Three tips for managing knee pain at home

Knee pain is a common part of life. You may notice your knees are sore after walking around all day or after walking up and down too many stairs. This is normal and can usually be treated with some simple rest and home remedies.

However, some cases of knee pain are severe and need professional medical assistance. Severe knee pain may be the sign of something serious like arthritis or a torn ligament. You don’t want to ignore this kind of pain because these conditions can grow worse and lead to permanent disability.

In cases of minor knee pain, though, you will probably recover after a week or two by following the steps below.

Three steps for managing knee pain at home.

1. Ice and heat — After you first notice pain in your knee, it’s helpful to apply a bag of ice on the knee for about 15 minutes. Do this two or three times a day for a couple days to help reduce swelling and pain. After a day or two of icing, you can switch to heating to help soothe the pain. Wait for the swelling to go down before you start heating because heat can make inflammation worse.

1. Rest — If your knee hurts, you need to avoid activities that cause stress and further pain. Do not try to push through the pain or be tough. This can result in more pain and a more serious condition. It’s still important to maintain some level of light activity, such as walking, because inactivity can make the knee heal improperly.

1. Compress — Wrapping your knee in a compression bandage can help reduce swelling and provide some comfort against the pain. Be careful to not wrap the knee too tight, which can cause more pain or cut off circulation.

Contact Back in Motion Physical Therapy for knee pain treatment

When your knee pain is severe, long-lasting or accompanied by other symptoms, such as numbness, you need professional assistance. This kind of pain may be the sign of something serious that is not treatable by simple home remedies.

Are you suffering from severe or chronic knee pain? Please contact us today to speak with one of our team members about your condition and discover how physical therapy can help you find relief.