How to Relieve Knee Pain

Whether you’re a competitive athlete or an avid walker, dealing with knee pain can prevent you from enjoying some of your favorite physical activities. In fact, knee pain is a common grievance among adults who experience wear and tear in their joints from activities such as walking, lifting, or running.ⁱ Common knee problems can range from sprained knee ligaments, which causes swelling and difficulty in walkingⁱⁱ, to osteoarthritis, in which the cartilage in your joint slowly wears away.ⁱⁱⁱ Regardless of what knee pain you may be experiencing, there are solutions out there that can help relieve any discomfort or pain you’re feeling. We'll explore various ways you can find knee pain relief, including exercise, acupuncture, and over-the-counter medicines.

Exercise

Exercise can be good for people who suffer from knee pain, as it can increase flexibility and strength, as well as reduce joint pain.^iv Though you may think excerise could aggrevate the joints in your knees, a lack of exercise can make your joints more stiff and painful.^v Low-impact aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming, and using an elliptical machine are perfect examples of exercise that are good for your joints without causing too much stress to the body.^vi

Some tips to consider when exercising are: moving slow and easy within your exercise to avoid applying too much pressure to your knee joints, stretching five to 10 minutes before you move on to aerobic exercises, and applying ice to joints for up to 20 minutes afer exercising to reduce any swelling.^vii

Acupuncture

If you’re wondering how to relieve knee pain in a more natural way, then you can look into acupuncture. The practice of acupuncture involves placing hair-thin needles into the body to help promote pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.^viii In fact, many clinical studies show that acupuncture releases endogenous opioid endorphins, the body’s natural pain relieving checmicals.^ix Consult with a certified acupuncturist to receive a detailed assessment of your pain, as well as a treatment plan for you.

Over-the-Counter Medication

For more relief of your knee pain, it may be worth getting an over-the-counter medication. The most commonly known OTC medication is acetaminophen, which helps fight minor aches and pains.^x Another common class of medication to help relieve pain caused by inflammation are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). An example of an oral NSAID is ibuprofen, which can be taken every 4-6 hours while symptoms persist. Be sure to always read the product label to make sure you are taking the right dose.

For knee pain caused by osteoarthritis you could also try a topical NSAID, such as Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel. This topical gel can be applied to the skin directly at the site of pain for powerful arthritis pain relief.

If you’ve been looking for knee pain relief, we hope these suggestions help. If you are not sure what is causing your knee pain it is best to talk to a doctor or healthcare provider to help diagnose the problem. Then you can choose a treatment plan that is right for you. You should consult your doctor or healthcare provider to better understand your knee pain. For additional resources on knee pain and arthritis, check out our articles on how to manage chronic knee pain and more.