Physical therapy is used to restore the strength and fluidity of the body following a knee injury. This form of treatment helps both to return a healthy range of motion to your joint and to alleviate knee pain.
Several different general strategies are used during physical therapy to achieve the best possible outcomes. Those tactics are outlined below, along with a couple of bonus tips to reduce pain symptoms, as recommended by a physical therapist.
Knee injury treatment – 6 physical therapy techniques
Six of the most common methods used for rehabilitation of the knees are the following:
- Stretching – Stretching helps to reestablish the flexibility of your knees. It also breaks down the scar tissue, generated during an injury, that can prevent a hasty recovery.
- Knee exercises – Exercising, like stretching, can alleviate knee pain during movement by restoring your range of motion. It also strengthens the joints and surrounding tissues.
- Core exercises – In recent years, physical therapists have started focusing more on the core of the body, regardless of the specific site of damage. Core strengthening targets the abdomen, pelvis, and back to promote overall stability.
- Ice & heat – Icing and heating can both improve circulation and reduce swelling.
- Ultrasound – This method utilizes sound waves that are higher than the perceptible range for deep-tissue heating. It stimulates blood flow as well.
- Electrical stimulation – This modality adjusts neural communication and muscle contractility in and around the knee. Like the above techniques, it aids with circulation as well.
Knee injury care – 2 bonus pain relief tips
In addition to the above efforts, you can try the following two pain relief strategies http://life.gaiam.com/article/best-ways-ease-knee-pain-5-tips-physical-therapist (once properly instructed by a physical therapist to avoid reinjury):
- Strengthening the buttocks – Knee injury care extends beyond the joints themselves. When large muscles within the hips are not strong enough, knee injuries become more likely. The muscles of the buttocks are generally weak in the United States, causing excess force on the joints of the legs. Hip extensions can help to strengthen them.
- Keeping weight in check – If you are overweight, you are four (women) or five (men) times more susceptible to knee arthritis. One recent study revealed that for those who are obese, cutting weight by 10% improved knee functionality 28%.
Quality knee injury treatment
At Weston Medical, we specialize in the treatment of pain. Our Intra Articular Joint Program (IAJP) provides care that is specially designed for each patient so that recovery is personally optimized. Weston Medical fosters an environment of teamwork through a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating the expertise of various specialties.
