Dos and Don’ts for Joint Pain

You can do several things to reduce your joint and knee pain irrespective of whether it is due to arthritis that you have had for several years or due to a recent injury. Here are some simple dos and don’ts for keeping your joint and knee pain at bay.

Apply both high and low temperatures

After two to three days of sustaining a knee injury, you must apply a cold pack to numb your pain and ease swelling if any. A plastic packet of frozen peas or ice will do wonders. You can wrap the ice pack inside a towel to protect your skin. After this, you can use a warm towel for about 20 minutes three to four times in a day or apply a heating pad or can take a warm bath.

Don’t injure your joints

If you are indulging in high-impact exercises, your weak knees can become further injured. So it is recommended to stay away from strenuous exercises such as kickboxing, jumping and running. Try to also avoid exercises like deep squats and lunges as they put tremendous stress on the knees. Such exercises can make your pain worse when not done in the correct fashion and even cause injury.

Do get advice from an expert

As soon as you experience pain in your knees, you should consult a doctor. It is always better to know the kind of pain you have as soon as possible so that further damage can be prevented.

Don’t take excessive rest

When you take too much rest, it can make your muscles weak and can make your joint pain get worse. You need to choose an exercise that will be safe for those weak knees and then stick to that. When you are unsure about which exercises will be safe for you, then you must consult a physical therapist or your physician.

Do not risk any fall

When your knee is unstable or painful, there are chances of your knee getting more damaged after a fall. Make sure that your house is lit well and use handrails while climbing up or down the staircases. Use a foot stool or a sturdy ladder when you have to get something from a higher shelf.

Do control your weight

When you are overweight or obese, shedding off those extra pounds off your body can bring down the stress faced by your knees. If you make small changes, they can still create a big difference.

Don’t feel embarrassed about walking with a stick

A cane or a crutch can help in taking off the additional stress from your knees. Knee braces and splints can help your knees stay stable.

Do think about going for acupuncture

It is a popular form of Chinese treatment that involves insertion of very fine needles at specific points in a human body and is excessively used for alleviating various kinds of pain including knee and joint pains.

Don’t wear inappropriate shoes as they can worsen your pain

If you are suffering from knee pain, physicians will frequently recommend putting special insoles in your shoes. You need to consult a physiotherapist or a doctor to find a proper insole. To know more about knee pain and how to alleviate the pain, visit Phoenix Family Medical Clinic. Our Providers and Physicians at Phoenix Family Medical Clinic also treat and provide care for kids with ADHD.

• Prev
• Next