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Do you have knee pain? Pain that just won't go away? Or is it a new pain, and it's getting worse? Knee pain is one of the most common forms of lower limb pain. Our knees are an integral part of our body that help us to stand. They assist with mobility and provide support.
We can do all sorts of activities that take a heavy toll on our knees, such as running, mountaineering, etc. However, over time, they take a lot of wear and tear. Millions of Americans experience knee pain at some point in their lives. Many never seek medical attention for the pain, but this could be making their knee pain worse.
If this sounds like you, consider seeking professional treatment from a pain management NYC specialist to help relieve your knee pain. In this blog, we'll talk about what makes your knee pain worse so that you can avoid it in the future.
1. You're putting too much pressure on your knees
When you walk or run, your legs absorb the impact of each step. That force is transferred through your bones and joints and into your muscles and tendons. The more weight you carry or the faster you move, the more pressure there will be on your knees. So if you're carrying too many pounds or running at high speeds, it's likely that over time this will increase the stress on your knees and cause pain or damage to them.
2. You're doing high-impact exercises without warming up first
If you start doing plyometrics or jumping jacks cold — without warming up first — it's more likely that you'll hurt yourself because these activities require strong muscles to perform effectively. But when your muscles aren't warmed up yet, it's impossible for them to work properly. Consult a physical therapist who can teach you how to warm up and exercise properly so that you can enjoy the benefits of these exercises without hurting yourself.
3. You're ignoring the warning signs
Like any injury, knee pain is your body's way of telling you something isn't right. If you're experiencing pain in your knee, take it seriously and don't ignore it. If you're not sure what's causing the pain, schedule an appointment with a pain physician to help determine what's causing your knee pain.
4. You think it's just "old age"
Knee pain is one of the most common complaints among older adults, but it can also be one of the most frustrating. It's hard to know what exactly is causing your knee pain because the list of possible causes is long and varied.
Many people think the pain in the knees is just a part of getting older. But, like so many other aches and pains, knee pain may be more than just a part of aging. As we get older, our bodies are more likely to develop certain conditions that can worsen knee pain. These include arthritis, gout, and osteoporosis. But don't just chalk up your pain to being "old" — these conditions can often be treated and managed with pain management techniques.
5. You're overweight or obese
Excess weight puts extra stress on your knees every time you take a step or climb stairs; this extra stress increases wear and tear on cartilage and other soft tissues in the joint over time. If you have arthritis in your knees or have had surgery on them in the past, losing weight may help ease your symptoms by reducing this additional stress on your joints.
6. You sit for a long period of time
When you sit, your knees are bent, and weight is transferred to the outer edges of the feet. This causes your hips to flex and your quadriceps to tighten, which can lead to discomfort in the knees. If you work at a desk all day and don't break up this sitting time with frequent walks and stretches, then you could be putting yourself at risk for developing knee injuries or arthritis over time.
7. You stand in one place too long
When you're standing for long periods of time, the muscles in your legs get tired and tense up. If you're not moving around, this can put extra pressure on your knees.
You know you need to move around, but you don't know how often you should be getting up and walking around during the day. A few studies have explored this question, and they suggest that it's best to get up from your desk every 15 minutes or so. This helps improve circulation and reduces swelling in your legs, which can lead to knee pain.
8. You don't exercise enough
Even if you avoid strenuous activities like jogging and football, exercise can help strengthen muscles around your knees and reduce stress on them. Exercises like squats, lunges, and step-ups are especially helpful because they improve balance and flexibility in the lower body.
9. You haven't seen a specialist
If you have been experiencing knee pain for several days or weeks, it's important to seek medical attention. It is important to get an accurate evaluation from a doctor who specializes in musculoskeletal conditions because there are many things that can cause knee pain.
10. You're not getting the right treatment
Many people who suffer from knee pain say they've had it for years, but they've never visited a doctor. Knee pain can be caused by a number of different factors, so it's important to get an accurate diagnosis before starting any treatment.
If you're suffering from a knee problem, visit a specialist as soon as possible. Get medical attention right away because this could be an indication of more serious problems. The sooner you see a doctor, the better. You may be able to identify and treat the underlying cause of your knee pain before it becomes more serious or debilitating. A pain physician will be able to give you treatment options that are best for your situation.
11. You're not going to physical therapy
Physical therapists are trained professionals who specialize in helping people regain their mobility after injury or surgery. Even if you have an old sports injury from years ago, physical therapy can help reduce inflammation and improve your range of motion after surgery or injury.
Physical therapy can help ease knee pain by strengthening muscles and improving flexibility. It may also include treatments such as ultrasound or electrical stimulation to reduce inflammation around tendons and ligaments that run through your knee joint. The goal is to strengthen muscles that support your knee joint and improve alignment so your bones aren't rubbing against each other too much when you walk or run.
Takeaway
As you can see, there are actually a lot of ways that you could be making your knee pain worse. Remembering these different causes can help you avoid future problems. Don't be afraid to seek treatment from a pain management NYC specialist and get the right treatment for your knee pain to avoid having it linger so that you can get back to being on your feet doing what you want!