Knee pain can arise from a sudden twist or blow to the joint, and from degeneration caused by osteoporosis, osteoarthritis or obesity. You can sustain acute traumas while dancing, playing sports or taking a fall. Chronic degeneration may be hereditary or a result of nutrient deficiency or aging. Whether you face a short-term or chronic knee problem, home treatment can provide pain relief and help you avoid recurrences.
Rest
Active damage to knees may be severe enough to force you to take the weight off the area and rest. As home treatments go, this is obviously the easiest. Experts on joint and bone disease at the Maryland Spine Center remind patients to rest, first and foremost, for immediate pain relief.
You may stubbornly work through flare-ups of recurrent knee pain, but that does nothing to alleviate the situation and may affect your overall health. Pain is debilitating, as the body responds to inflammation at the expense of other vital functions. Use cushions to achieve a comfortable position. Sitting upright or elevating the legs may create a detrimental stretch.
Hot/Cold Therapy
Heating and/or cooling the knee area is an effective home treatment of pain relief for joints and the muscles surrounding them, according to the American Pain Society. Alternating heat and cold may alleviate pain caused by joint disease or damage. If you've suffered an acute strain or sprain, however, use cold therapy only.
You can apply a hot water bottle for 20 minutes or longer, followed by a cold compress or bag of frozen peas for 20 minutes or less. A convenient pliable hot/cold gel pack can be warmed in the microwaved and cooled in the refrigerator.
Oral Pain Relievers
Medical professionals claim that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin work well at relieving the inflammation behind knee pain. Because there may be residual stiffness and aching after the swelling subsides, take NSAIDs long enough to effect pain relief, and take as directed every 4 to 6 hours.
Physical Therapy
Do-it-yourself physical therapy can reduce knee pain in the long run by strengthening muscles and joints. Local pain may involve the whole leg, so home treatment should focus on stretching longitudinally and laterally. The American Chiropractic Association recommends stretches for the "hamstring," piriformis and gluteus muscles that may relieve or prevent pain in the knee area.
