Five ways to help with knee pain with Dr. Suhyun An, DC, MSN, NP-C

Introduction

When you have knee pain, it can feel like the worst thing in the world. But there are some things you can do to help relieve your knee pain. Here are five tips:

Buy an ice pack.

Ice packs are an easy way to reduce swelling and pain, but it's important to keep them away from your skin. Here's what you need to know:

For best results, use an ice pack for 15-20 minutes at a time before switching over to heat.
Place the ice pack in a towel or cloth so that it doesn't directly touch your skin. If you're using a gel pack instead of frozen water, don't put it on top of the knee—you'll get frostbite! Instead, place it under the kneecap (this works especially well if you have swelling).
Keep in mind that even though ice feels good when applied directly to an injury site (or anywhere else), it can cause tissue damage if left on too long by itself without being wrapped up first.

Wear a knee brace.

Wear a knee brace. A knee brace can help support your knees and reduce pain by protecting them from injury. There are different types of knee braces for different activities, so it's important to choose the right one depending on what you're doing. For example, a patient who has arthritis would benefit from one that's adjustable and comfortable to wear all day long; someone with an ACL tear would need extra support for his or her weak joint.

Dr. Suhyun An, DC, MSN, NP-C says Ideally, you should consult with your doctor before purchasing a knee brace because he or she can recommend which type is best for you based on the severity of your condition and its impact on specific areas (like walking). If this isn't possible due to distance or other factors, then consider purchasing one at a pharmacy or sporting goods store instead—just make sure that it has been approved by Health Canada first!

Sleep with a pillow between your knees.

I suffered from knee pain for years and found that sleeping with a pillow between my knees (either one or both) solved the problem. It keeps my knees from moving, which might help with pain relief. The other benefit is that it keeps my back straight, which can help prevent lower back problems as well.

I usually sleep with both legs bent slightly, but if you have knee pain in only one leg or you can't put your legs together for some reason then just use one pillow instead of two! You could also try putting pillows under your back to keep it straight if you prefer or need more support than just having something between both knees will give you.

Try an over-the-counter pain medicine.

Talk to your doctor. Before you grab the Tylenol, it's important to talk with a healthcare practitioner if you're going to take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Painkillers can have side effects and be addictive, so make sure you know what's right for your body—and make sure it's not a sign of something more serious. Additionally, some pain relievers should be avoided in certain situations (like during pregnancy). If your doctor says it's okay for you to take over-the-counter painkillers on occasion, proceed with caution—and follow their instructions carefully!

Strengthen the muscles around your joints.

Dr. Suhyun An, DC, MSN, NP-C says It's important to strengthen the muscles around your joints because they help support and stabilize them. To do this, take a look at the following exercises:

Squats - Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and toes facing forward. Lower into a sitting position by bending at the knees, keeping your back straight (but not too much). Return to a standing position by raising on tip of your toes and then straightening your legs back out again! This can be done using dumbbells or barbells for added resistance if needed. Try doing 10-15 reps 3 times per week; you'll strengthen all of your leg muscles including hamstrings, glutes (butt), quads (thighs), and calves!
Bridges - Lie on your back with knees bent about 90 degrees over your hips. Rest your feet flat on the floor close to your butt. Lift hips toward the ceiling so body forms an inverted V shape with shoulders directly above knees—this is your starting position." Slowly lower the body down until there is no slack left in the hamstrings (back of thigh muscle). Return quickly to starting position." Repeat 5 times 2x/week for best results." The key here is moving slowly through each repetition so that there is no slack left in hamstring muscles after lowering back down from bridge pose." If you feel pain during this exercise consult with a physical therapist first before continuing any exercises involving weight-bearing activities such as running or jogging (possible risk factor if done incorrectly)."

These things can help with knee pain, but if you have severe or lasting knee pain you should see a doctor

Now, these tips can help with mild knee pain, but if you have severe or lasting knee pain you should see a doctor.

Conclusion

In conclusion, knee pain is one of the most common issues that people face. It can be debilitating and even lead to other problems if not treated appropriately. However, there are many ways to help yourself with this problem including using ice packs, wearing knee braces, and strengthening muscles around your joints by doing exercises such as squats or lunges. If you have severe or lasting knee pain then it's worth seeing a doctor about it so they can recommend treatment options for you specifically!