Can Physical Therapy Reduce Knee Pain? 

Pain in your knee joint can interfere with your activities and affect your quality of life. Fortunately, you don’t have to feel knee pain for long.

There are several treatments for knee pain, including physical therapy. This treatment method is non-invasive and focuses on improving function. This article explores the causes of knee pain and how treatment at Summit Physical Therapy can help. 

Kindly read along.

Causes of Knee Pain

Knee pain can result from different factors. Some of the common causes of knee pain include:

• Muscle Weakness: Your knee will become unstable if the muscles that move it are weak. This makes you prone to injury and knee pain.
• Joint stiffness: A stiff joint can limit your range of motion and cause pain. Injury to the joint can cause stiffness.
• Inflammation: An inflamed knee causes swelling, redness, and warmth. You may be unable to move your knee or experience difficulty trying to do so.
• Alignment issues: Improper knee joint alignment can cause excessive stress and wear and tear on your knee, leading to pain.

How Can Physical Therapy Reduce Knee Pain?

Physical therapy can treat the underlying causes of knee pain. Therefore, this treatment ensures that you regain function and mobility. Physical therapy also prevents your pain from worsening or recurring. It also avoids or delays the need for replacement surgery.

Physical therapy Merrick can treat knee pain in the following ways;

Stretching Exercises

Stretching can loosen tight muscles that cause knee pain. This treatment can also improve the knee joint’s range of motion and flexibility. 

Your physical therapist may suggest exercises like the standing quad stretch, the basic hamstring stretch, and the downward dog calf stretch for knee pain.

Strengthening Exercises

Strengthening exercises can help build the muscles that support and stabilize the knee joint. These exercises also improve the endurance and strength of the knee, preventing muscle weakness.

Your physical therapist may recommend knee pain exercises like straight leg raises, side-lying leg lifts, clamshells, bridges, and mini squats.

Balance and Proprioception Exercises

Balance and proprioception help improve the coordination of the knee. They also prevent falls and accidents. Balance and proprioception exercises can also enhance the confidence and safety of your knee during movement. 

Your physical therapists may recommend single-leg stance, tandem stance, heel-to-toe walk, single-leg hop, and wobble board exercises for knee pain. These balance and proprioception exercises are easy to do and reduce the risk of injury.

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy can help mobilize the knee joint and soft tissues. This treatment is hands-on. Your physical therapist will use manual therapy to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness.

Massage, joint mobilization, and dry needling are common manual therapy techniques for knee pain. These techniques are safe, and they target stiff knee muscles. You should experience relief after a manual therapy session for knee pain.

Modalities

Modalities stimulate blood flow, promote relaxation, and speed up healing. Your physical therapist will use modalities to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.

Common modalities for knee pain Merrick include ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation. Your physical therapist will target these modalities where you are feeling pain. 

Modalities are not painful. They are safe when done by your physical therapist in Merrick, NY. The treatment is also relaxing and can help you regain function.

Education

Education can help you prevent and manage knee pain. Your physical therapist in Merrick will help you understand your condition and the causes of your pain. They will also give you tips on how to take care of your knee and prevent further damage.

Your physical therapist will also teach you to use modalities like ice and heat therapy for pain relief. These modalities are safe, but you need to know how to use them, when, and for how long. This important information is part of the education your physical therapist will give you.

You will also learn the best type of shoes or braces for your condition. Knowing how to use these assistive devices properly can prevent further damage. 

You will also learn how to modify your exercises and their duration. Overloading your knee may worsen your pain.

Conclusion

Physical therapy can reduce knee pain by addressing the underlying causes. Your physical therapist will tailor your treatment to manage your condition and preferences. You will also receive education on preventing knee pain, modifying your exercise routines, and using assistive devices.

Physical therapy not only treats knee pain. It aims to prevent a recurrence of the condition. You should visit a physical therapist if you have difficulty walking or performing your daily activities.

The physical therapists at Summit Physical Therapy, Merrick, NY, will work with you to address your concerns. You can book a consultation to get an examination of your condition.