According to the Mayo Clinic, almost one in three Americans suffer from knee pain. Knee pain can be the result of an injury or torn ligament. If it is chronic, though, it is usually related to tendinitis or arthritis. Both can cause inflammation in the knee as a result of overuse, age or other degenerative conditions. Symptoms include aching, stiffness when getting out of bed, decreased mobility and a feeling of warmth in the knee. If caught early, there are some natural, alternative treatments for knee pain and its inflammation.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Alternating between hot and cold baths or heating and cooling pads can help relieve inflammation in the knee. Ice massages can also help. Apply an ice pack directly to the knee for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day.
Stretching and Yoga
Stretching is important to loosen up the area surrounding the knee. Knee pain can be caused by tight muscles that pull on the tendons. Practice yoga or stretch the knee, hamstrings, quadriceps and calves two to three times a day for 10 minutes.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapists can be very helpful in relieving pain caused by tight muscles, tendons or ligaments surrounding the knee. They can identify what areas are tight and loosen those to relieve the pressure from the knee. They can also break up adhesions and scar tissue, which can cause tightness.
Acupuncture
According to the Mayo Clinic, "Research suggests that acupuncture may help relieve pain for some people." Fine needles are placed along meridians in the body to help restore energy paths and balance the body's life force. Chinese medicine believes that pain in the knee or other parts of the body can be relieved by releasing endorphins stimulated by the needles.
Supplements
Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are compounds naturally found in the fluid surrounding the joints throughout the body, including the knee. These compounds can be bought in supplement and have been found to reduce joint inflammation. According to Heartspring.net, "Glucosamine sulfate improves the health of joints affected by osteoarthritis. This supplement is so effective that even physicians who mostly rely on conventional medications routinely recommend it to their patients with osteoarthritis."
