Knee pain can be very limiting.
Causes of knee pain:
- Overuse injuries: Repetitive stress from running, squatting, or jumping can strain the tendons and cartilage.
- Injuries: Ligament tears (like ACL or MCL), meniscus injuries, or fractures can cause sudden, severe pain.
- Misalignment or muscle imbalances: Poor posture, gait issues, or weak hip/glute muscles can put undue stress on the knee joint.
- Obesity: Extra weight puts more pressure on the knee, accelerating wear and tear.
- Inactivity: Lack of movement can lead to joint stiffness and reduced lubrication within the knee.
- Baker’s Cyst: A cyst that forms in the back of the knee. It can drain or limit your movement.
- Patella Tracking issues: The kneecap doesn’t move properly. This can cause pain or even dislocation.
The most common cause of knee pain…..ARTHRITIS
- Osteoarthritis (OA): Often age-related, OA involves the breakdown of cartilage that cushions the joint. It results in stiffness, swelling, and pain during movement.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): An autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the joint lining. It can affect both knees and lead to joint deformity if left untreated.
Early signs of arthritis include morning stiffness, swelling, and pain that worsens with activity or weather changes.
While not all causes of knee pain can be avoided, there are many steps you can take to reduce your risk and protect your joints:
- Maintain a healthy weight: Reduces strain on the knees.
- Strengthen supporting muscles: Focus on hips, glutes, quadriceps, and hamstrings to stabilize the knee.
- Use proper footwear: Supportive shoes help align the body and reduce impact.
- Warm up and stretch: Prepare your joints before physical activity.
- Avoid repetitive stress: Mix up your workouts and take rest days to prevent overuse injuries.
Natural Treatments for Knee Pain
- Anti-inflammatory nutrition: Eat a diet rich in omega-3s (like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseed) = Fish oil, colorful vegetables, and anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric and ginger. (Look for our email on fish oil.)
- Supplements:
- Glucosamine & Chondroitin: May support cartilage health.
- Collagen: Helps support joint tissue.
- MSM and Boswellia: Natural anti-inflammatories.
- Movement therapy: Gentle exercise like swimming, yoga, and walking strengthens muscles and improves joint lubrication.
- Cold and heat therapy: Ice reduces inflammation, while heat relaxes tight muscles and improves circulation.
- Massage and bodywork: Can improve blood flow and reduce stiffness.
- Acupuncture: An ancient technique used to relieve joint pain by stimulating the body’s healing pathways.
- Red Light, Infrared therapy: Non-invasive tools to reduce inflammation and speed healing. (Look for our email on Red Light Therapy)
- Topical natural pain creams: Look for menthol, arnica, or capsaicin-based formulations. Like our Deep Blue.
The most important treatment is to get your knee adjusted!
Once again, using instrument adjusting, I can get right into the knee joint. I can work around the kneecap. I can assess if the knee is rotated inward or outward.
All of this can be precisely supported with the Impulse IQ.
Ask us about knee pain on your next visit!
Yours in Health Naturally,
Dr. Kelly