Knee pain? Possible causes and 6 practical treatment methods

Knee pain is an unpleasant sensation and can sometimes come on out of the blue. It is often caused by overuse, but it can also stem from other symptoms or conditions. Here you can read about possible causes of knee pain, and of course how to treat it.

What could be causing knee pain?

Knee pain can have many different causes. Sometimes there is a clear trigger, such as a fall or a twist. But it may also be that the sore knee suddenly flares up, without you knowing what’s causing it. These are common reasons why people experience knee pain:

Overuse: due to sport, a lot of walking or standing for long periods.
Weak muscles or poor posture: this puts extra strain on the knee.
Injuries: such as a sprain or a tear.
Wear and tear: this is particularly common in older people, for example due to osteoarthritis, which causes the cartilage to thin and the knee joint to become more sensitive.
Inflammation: for example, due to tendonitis or bursitis, recognisable by warmth, redness or swelling.
Old injury: caused by previous damage to the knee that is causing symptoms again.

If knee pain develops gradually, there’s a good chance the knee is overloaded. Fortunately, this can be treated effectively. However, it’s important to be sure that this is actually the case.

What do you feel when your knee is overloaded?

If your knee is overloaded, you’ll usually notice this as a nagging sensation and stabbing pain around the knee joint. The knee may also feel stiff and heavy, and there may be slight swelling. In some cases, you may experience a cracking or grinding sensation when bending or straightening the knee, and you may have reduced strength and feel unstable.

This pain usually develops gradually and goes away with enough rest. However, even if your knee pain has a different cause, it’s important to treat it properly. You can read how to do this below.

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Source: Pexels

How to treat your sore knee

In many cases, knee pain can be managed effectively at home. However, if there is a clear cause or if the pain is severe, it is important to see a doctor. You can also try the following methods yourself to help your sore knee recover.

1. Get plenty of rest

Especially at the start, it’s important to get plenty of rest, particularly if the pain is caused by overuse. Make sure you don’t jump, run or perform any other strenuous movements until the pain has eased.

2. Cool the knee

In the first 24–48 hours after the pain starts, it’s a good idea to cool the knee frequently. Use an ice pack or, if necessary, wrap something from the freezer in a cloth. This helps to reduce or prevent swelling and often relieves the pain.

3. Do gentle exercises

Once the rest period is over, it’s a good idea to do certain exercises. Strengthening the muscles around the knee helps to reduce the strain on it. You should also do some stretches to make the area a bit more flexible.

4. Apply heat to the knee

After cooling during the first 48 hours, it’s actually beneficial to apply heat. This promotes good blood circulation and relaxes the muscles around the knee. A warm bath or a cosy blanket may be all you need.

5. Other support

If your knee remains unstable or weak, it may help to use a knee brace or tape. This helps to stabilise the joint and prevents the knee from being put under further strain.

6. Use red light therapy

Red light therapy helps to reduce pain and speed up the healing process. It stimulates blood flow and supports tissue repair. You can use this at home, for example with the PowerCure Pro laser.

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Does red light therapy help with knee pain?

Red light therapy helps with knee pain caused by various factors. These include overuse and stiffness, as well as conditions such as osteoarthritis. Here’s exactly what the red light does:

It stimulates blood flow: this means more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the damaged tissues.
It supports tissue repair: red light stimulates the mitochondria in the cells, enabling muscles, tendons and cartilage to recover more quickly.
It reduces inflammation and pain: it inhibits the production of inflammatory substances and pain signals in the nerves.

Red light therapy is non-invasive and completely safe. Particularly when combined with rest and certain exercises, it helps to treat or even prevent knee pain.

PowerCure red light therapy for painful knees

The PowerCure laser is a red light therapy device that you can use for knee pain. The laser’s red light offers the benefits mentioned above, enabling you to treat or prevent your painful knee. What’s more, it helps not only with knee pain, but also with many other complaints and conditions – in both humans and animals! The great thing about this laser is that you can simply use it at home, so the whole household can benefit.

Check out the PowerCure Pro laser

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