About Jessica's Cosmetic Surgeries

Treating Knee Pain With Physical Therapy

12 April 2023 by Ross Martin

The human body is a living machine capable of great things. But, with the passing of time, many issues may start arising. These issues may not compromise life itself but may have grave effects on the quality of life of the people suffering from them. A very common issue people face is chronic knee pain. Between 15 and 20% of the male population in the US lives with chronic knee pain, and for women, it is worse: more than 20% suffer from it.

To solve this issue, the health science community has come up with all sorts of therapies. One of the most robust is physical therapy to recover the knee. And to comprehend its effectiveness, it is crucial to understand how it works.

Treating knee pain with physical therapy

The knee is a joint, meaning it is a moving part of the body composed of bones, ligaments, cartilage, and muscles. Age, trauma, disease, and everyday wear and tear may compromise these tissues. Every part of the knee serves a purpose, and all of them can be enhanced by strengthening the knee. First, the muscles can be considered the main focus of physical therapy. The muscles serve the purpose of mobilizing the knee joint. But also, thanks to their strength and volume, they help stabilize the knee. By the musculature creating a healthy amount of torque and stress, the bones will get triggered into developing stronger structural integrity.

Apart from more strength and stability, physical therapy makes the brain more aware of the knee tissues. What this means is that the brain can move precisely every muscle, feeling the proper range of motion of the knee. In this sense, creating a safe movement for the chronic knee pain patient. This neurological enhancement also develops quicker and more effective reflexes. Which in turn helps people avoid falling when the inevitable slip occurs. And, thanks to all of these changes, the load on cartilage, ligaments, and tendons starts diminishing, allowing for the recovery of the damaged tissue.

Overall, physical therapy is the most effective way to push the body into restoring the knee's tissues. Which not only reduces chronic pain but also reduces the risk of developing degenerative knee conditions. This, in turn, makes the treatment of chronic knee pain more effective. This does not mean there is no need for pharmaceuticals, injections, stem cells, etc. But, as part of the general therapeutic approach, physical therapy is invaluable.

Reach out to a clinic that offers knee pain physical therapy to learn more.

Share