Tips and Techniques
Knee pain can really hold you back from life. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to minimize the risk of developing knee pain and handle it effectively when it does appear.
An experienced physiotherapist will be able to tailor an individualized treatment plan for you that targets the specific source of your knee pain and minimizes its reoccurrence.
In this blog post, we share some leading tips on how to eliminate knee discomfort safely and effectively.
Just what is a physiotherapist? And what can they do for me? Physiotherapists, also known as physical therapists, are healthcare professionals who focus on dealing with clients who have suffered an injury or stress somewhere in their body– like your knees!
A physiotherapist has comprehensive training and experience in helping patients recuperate from injuries or strains. They might also be accredited in specific topics that make them a lot more experienced than general practitioners to deal with certain conditions.
Knee injuries and physiotherapy treatments
Physiotherapy can be one of the best treatment options for managing knee pain and injuries.
Proper physio makes it possible for you to treat your condition in a focused and efficient manner, without the requirement for medication or surgical treatment. According to an evaluation of research studies, physiotherapy delivers higher benefits than self-management for people with knee arthritis.
Physiotherapy also provides a personalized treatment plan consisting of physical therapy treatments, manual therapy techniques and exercise programs that can help you reduce discomfort, regain flexibility, and resume your daily activities.
While a lot of physiotherapy treatments are concentrated on pain relief, they are also used to treat the underlying reasons for your knee pain.
Common Conditions and Causes for Knee Pain
- Joint movement disorders
- Other joint issues
- Abnormal movement
- Bone spurs
- Acute injuries
- Overuse injuries
- Excessive overuse of joints
- Sports injuries
- Repetitive motions
- Flat feet
- Arthritis – Osteo joint pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Motor vehicle injuries
- Mobility challenges
- Chronic muscle strain
- Loss of motion
Stretching Techniques
Stretching is a must-do when handling knee pain– and it’s a lot more important if you’re recovering from an injury. Research studies show that individuals who stretch routinely have minimized pain and increased flexibility compared to those who do not stretch at all. There are two main types of stretches you can do to reduce knee pain: static and dynamic, and your physiotherapist can prescribe the most effective ones for your distinct condition.
Static stretching involves holding your muscles in an extended position for about 30 seconds. You ought to feel a mild stretch in your muscles, but no real pain.
Dynamic stretching involves moving your muscles through a range of movements in a repetitive fashion. You should feel a stretch in your muscles, which often feels better over repetition.
Both types of stretches have their advantages, but dynamic stretches are particularly useful for knee pain. They can help you to loosen up stiff joints, enhance your flexibility, and increase joint range of motion.
Therapeutic Exercises
While stretching is very important for decreasing knee pain, strengthening the surrounding muscles is essential for long-lasting management of the discomfort. Strong muscles provide stability and support to your joints, helping them to perform better and decreasing the possibility of discomfort and injuries repeating. According to an assessment of research studies, a mix of aerobic workouts and reinforcing exercises is the most effective way of handling knee pain. Low-impact workouts such as swimming, cycling, and using elliptical equipment are excellent for reinforcing muscles without overloading your knee joints. Again, your physiotherapist can teach you the best exercises to strengthen your knee muscles.
If you’ve recently suffered an injury, you ought to stay clear of high-impact workouts such as running until you have been given the green light. Exercises to strengthen your quadriceps (the muscles in the front of the thigh) are the most effective way to decrease knee pain.
Shockwave Therapy (SWT)
The application of shockwave therapy to knee injuries is an innovative treatment option. By using a transmitter head on the skin, SWT sends high-energy percussion or radial pressure waves to the affected area. As a result of the high energy sound waves’ mechanical pressure, the knee tissue is mechanically insulted, which significantly increases blood flow. Through a positive inflammatory response, the sound waves stimulate the body’s natural self-healing processes, assisting in regeneration and repair. In general, it is a way of restarting the healing process for stubborn chronic conditions, especially those affecting medium to large tendons.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another treatment that is commonly being used to deal with knee pain. Acupuncture requires inserting tiny needles into the skin at particular points on the body. Research studies reveal that acupuncture can minimize discomfort and enhance knee joint function in patients experiencing knee injuries. Acupuncture has very few negative effects and is frequently an excellent treatment option for managing knee discomfort. It can also be used in combination with other therapies.
Knee Brace
If you struggle with frequent knee pain, a knee brace is a terrific method to protect your knee and avoid injuries from reoccurring. Braces are available in a range of forms and materials, and there are several types to select from. A knee brace can help ease knee discomfort and support the knee in individuals who are recovering from an injury, have osteoarthritis, or have had a joint replacement.
Taping
Many people are concerned about the use of knee braces when dealing with knee pain. Knee taping is a less expensive way of handling discomfort, and it can be just as effective as knee braces. Research studies have shown that taping the knee can significantly reduce knee pain and enhance knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. As a stand-alone therapy or in combination with other treatments, taping can be effective.
TENS device
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (or TENS treatment) is a non-invasive treatment that can be utilized to ease the pain. TENS devices send out electrical pulses through the skin and energize the nerves. This reduces inflammation and helps to handle discomfort. TENS machines are typically used for short-term pain relief, such as after an injury. Some research shows that TENS machines can be efficient at handling knee pain, though more study is required to determine its long-term impacts.
Conclusion
Knee discomfort can be a real nuisance, but it does not need to be. By talking to one of our physiotherapists at Maximum by Body ‘n Balance Physio, you can keep your knees healthy and pain-free.
Simply put: if you want help with your knees, consider Maximum by Body ‘n Balance Physio right here in Collingwood Ontario. And remember: knee discomfort can be dealt with, so don’t let it rule your life!
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