Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. Millions of people across the globe dealing with knee pain consult a physical therapist at some point in their life to seek relief from the discomfort.
Physical therapy has gained more attention in relieving knee pain and improving the joint function. The supreme goal of physical therapy is to enhance the quality of life by increasing mobility and decreasing pain(1). Let’s check the benefits and methods of physical therapy for knee pain Read them.
Did You Know?
- As per a study, 25% of adults are affected by knee pain.
- During the last two decades, the prevalence of knee surgery has increased. Clearly indicating the recurring cases of knee injuries and related pains.
How to Use Physical Therapy for Knee Pain
1. Strength Training
Hamstring:
- Lie on the floor with both legs stretched straight
- Place your palms on the floor and slide your hands towards the ankles
- You must feel the stretch behind your knees and at the back of your thighs
- Hold for 15-30 secs
- Relax back to the initial position
Repeat this 3-5 times a day
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Quadricep:
- For balance hold on to a wall or the back of a chair
- Lift one foot slowly and bring your ankle up toward your back region
- Grasp your ankle with your hand and pull your ankle closer to the body
- Stop pulling the ankle closer when you feel a stretch
- Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds
Do this ten times with each leg in a day.
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2. Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation helps to reduce knee pain by increasing leg muscle strength. Electrical impulses are generated by a device and delivered through electrodes to stimulate the primary muscle that supports the knee, the quadriceps femoris. For reducing the knee pain, the electrodes are placed on the skin to stimulate the nerves around the knee gently.
The physical therapist can limit the physical activity involving the affected knee by determining how much you may need to use electrical stimulation.
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What Does A Physical Therapy Session have In Store For You?
An effective physical therapy session offers numerous benefits for you. Read on.
- The ultimate goal of a physical therapy session is to teach you proper posture and body mechanics for everyday daily activities that improve function and relieve pain.
- Physical therapists develop an individualized plan of exercises to improve strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility to achieve optimal physical function.
- It recommends hot and cold therapy to ease joint pain and stiffness, treatment options that include shoe inserts to relieve stress on the lower extremities and braces and splints to support joints.
- Shows you how to use assistive devices such as canes and walkers properly.
- Suggests modifications to your atmospheres such using a cushioned mat in your kitchen or an ergonomic chair to relieve pain and promote function.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Knee Pain
The effective non-surgical means of treatment for your knee pain is physical therapy. For issues like mild osteoarthritis and meniscal tears, research shows that physical therapy can improve your standards of life and prevent surgical intervention in some cases. Physical therapy can help reduce the swelling, pain, and stiffness of knee pain, and it can help improve knee joint function(2).
After your knee surgery, whether it is a total joint replacement or arthroscopic procedure for knee pain, you may be referred to a physical therapist for a short duration to help you improve your balance and strength, and regain your mobility.
Many studies claim that physical therapist conducting pre-hab sessions for the patients have faster surgical recovery times and need lesser intense therapy afterward.
More than that, home physical therapy exercises enhances your health and allows you to resume an active & healthy life.
The physical therapy for knee pain, as discussed above, does not cause any harm to your body or knee. Knee pain should be treated at the earliest. Also, the physical therapies mentioned above for knee pain can speed up the healing process. The physical therapy treatment strengthens your knee and increases flexibility. However, if you feel pain over time, it is essential to contact your health care professional.
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FAQs
1. Why Should You Use Physical Therapy for Knee Pain?
There are various treatments available to heal an aching knee pain. But why should you choose physical therapy? Physical therapy improves your daily quality of life by decreasing your pain and increasing your mobility. Physical therapy reduces the pain, stiffness, and knee osteoarthritis, and helps improve the knee joint function. So it’s best to opt for this remedy.
2. What Is Included in Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy treatments for knee pain include stretching, balance training, strengthening, gait training, joint stabilization or mobilization, endurance exercises, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and hot and cold therapy.
3. Who Is a Physical Therapist?
Physical therapists are movement experts who optimize the quality of life through patient education, hands-on care, and prescribed exercises or stretches. A physical therapist helps manage and prevent knee pain or any other condition so as to achieve long-term health benefits.
