Knee pain can be a debilitating condition that affects people of all ages. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, arthritis, and overuse. Fortunately, there are lifestyle changes that can help reduce the pain and improve the health of the knee joint. Exercising is one of the best ways to reduce knee pain.
Activities such as walking, swimming, water aerobics, biking, yoga and tai chi can strengthen leg muscles and improve the health of cartilage tissue. Strengthening exercises can also help reduce strain on the knee joint and make it easier to move. It is important to maintain a healthy weight in order to reduce the pressure on your knees. Carrying extra weight puts more strain on your knees and can cause cartilage deterioration.
Losing weight can help reduce knee pain and prevent future problems. Staying active is also important for managing knee pain. Not moving your knee can cause it to stiffen, which can worsen pain and make daily activities difficult. To relieve knee pain while sleeping, try changing your sleeping position, using hot or cold compresses, or losing weight.
If you have a soft tissue injury such as a sprain, rest, ice, compression and elevation can help treat mild knee pain. For more severe conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, medications may be necessary.
Exercises
that target the muscles around the knee joint can help reduce tension in the joint and relieve pain. Water aerobics is a great option for people with joint pain as it puts little pressure on the knees.Regularly exercising these muscles can also help prevent future knee problems.