What Causes Knee Joint Pain?
Knee joint pain is never really a result of a single cause. While temporary knee pain, which is caused by an injury, usually fades away on its own, that on and off pain in your knee could be due to certain underlying causes that need to be treated. Physical conditions or diseases that are responsible for chronic knee pain are:
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint that may cause pain, swelling, and inflammation. Tendinitis – Pain in the front of the knee that makes physical movements like climbing the stairs painful. Bursitis – Inflammation of the knee joint caused by repeated overuse or injury of the knee. Chondromalacia patella – Damage to the cartilage under the kneecap. Gout – Elevated levels of uric acid in the body that results in arthritis. Baker’s cyst – Build-up of synovial fluid right behind the knee. Rheumatoid arthritis – An autoimmune disorder that causes pain and swelling in the affected joint, often leading to the erosion of the bone. Meniscus tear – A rupture of one or multiple cartilages of the knee. Torn ligament – A tear in any one of the four knee ligaments. Bone tumors that develop near the knee.
No matter what the cause of your constant knee pain is, the following remedies can offer relief to a great extent.
How To Treat Knee Joint Pain Naturally
Home Remedies To Reduce Knee Joint Pain
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar 1 glass of warm water
You must do this twice daily. Apple cider vinegar, whether it is consumed or applied topically, helps combat knee joint pain. It contains acetic acid that exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce the pain and swelling in the affected area (1).
2. Ginger
1-inch piece of ginger 1 cup of water Gauze or a clean washcloth
Do this several times daily for best results. Ginger was found to help individuals suffering from knee pain due to osteoarthritis (2). The presence of compounds like gingerol makes it a powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic remedy (3).
3. Turmeric
1 teaspoon of turmeric 1 glass of coconut or almond milk
Do this twice daily. Curcumin, the major component of turmeric, is a powerful anti-inflammatory compound. It was found to alleviate symptoms of joint pain and inflammation in multiple studies owing to its anti-inflammatory properties (4), (5).
4. Cayenne Pepper
3 tablespoons of cayenne pepper 1 cup of olive oil ½ cup of grated beeswax A double boiler A lidded glass jar
You must apply this mixture to the affected area multiple times daily. Cayenne pepper is an excellent remedy for treating knee joint pain as it contains capsaicin. Capsaicin acts as a natural pain reliever due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities (6).
5. Lemon
1 lemon 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
You must do this 3 to 4 times daily. Lemons have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the inflammation, pain, and swelling that accompany knee pain (7).
6. Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil (as required) Do this 3 to 4 times daily for effective results. The active constituents of olive oil include biologically active polyphenols like hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleocanthal, and oleuropein. All these compounds have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that work wonderfully in treating knee joint pain (8).
7. Coconut Oil
Extra virgin coconut oil (as required) Do this several times in a day. Coconut oil can help reduce the inflammation and pain associated with knee joint pain with its anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities (9).
8. Fenugreek Seeds
2 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds 1 glass of water
You must do this daily. Fenugreek seeds possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that work wonders in treating the pain and inflammation associated with knee joint pain (10).
9. Dandelion Leaves
10-12 dandelion leaves 1 cup of water Honey
You must consume dandelion leaves 1 to 2 times daily for best results. Regular consumption of dandelion leaves can help relieve knee pain to a great extent, and this is due to their powerful anti-inflammatory properties (11).
10. Mustard Oil
Mustard oil (as required) You must do this several times a day. The topical application of mustard oil can help relieve pain and inflammation in the affected knee (12).
11. Essential Oils
a. Peppermint Oil
7 drops of peppermint oil 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
Do this multiple times a day. One of the main components of peppermint oil is menthol. Menthol is naturally anti-inflammatory and can help relieve the pain and inflammation associated with knee pain (13).
b. Frankincense Oil
7 drops of frankincense oil 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
You must do this multiple times daily. The anti-inflammatory nature of frankincense oil helps lessen the pain (14).
12. Epsom Salt Soak
1 cup of Epsom salt Water
Do this once daily for the desired effects. Since Epsom salt contains magnesium and sulfate, its powerful pain-relieving properties are not a surprise. Magnesium is known to reduce inflammation within your body to a great extent – which makes Epsom salt an amazing remedy for knee joint pain (15).
13. Hot And Cold Packs
A hot pack A cold pack
Do this throughout the day for immediate pain relief. A combination of hot and cold packs offers immediate relief from pain, swelling, and inflammation. While the ice pack numbs the affected area, the hot pack stimulates blood circulation in the knee (16).
14. Vitamins
You can include foods rich in vitamins D and C in your diet to get relief from chronic knee joint pain. Vitamin D is necessary for enhancing your bone health, whereas vitamin C is responsible for producing collagen – which is an important protein found in your knee tendons (17), (18). Consume milk, cheese, poultry, eggs, citrus fruits, broccoli, and spinach to get the required both these vitamins. These remedies can help relieve knee joint pain easily. However, to maintain their effect, you can incorporate the following tips into your lifestyle. They will also help in preventing the recurrence of knee pain.
Prevention Tips
Maintain a healthy weight. Wear proper fitting shoes. Warm up before you exercise. Indulge in low impact exercises. Do not decrease your physical activity. Practice yoga. Try Tai Chi. Follow a healthy nutritious diet.
When to see a doctor for knee pain? If your knee aches or has swollen or become red and tender to touch, consult a doctor without further delay. Is cycling good for knee pain? Since cycling is not a high impact sport, it is relatively safe for those suffering from knee pain. Walking and swimming are also easy on the knees. Does kinesology tape work for knee pain? Kinesiology tape can alleviate pain and make movement easier. It can also reduce symptoms of inflammation and swelling when used correctly. Why do you get knee pain during pregnancy? During pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes. As a result of these changes, it is common to have increased joint and muscle pains. Which exercise is best for knee pain? Knee stretch, unweighted flexion, ankle stretch, and single hamstring stretch exercises may help manage knee pain. However, do them under the supervision of a fitness professional to avoid injuries. Which foods are not good for knee pain? Processed and sugary foods, red meat, salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and alcohol are not good for knee pain. Is Vicks good for knee pain? Anecdotal evidence suggests that Vicks may help ease knee pain. However, limited data is available in this regard.
