Most people have felt minor knee pain at one point in their life. Most of the time pain develops from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or, in some cases, injury. When knee pain strikes many people turn to over-the-counter medications to calm aches and swelling. A recent article in Prevention looked into eight natural ways to combat knee pain.
- Change Your Routine – a short-term shift to your exercise regimen can help take some of the pressure off of your knees. Instead of walking three miles, do a couple of laps in the pool. Other exercises, such as yoga, can help with knee pain, but certain poses can put pressure on the joint if they aren’t executed correctly. (Related product: CanDo® Yoga Mats)
- Kinesio Tape – the thin, stretchy tape helps relieve pressure and inflammation, improves circulation, and provides support to the muscles surrounding the knee joint. (Related products: Kinesiology Tape and Taping Accessories)
- Foam Rolling – foam rolling can improve flexibility, loosen tight muscles, and put pressure on your joints. Don’t roll right over the knee joint, roll the quads and hamstrings to help improve pain around your kneecap. (Related products: CanDo® Foam Rollers)
- Hip Strengthening – your body is all interconnected, so it is no surprise that the hip plays a big role in how the knee functions. Building strength in your hips and glutes helps keep your knee in proper alignment, therefore taking pressure off the joint.
- Compression – a neoprene brace with a round hole for your kneecap will help reduce swelling and activate the surrounding muscles, helping to stabilize the joint. (Related products: Uriel Knee Braces)
- Sleep Better – sleep is when your body repairs itself. If you are having trouble sleeping, nutritionists recommend drinking a cold glass of tart cherry juice before going to bed. Studies have suggested that cherry juice can help produce the sleep hormone, melatonin.
- Self-Massage – this can help boost blood flow and ease inflammation. (Related products: FEI Manual Massagers)
- Turmeric – commonly found in curry dishes, this space slow down key compounds in your body’s inflammation process. In a recent study, 1,400 milligrams of the active ingredient in turmeric, Curcuma domestica extract, worked as well as the maximum advisable daily dose of ibuprofen to relieve knee arthritis.
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