Say Goodbye to Knee Pain: Natural Remedies You Can Try at Home

Given the daily stress our knees need to withstand, the general wear and tear of knees are one of the most common problems affecting people of all ages, lifestyles, and backgrounds. Activities as simple as walking, standing, bending, or more rigorous activities such as lifting and exercising all cause strain to our body’s biggest yet vulnerable joint, our knee.

So if you find your knees locking up, swelling, making popping noises, looking misshapen, or painful to straighten or bend, this article shows you some home remedies you can try to help relieve any knee discomfort, pain, or dysfunction.

Although the home remedies below can help relieve or reduce acute knee pain, it is still important to see a knee doctor, also called a knee injury specialist, to properly diagnose and treat the root cause of your knee problem before it gets worse. If you want to know when it is time to call a knee injury specialist, you can click here for an easy-to-follow guide.

With that said, here are some home remedies you can try to relieve or reduce knee pain, discomfort, or dysfunction:

Elevation and Rest

If you find your knee or leg swollen, elevating the affected body part helps reduce any swelling by draining excess fluid back into your body’s central system. To do this, simply lie down flat with the affected leg propped up on pillows. Make sure to place the affected leg higher than the level of your heart to see optimal results.

Since it is advisable to elevate the affected area during the day or overnight, do not forget to add support directly below your knee so it will not get stiff during these hours. You can elevate the affected leg until the swelling subsides.

Lastly, avoid putting too much strain on your knee if you notice any discomfort or swelling. It is also important to take regular breaks if you are standing or sitting for an extended period to avoid overstraining your joints.

Topical Treatments

If you are experiencing mild discomfort in your knees but do not want to take oral medication for pain relief, there are several topical treatments that can help with your problem.

For instance, capsaicin creams, patches, ointments, or lotions can provide temporary pain relief in your knee. Capsaicin is an active ingredient in chili peppers that temporarily numb your nerve cells so the pain signals to your brain are put on halt. Although capsaicin is an effective pain reliever, it is inadvisable to apply it on open wounds or broken skin.

Another example of topical knee remedies is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain drugs (NSAIDs), which are effective against tendonitis, arthritis, and other joint pain problems. These are over-the-counter drugs that are available in gels, liquids, and patches.

Lastly, another option is distilling essential oils for aromatherapy. Simply massage these concentrated plant extracts, such as lavender or arnica, to the affected area to help stimulate blood flow which can reduce knee pain or stiffness.

Supplements

There are plenty of benefits from supplements, and one of them is knee pain relief. In particular, ginger and turmeric are found to alleviate knee pain with their anti-inflammatory capabilities, while the antioxidant features of Vitamin E help suppress the progress of osteoarthritis.

Aside from being anti-inflammatory, lemon can also help lower uric acids in your body, which causes some forms of arthritis. Administering an Epsom salt soak bath is another option for swelling and pain reduction with its magnesium and sulfate components.

Lastly, consuming food rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can also help decrease inflammation in your knees. Adding Omega-3-rich food to your diet plan, such as eggs, fish, and leafy green vegetables, or taking Omega-3 supplements can help reduce swelling in your body.

Final Advice

While natural home remedies can effectively relieve you of your knee pain or discomfort, nothing beats seeking professional advice from a qualified knee injury specialist. This way, you get an accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment to prevent your knee problems from getting worse or recurring in the future.

Since your knees support your body weight, It is also advisable to keep an eye on your weight to reduce the strain your knees have to withstand. You can try several diet plans, such as Atkins Diet or Keto Diet, or regular exercise to prevent knee problems in the future. Not only do these reduce knee pain, these can also improve your balance, flexibility, and overall well-being.

Lastly, taking long-term solutions to care for your knees is worth every effort. As the biggest joint in your body, problems in the knee can easily debilitate and hinder you from enjoying life to the fullest. When doing these home remedies, try to still seek out professional advice to properly care for your knees.