Home Remedies For Knee Pain | Advice From Harvard Doctors
Having a knee injury can cause pain and discomfort. If left untreated, it can dramatically affect functioning in daily life due to pain and swelling. However, there are many home remedies for knee pain that can be used to alleviate pain that avoid over-reliance on narcotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. We can help you by showing you the top four tips advocated by Ivy League pain doctors who are experts in pain management and treatment. We’ll also show you why it is so important to consider visiting a specialized pain doctor if symptoms persist or get worse.
The Best Four Home Remedies For Knee Pain
Nowadays, there are many home remedies for knee pain available. However, it is difficult to know the most effective options available. Let’s take a look at the top four home remedies for knee pain as advocated by Harvard pain doctors:
R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevation)
To reduce pain and swelling, R.I.C.E is an excellent home remedy. Periodically resting your knee, applying ice, providing compression and elevating your knee can significantly reduce inflammation and pain to the knee joint. Resting the knee joint allows the knee time to heal. However, it is important not to rest the knee joint too much, as this can cause stiffness in the knee joint and increase the discomfort. Applying ice reduces swelling and subsequent pain which can minimize the ‘fiery’ feeling you may be experiencing. Make sure you wrap the ice in a towel to prevent ice burns! You might want to apply a compression bandage to your knee joint to help with comfort. Elevating the knee on a stool or pillow so that it is above the line of the heart can also reduce swelling. However, it is not recommended to do this for long periods of time.
Sesame Oil
Sesame oil has been valued throughout history and ancient medicine for its healing properties and is advocated by many pain doctors today. Sesame oil works by helping to detoxify the tendons and muscles that are causing pain and swelling. This home remedy is a great way to relax the stiffness and tightness around the knee joint. Gently massage some sesame oil directly onto your skin to begin to feel the benefits. For more comfort, consider heating the oil in the microwave for a couple of seconds before applying directly to the knee joint.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural chemical compounds in your body. Your bones and joints are cushioned by tissue called cartilage. Cartilage is rubbery and has elastic characteristics to allow your joints to move. Both glucosamine and chondroitin are important because they help to retain water in the cartilage. This is important as cartilage must remain elastic and slippy for knee joint movement. Taking supplements that contain glucosamine and chondroitin can help to improve knee joint movement by ensuring the cartilage retains water. These supplements are great at contributing to overall cartilage health. It is recommended to consider talking to a specialized pain doctor or primary health care provider before taking glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.
Ginger Tea
Throughout history, the ginger plant has been known for its medicinal and anti-inflammatory properties. The ginger plant contains compounds called gingerols and shogaols. Powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories are found within these compounds. In addition to knee joint pain, ginger can help with digestive issues, arthritis and even cancer. The anti-inflammatory properties can help to reduce swelling and pain in the inflamed knee joint. Ginger tea is a great home remedy as it ensures these powerful properties are incorporated into your diet! If you are considering taking ginger supplements, make sure you speak to a pain doctor because ginger can affect blood-thinning medications like warfarin.
The Importance Of Visiting A Pain Doctor
If your knee joint pain persists or gets worse, consider visiting a specialized pain doctor NY and NJ. Pain doctors are highly experienced pain management physicians that can offer many conservative treatments without the need for surgery or long-term narcotics.
It is important to visit a specialized pain doctor as they can diagnose your pain and offer many treatment options that do not carry the risks associated with pain medications and surgeries. Minimally-invasive procedures for maximum health outcomes is best for health!
It is also possible that your knee pain is potentially being caused by another underlying condition that requires medical attention. This is another reason why it is important to consider visiting a specialized pain doctor. Some examples of underlying health issues include:
- Arthritis – rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and septic arthritis are varieties of arthritis that may be creating knee pain.
- Knee injury – knee fractures, knee bursitis and patellar tendinitis are a few conditions that could cause knee pain. There are many non-invasive treatment options available to help with these conditions/injuries.
- Obesity – excessive weight puts more pressure on the knees. Consider weight loss as an option to alleviate knee joint pain.
If symptoms persist or get worse, it is important you consult with a pain doctor. They can offer many alternative treatments that are highly effective and often allow patients to resume their activities on the same day. A consultation will provide an excellent health screening opportunity to diagnose your knee joint pain.
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