Knee pain

Have you ever squatted down to pick up a heavy load and when you straightened up had a sharp pain shoot through your knees? Odds are you have overtaxed your knees. The injury that you now feel can be caused by one of many different issues. If you do not properly stretch before any physical activity then it is very easy to put strain on your knees. It can cause similar pain when you do not do a proper cool down as well. These sources of knee pain may be able to go away on their own if you begin to use a bit of self care in your daily routine. There are other causes, however, that may warrant an extra amount of attention and care.

The first of these causes that should be addressed is the overweight issue. By carrying more body weight than your frame is built for you will put a good deal of extra pressure on all your joints but especially your knees. By reducing the amount of extra weight you will ease the load on your knees. It may take some time to adjust but you may be able to reduce some of the damage that has been done. There are many different joint disorders that can affect your knees as well. From arthritis and bursitis which can cause an aching pain especially when bending to sprain, strains and tendinitis which all are caused by injury to the tendons in your knee each can have the same effect on you.

They can each make daily life very difficult for you by limiting the amount and types of daily activities to which you are accustomed. With simple rest and some light treatment you can clear up the pain and reduce your swelling. You will need to keep your knee or knees elevated as much as possible to help lower the swelling. You should also use an alternating combination of ice followed by warming the joint. This too will help keep the swelling down and can also help to lessen the pain. You can help to support your knee by lightly compressing it with an elastic bandage. When you go to bed you should also sleep with a pillow placed either between your knees or underneath them. 

There are several types of injuries that may require some degree of medical attention. Some of these include tears of the meniscus (cartilage tear) or ACL (ligament tear). There are also some other disorders of the body that can cause pain in the knee joints such as lupus. It may be a necessity for a physician to work with you on correcting the initial problem so that you can then concentrate on letting your body heal. Physical therapy may be ordered by your physician. It may also be that massage therapy can help in the healing process as well. Above all, take time and get well. Do not cause further injury by rushing the healing process.