Did you know there are many basic ways to ease knee pain? This vital structure between the thigh and the lower leg is subject to a variety of painful medical conditions that can wreak havoc on your ability to perform the simplest daily tasks.
Bursitis, arthritis or torn cartilage can result pain and damage can not only be very painful, but discouraging as well.
Many joint problems can be resolved with nonsurgical solutions.
Even better, if you learn how to take care of this crucial joint, you may even be able to ward off many adverse medical conditions.
Adjusting Your Activity Level One of the best ways to avoid pain in these areas is to make sure you keep your weight within a proper range.
The more you weigh, the greater degree of pressure is placed upon these joints.
This pressure will cause unnecessary impact with every step you take.
The simple act of losing weight will relieve this pressure and make each step you take easier to perform.
On the other hand, even if you are a correct weight, you may be doing a certain exercise like jogging that can also cause knee pain.
If and when this occurs, you might consider choosing another type of low impact exercise like cycling or swimming at least until you have less pain.
Embrace Proper Technique Knee pain can also be caused by not practicing the proper form during activities.
When using the proper form, pressure will be released causing less stress.
Another essential is using appropriate equipment for any activity.
This is especially true when it comes to what kind of shoes to wear.
If you suffer from flat feet, for example, you should be wearing shoes that support the arch areas of your foot.
If you are overweight or large in stature, you need shoes that have extra padding.
Decreasing Inflammation Another great way to alleviate joint discomfort is the use of ice.
This is a very simple solution, but one that works well.
The reason it works is because a lot of physical discomfort is caused by inflammation.
Ice reduces inflammation.
Many sports physicians will require icing to help prevent tissue damage following an injury.
It's best to ice your problem area immediately following any physical activity after you do your cool down stretches.
Ice for about 20 minutes while elevating your leg.
You can also take anti-inflammatory medications.
You may find that reducing the swelling with these medications will reduce the pain.
Be sure to talk to a doctor before starting a regular regimen, however.
Many times without surgery, it's not possible to reverse the negative effects of joint damage or arthritis.
Don't allow the discomfort to get so bad it interrupts your daily life.