Sometimes knee pain can be effectively treated with home remedies. Especially if its intensity is not high. Minor injuries or inflammations are suitable for treatment without medical consultation. Only in cases of severe pain, caused by an injury, does specialist rehabilitation or even surgical intervention become necessary. How can we alleviate knee pain with simple home methods?
Home remedies for knee pain
Knee pain can have a wide variety of causes. They range from overload and trauma to chronic inflammation and degenerative conditions. When we are dealing with short-term knee pain of moderate intensity, we can try using home remedies for knee pain. However, it is worth remembering that sore knees can be a very serious problem, and not treating it always makes the ailment worse. Therefore, it is important to remember that if the knee pain is acute, combined with severe swelling, does not pass or is increasing, it will be necessary to see a specialist. Finding the cause of knee pain is the basis for introducing effective treatment and further management.
Home rehabilitation for knee pain?
The uncomfortable pain in the knee joint, which arises as a result of a slight injury or overload, is generally suitable for treatment with natural remedies. In order to alleviate the unpleasant discomfort, it is sufficient to stock up on the necessary products and be patient. If we systematically apply helpful preparations and treatments, the pain will gradually begin to subside and we will return to our daily activities at full strength.[1] Knee joint pain of mild intensity and not related to sudden injuries can be successfully treated at home. Home remedies for knee pain can also complement the treatment prescribed by your orthopaedic surgeon. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor because of possible interactions between the medication used and the home remedies.
Effective home remedies for knee pain
When we suffer from a swollen knee or painful knee joints, our first instinct is to reach for proven home remedies. Our grandmothers often dealt effectively with this type of ailment. Cold compresses, rest, Epsom salt or home vibration therapy can effectively aid treatment. However, when chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile arthritis are at the root of our complaints, treatment with appropriately selected medication will be necessary. Injuries that can be treated at home in mild cases also require expert diagnosis, as in extreme cases they may even result in surgical intervention.
Home remedies for knee pain: rest and cooling compresses
If you strain your knee as a result of intensive exercise or bruise it in a fall, you should carry out home first aid as soon as possible. To do this, lie comfortably on a flat surface and then apply a cold compress, such as a bag of ice cubes, to the knee.
After this, we gently wrap the knee with a special bandage to prevent swelling and lift the leg slightly upwards so that the knee joint is fully relaxed and the blood in the limb circulates unhindered. If you feel an improvement, the most important thing will be what you do next. Returning to the activities/actions that led to the pain could result in a chronic condition or serious damage. Give your knee time to recover. In this case, rest and limiting physical activity will be most important. However, do not forget that a knee injury or strain that does not go away or is associated with increased pain symptoms requires medical consultation and most often diagnostic imaging.
Home remedies for knee pain: bath with Epsom salt
Epsom salt, otherwise known as bitter salt, is a compound of sulphur and magnesium (magnesium sulphate), which has, among other things, joint and muscle pain-relieving properties. [2] It is readily available and costs little. A bath with Epsom salt is indicated above all in the case of pain resulting from overloading, e.g. after intensive training. To prepare a healing bath, simply add one or two cups of Epsom salt to warm water. The bath should last about 20-30 minutes. Do not use any cosmetic products, e.g. soap or bathing lotion, during the bath. The Epsom salt bath is also effective when the knee pain is related to a strained or stretched tendon. It reduces pain and inflammation.
Home remedies for knee pain: hydrating the body
Cartilage is made up of 80% water. Dehydration as low as 2-3%, which is not yet manifested by thirst, disrupts the homeostasis of our body, which can also restrict the supply of water to the joints.
The body first ensures that the external organs are hydrated, and when water is in short supply, it draws water from the joint structures (e.g. cartilage, joint discs). This can manifest as pain, and long-term dehydration can even indirectly lead to joint inflammation or degeneration. This is why it is so important to supply the body with sufficient water throughout the day.
Home remedies for sore knees: vibrotherapy at home
Vibrotherapy, or vibration therapy, is a method used in physiotherapy clinics and hospitals, but it can also be used at home. It is a non-invasive therapy that is completely safe and has a very short list of contraindications. The analgesic effect of vibrotherapy has been confirmed in numerous Polish and foreign studies. [3] It effectively reduces knee pain and joint pain of various causes. It supports rehabilitation and improves muscles facilitating recovery. It is successfully used in the rehabilitation of athletes and the recovery of sports professionals.
One of the most recognised manufacturers of vibrotherapy equipment is the Polish company Vitberg. Vitberg equipment is used by more than one million people throughout Europe. This vibrotherapy apparatus consists of a Base Apparatus and additional modules for the therapy of specific parts of the body, e.g. legs and knees – the Knee Module. The use of the module is shown in the video below: https://youtu.be/2nOTcaKrHWc
Home remedies for knee pain: an oriental ointment to soothe the pain
In addition to applying a dressing and an ice pack to the problem area, it is advisable to support the treatment with a natural ointment to speed up the recovery of the painful knee. It is best to prepare a homemade preparation consisting of a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, greek mastic and sesame oil. Its effect has been studied by scientists and the results of the experiment were published in the Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences. [4] Ninety-two people with osteoarthritis of the knee took part in the study. One group of subjects used an ointment containing an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic remedies with documented medical effects (based on salicylic acid), and the other group used an ointment with only natural ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger, mastic and sesame oil. Patients used these remedies twice a day for six weeks. According to the researchers’ observations, the natural ointment was just as effective as the salicylic acid-based remedy. Incidentally, it is worth explaining that salicylic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) from the group of non-acetylated salicylates.
Home remedies for knee pain: the power of natural aspirin
For chronic knee pain that is caused by inflammation, naturotherapists recommend using white willow bark. [5] The extract extracted from this raw material has a similar effect to aspirin, which is why it should be used instead of its chemical equivalent. Willow bark contains a compound called salicin, which has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. In what form should willow bark be taken? So-called willow bark teas are available, but there is too little salicin in the dried bark for the infusion to have aspirin-like properties. Therefore, supplements – tablets containing standardised willow bark extract – are recommended. More information about these supplements and dosage instructions can be obtained from pharmacies. The efficacy of the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects of willow bark was demonstrated by a scientific study conducted in 2001.
When should you see a specialist?
Home remedies and preparations to relieve knee pain can sometimes be assisted by appropriate exercise, especially if such complaints are due to being overweight or having a sedentary lifestyle. However, if natural methods to relieve knee pain do not have the desired effect, medical help should be sought. [6] 
Sometimes, in order to find the cause of the pain, it is necessary to take an X-ray, which will help the specialist plan the appropriate treatment for the condition.
References:
- URL: https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-relief/knee-pain-home-remedies [dostęp: 2018-01-15]
- URL: https://www.painscience.com/articles/epsom-salts.php [dostęp: 2020-01-09]
- URL: https://rehmed.pl/resources/html/article/details?id=181863&language=en [dostęp: 2020-01-09]
- URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjbs.2011.715.719 [dostęp: 2020-01-09]
- http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=107&pid=33&gid=000281 [dostęp: 2020-01-09]
- Kusz D. (2010): Kompendium traumatologii, Wydawnictwo Lekarskie PZWL.
