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Millions of people suffer from chronic knee pain, often caused by injury to the knee.
While the first reaction is to reach for a bottle of painkillers, there are other ways to manage the pain.
While there are many over the counter medications, known as non-steroidal anti-flammatories (NSAIDs), to manage chronic knee pain, persistent use can have detrimental effect on your liver, and stomach.
Read: Can yoga ease your arthritis pain?
The cardiovascular effects of many of these drugs is also unclear and people with heart disease, high blood pressure, or strokes are advised not to use them.
Natural treatment options for knee pain
• Gels: Fortunately there is much research being done in this area which has led to the development of topical water-based gels which use nano technology to lubricate the joints, thereby providing pain relief and enabling more joint mobility. Research has been favourable and most patients reported pain relief and better joint mobility.
• Rest: Simply resting the knee will give the injury time to heal and help prevent further damage.
• Ice: Regular icing can reduce pain and inflammation. A simple bag of frozen veg van be used but recommendations are to ice for no for longer than 20 minutes at a time.
• Compression: A lightweight compression bandage will help prevent fluid build-up in damaged tissues and maintains knee alignment and stability.
• Elevation: Keep the knee elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling.
• Glucosamine and chondroitin: These supplements have been shown in some studies to relieve osteoarthritis pain.
• Acupuncture: Research suggests that acupuncture may help relieve knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. It involving the insertion of long, thin, sharp needles at specific points on the body, acupuncture has been touted as a treatment for osteoarthritis pain.
• Light exercise: Exercises such as aerobic, muscle-strengthening and water-based exercises which include muscle strengthening exercises can improve range of motion, increase mobility and ease pain.
• Weight loss: If you are overweight, losing weight reduce pain by lessening the stress on the affected joints.
• Walking aids: The use of canes and crutches can reduce pain by taking the pressure off the joint when walking. In some instances associated knee instability, a knee brace helps lessen the pain, improve stability and reduce the risk of falling.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): This is a technique in which a weak electric current is given through electrodes which are placed on the skin. These help stop messages from pain receptors from reaching the brain and is often used effectively in short-term pain control.
• Diet: Some foods contain antioxidants which have been shown to specifically benefit people with knee osteoarthritis:
o Vitamin E: A strong antioxidant found in almonds, sunflower seeds and oil, safflower oil, hazelnuts, peanuts and spinach.
o Vitamin D: found in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna as well as yogurt, orange juice and some cereals.
o Vitamin C: is found in oranges, bell peppers, grapefruit, strawberries and broccoli.
o Vitamin K: found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, kale, turnip and mustard greens, collards and Swiss chard.
Read more:
Three kinds of exercise that can improve arthritis
5 arthritis home remedies that work
Sources:
Maintain a healthy weight to help reduce strain in your knees , 4 foods that may fight knee osteoarthritis, http://www.synviscone.com/knee-exercise-center/nutrition-and-weight-loss/4-foods-that-may-help-fight-knee-osteoarthritis.aspx
25 Treatments for Arthritis Hip and Knee Pain, http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/pain-management/tips/25-treatments-for-hip-knee-oa.php
