5 Common Myths About Knee Pain
Knee pain is a common phenomenon among people of all ages, and its management has created several false facts and myths over the years.
But how do you distinguish the truth from a myth when you are dealing with knee pain? Here are the 5 most common myths about knee pain you should stop believing today.
1.Knee Pain is an Inevitable Part of Aging
Many people believe the myth that knee pain is just a part of the aging process. They think that you can’t escape it if you are lucky enough to grow old. However, the truth is that aging does not correlate with knee pain. Growing old can predispose you to certain risk factors that might lead to knee problems, but getting older is not the cause. For example, people start adding weight when they age, and some people, especially menopausal women, develop bone and muscle problems which leads to knee pain if not treated on time. You can escape knee pain when you grow older by watching your weight and bone health.
2. The Origin of All Knee Pain Is the Knee
This myth is not entirely correct as knee pain can also originate from other parts of the body. Knee pain can arise from the lower back, hips, spine, and more. If you have problems with your lower back, the pain and ache can radiate outwards to your knees, and even further down to your foot. The best way to know if your knee pain is from another areas of the body is to check for any sign of tenderness or inflammation at the knee. The knee doesn’t transfer pain to other parts of the body, so if it’s not tender or swollen, then the pain is coming from somewhere else.
3. The Best Treatment for Knee Pain is Over-the-counter NSAIDs
When it comes to managing knee pain, a very common myth is that anti-inflammatory drugs as the best treatment. But this view is wrong.
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and Advil don’t cure your knee pain, they only block sensation to the pain while leaving the underlying cause unattended. When the effect of the medicine wears off, your knee pain will come back with a vengeance if the body hasn’t been able to correct the problem by itself. Studies show that pain relief meds can jeopardize your health due to several adverse effects they cause after prolonged use. Why risk having a stroke or heart attack for momentary pain relief? Several alternatives are safer and more effective.
4. If You Have Knee Pain, Don’t Perform Any Exercise Until the Pain Disappears
Should you work out while recovering from knee pain? Some people believe exercising with knee issues will slow down the healing process, but the opposite is true. Inactivity may help you heal faster, but it can further degrade your already weak muscles and make attaining your pre-injury fitness level more difficult. As much as it’s important to rest while treating a knee injury, some specific low-intensity physical activities can promote recovery when done correctly. There are many stretches and exercises that we provide in our clinic that can heal your knee pain quickly. Please call us at (425) 224-2476 for more information.
5. Surgery Is the Best Long-Term Treatment for Knee Pain
Another myth held by people on knee pain is that a surgical operation is the only way to achieve total recovery. However, this is not entirely true as there are several effective alternatives. Our unique and innovative treatments have helped hundreds of people recover from knee pain all-naturally without drugs. Other options are medication, rest, ice therapy, and heat therapy. These are effective but noninvasive alternatives. Surgery should be a last resort when other methods fail.
