Many people take their knees for granted, not realizing how important they are and how constant and continual use can lead to pain and discomfort down the line. While particularly true for athletes, just about anyone can be subject to sore knee joints as a result of overuse, inactivity or injury. As time goes on, the condition can worsen and this can be hastened when other illness or conditions are present, such as knee tendonitis or health conditions that slow healing. There is no single way to permanently and quickly alleviate sore knee joints. Physical therapy and regular exercise are both important to knee pain treatment. And, if a specific condition is causing the discomfort such as arthritis or osteoporosis, medications such as prescription osteoporosis medication or over the counter pain relievers may be required in some instances. However, some people don’t prefer the long term use of medications, or find that their medicinal and physical therapy is not adequate to relieve sore knee joints on their own and choose to explore other options. Aside from a wide variety of vitamins that might provide some benefit, other treatment options including three great new types of alternative therapy are available.
Surprisingly, one of the most overlooked vitamins that can help provide natural pain relief to various joints throughout the body is Vitamin C. Known for boosting immunity and helping people stave off the common cold, there is a lot more to the citrus agent than just immunity support. The vitamin also provides a lot of benefit to various connective tissues throughout the body such as the ligaments and tendons, as well as bones and joints. Those prone to sports injuries will not want to miss out on a healthy daily dose of vitamin C, and sufferers of arthritis, osteoarthritis and other conditions that cause joint pain may also benefit from adequate levels of vitamin C in the body. Other vitamins that can help provide relief for sore knee joints amongst other things include calcium, vitamin E and vitamin D3. Supplements that may contain these vitamins may also incorporate natural healers like green tea, turmeric, ginger, omega 3s, glucosamine, bromelain, devil’s claw and stinging nettle.
Vitamins, nutrients and supplements can all contribute to healthier bodies and in turn, healthier joints making them a good long term solution to better overall joint health. However, they don’t provide prompt relief for sore knee joints. For that, medications are often the first line of treatment. But, there are natural options for treating sore knee joints that can provide prompt, safe and effective relief in many individuals.
One type of treatment involves natural topicals. Because osteoarthritis of the knee and other conditions that cause the joints in the knee to become sore can cause pain and discomfort, these types of externally applied treatments are really beneficial and can provide instant pain relief. One such example is a peppermint and eucalyptus oil that uses between five and ten drops of each essential oil combined with a soothing carrier oil like olive oil. When combined, the resulting non-irritant solution can provide prompt relief thanks to the natural analgesic properties of the essential oils.
Cold therapy is another often overlooked natural therapy option that can provide rapid pain relief for sore knee joints. On a smaller scale, cold laser therapy targets specific areas of discomfort and has been proven in some studies to significantly reduce pain in the knees from osteoarthritis when compared to a placebo group. The treatment is effective and can help reduce discomfort from sore knee joints. However, it’s not covered by insurance and requires numerous treatments that average around fifty dollars apiece and only provides treatment to a specific, targeted area.
A perhaps better choice if cold therapy is considered for the treatment of sore knee joints is whole body cryotherapy. The procedure involves the use of cryo saunas or cryo chambers that allow the entire exterior of the body (often excluding the head) to be supercooled rapidly for a period of just a couple of minutes. It’s thought that cryotherapy results are attributable to numerous physiological processes that take place as a result of the stimulation. The immune, endocrine and nervous systems are all thought to be affected, resulting in prompt pain relief and lingering effects that include increased energy and documented reductions in inflammation over time. The inflammation relieving properties associated with cryotherapy pain relief are becoming more and more well known, to the extent that even celebrities like Tony Robbins find benefit in the procedure. Because inflammation is very often the underlying cause of sore knee joints, whole body cryotherapy may provide a very useful form of natural treatment. Although multiple sessions are required and like cold laser therapy, insurance isn’t likely to cover its cost, the benefits of using a cryo sauna or cryo chamber are many. Unlike localized treatments, the entire body can benefit in both the short and long term without worrying about medication side effects while other problems that may be affecting the body are also helped as an aside to the primary joint treatment.
Conditions and discomfort previously only treatable with medications and surgery are now easier than ever to treat with dietary changes, vitamins and supplements and natural and alternative types of therapy. Technological advances have made it possible for alternative therapies to not only compete with traditional remedies, but possibly even provide enhanced or greater benefit as well.