Physiotherapy for Knee Discomfort: Regaining Your Daily Life Without Pain

Knee pain can be a real problem for busy people-- particularly if you're a go-getter.

Fortunately, there are numerous treatments to decrease the risk of developing persistent knee pain and manage it if it does appear.

An experienced physiotherapist will be able to tailor an individualized treatment plan for you that targets the particular source of your discomfort and decreases its reoccurrence. In this post, we share some leading recommendations on how to eliminate knee pain at last.

 

What exactly is a physiotherapist? And what can they do for me?

Basically, they are healthcare professionals who specialize in dealing with people who have suffered an injury or stress somewhere in their body-- like your knees!

A physiotherapist has comprehensive training and experience in assisting clients to recuperate from injuries or strains. Likewise, they may have expertise in specific areas that make them a lot more qualified than general practitioners to deal with such conditions. In short: if you need assistance in handling knee pain, consider a physiotherapist!

 

Effective Treatment Options For Knee Discomfort and Chronic Injuries

Physiotherapy can be one of the best treatment methods for managing knee discomfort and injuries. Physio treatments make it possible for you to treat your condition in a focused and effective way, often without the need for medication or surgical treatment.

According to a review of studies, physiotherapy delivers greater benefits than self-management for individuals with knee arthritis. Furthermore, it can assist with a wide range of causes relating to knee issues, including: 

• common sports injuries
• chronic pain
• body misalignment
• arthritis pain
• overuse injuries
• repetitive strain injuries
• poor blood flow
• poor posture
• muscle pain
• chronic muscle strain
• motor vehicle accidents

Physiotherapy offers a unique combination of manual therapy techniques, soft tissue techniques, rehabilitation techniques, and physical workouts that can assist you to decrease pain, gain back mobility, and go back to day-to-day activities.

While numerous treatments are intended to focus on discomfort relief, they can likewise be utilized to treat the root causes of knee discomfort.

 

Stretching workouts

Stretching is essential when dealing with knee discomfort-- and it's much more crucial if you're recuperating from an injury. Studies show that individuals who stretch regularly have lowered discomfort and increased agility compared to those who do not stretch at all.

There are two primary kinds of stretches you can do to reduce knee pain: static and dynamic, and your physiotherapist can prescribe the most effective ones for your unique condition.

Static stretching includes holding your muscles in a lengthened position for about 30 seconds. You should feel a mild stretch in your muscles, but no real pain.

Dynamic stretching entails moving your muscles through a series of movements over a time period. You should feel an increased stretch in your muscles, along with a minor pull.

Both types of stretches have their benefits, but dynamic stretches are particularly beneficial for knee pain. They can help you to loosen up stiff joints and improve your overall flexibility, joint pain, and range of motion.

 

Strength workouts

While stretching is important for reducing knee pain, reinforcing the surrounding muscles is vital for long-lasting management of the discomfort. Strong muscles supply stability and support to your joints, enabling them to perform better and decreasing the possibility of discomfort and injuries recurring.

According to an evaluation of studies, a combination of aerobic workouts and strengthening workouts is the most effective method of managing knee discomfort. Low-impact exercises such as swimming, cycling, and using elliptical equipment are terrific for strengthening muscles without overloading your knees. Again, your physiotherapist can teach you the most effective exercises to reinforce your knee muscles.

If you've just recently suffered an injury, you should steer clear of high-impact workouts such as running until your knee has healed. Workouts to strengthen your quadriceps (the muscles in the front of the knee) are the most effective method to decrease knee discomfort.

 

Dry Needling

Dry needling is a particular type of acupuncture that includes placing an extremely thin needle into trigger points. Trigger points are little knots in your muscle that cause pain and reduce movement in the surrounding region. Dry needling can be used to deal with all kinds of musculoskeletal conditions, including knee pain. Studies show that dry needling is just as successful as electrotherapy for dealing with knee osteoarthritis, with fewer adverse effects.

Dry needling is frequently utilized as a part of a diverse treatment strategy. It's not a stand-alone treatment, though it can be successful when combined with other therapies.

 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is another treatment that is significantly being utilized to treat knee pain. Like dry needling, acupuncture involves putting small needles into the skin at particular points on the body. Research studies reveal that acupuncture can lower discomfort and improve knee joint function in patients experiencing knee injuries. Acupuncture has extremely few negative effects and is frequently a great treatment alternative for managing knee discomfort. It can likewise be utilized in mix with other treatments.

 

Knee Brace

If you experience regular knee pain, a knee brace is an excellent way to secure your knee and avoid injuries from reappearing. Braces are available in a variety of types and materials, and there is a wide variety of types to pick from. A knee brace can help alleviate knee pain and support the knee in individuals who are recovering from an injury, have osteoarthritis, or have had a joint replacement.

 

Taping

Knee braces are typically the initial selection for handling knee pain, but lots of people have concerns about their usage. Taping your knee is a much less invasive method of handling the pain and can be just as effective as a knee brace. Many studies have shown that taping the knee can significantly minimize knee pain and improve knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. It can be used alone or alongside other therapies.

 

TENS device

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (or TENS therapy) is a non-invasive therapy that can be used to relieve pain. TENS machines send electrical pulses through the skin and stimulate the nerves. This lessens inflammation and helps to handle pain. TENS machines are frequently used for short-term pain relief, such as after an injury. Some research shows that TENS machines can be efficient at managing knee pain, though more research is needed to establish its long-lasting results.

 

Conclusion

Knee discomfort can be a real pain in the…well…knee, but it doesn't have to be. You can keep your knees healthy and pain-free by following a few easy pointers. 

If you do get knee pain, you can use these suggestions to reduce the discomfort and contact Maximum Potential Physiotherapy in Calgary NW right away so we can begin alleviating your knee pain as soon as possible. 

Now booking new appointments! And remember: knee pain can be treated, so do not let it rule your life!