What Is Knee Pain?

Knee pain is not limited to people of a certain age or older people, and it is a common complaint in people of all ages. The causes of knee pain are various, such as injury, torn ligament or cartilage, and medical conditions like arthritis, osteoarthritis, infection, or gout.

Aging and being overweight are other heavy contributors to the chances of having knee pain.

The early symptoms of knee problems start with pain in knee joints and surrounding muscles, restricted motion, popping or locking up of the knee, swelling, and stiffness.

More than 14 million North Americans complain of knee pain, and it is a general cause of musculoskeletal disability among the North American population. More than 10% of men and around 13% of women aged 60 or above have symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. 

Primary Causes Of Knee Pain 

The most diagnosed types of arthritis that cause chronic knee pain are:

• Osteoarthritis is a degenerative type of arthritis that occurs due to aging and overuse of knees in athletes. In this condition, the cartilage deteriorates and leaves the knee bones exposed.

• Rheumatoid arthritis is a severe type of arthritis and autoimmune. The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are vague; some experts suggest it happens due to a viral infection, problems in the autoimmune system, or glands and hormones. The pain in joints results from inflammation in tissues around knee joints. It can affect any part of the body and the knees, and its severity may vary.

• Gout: the overproduction of uric acid is the primary reason behind triggering gout. The uric acid crystals that cause chronic pain in the knee and toe joints are formed around the knee joints.

As these conditions progress, symptoms become serious if not addressed. As the pain grows to be constant, movement, standing, walking, and any physical activity become restrictive and painful. 

Knee Pain Caused By Injury 

Another reason for knee pain is a knee injury. Knee injuries are endured mainly by athletes and people who do physical work. When a knee is injured, the meniscus is often torn, causing severe pain. Any forceful and heavy rotation or twist in the knee during physical activity can lead to a sprained and torn meniscus.

Knee joints have their protection mechanism in the shape of two cushions of cartilage that rest between the shinbone and thighbone.

Damage to these menisci leaves the knee with limited and painful mobility, swelling, and stiffness. A knee injury can also happen in an accident. Knee injuries sometimes become the trigger for arthritis or osteoarthritis.

Treatment Of Knee Pain Through Massage Therapy 

The most common treatment for knee pain is medicine or surgery. Physiotherapy is another way of recovering from knee pain caused by injury. Many other alternative forms of treatment have also proven helpful.

Massage therapy can treat chronic conditions like arthritis or chronic pains resulting from injuries. The data published by the North American Massage Therapy Association are auspicious.

Massage therapy concerning pain relief is highly effective. As we know, medical treatment through medicine and painkillers leaves so many side effects, such as addiction, troubled mental health, etc.

On the other hand, massage therapy is proven to relieve pain and is good for overall mental health because it induces relaxation, the release of oxytocin, and better blood circulation. Along with treating pain, massage therapy has countless other benefits. 

Whether any type of arthritis or injury causes it, the knee pain includes stiffness, swelling, restricted movement of the knee, popping of the knee, and widespread pain that can be helped with massage therapy.

Massage is a supplementary treatment, while pain medication and physiotherapy are prescribed. Massage therapy offers positively effective pain relief and enables you to function in day-to-day life if you have chronic knee pain. 

Benefits Of Knee Massage 

Massage therapy is an alternative way of treatment for knee pain. The side effects and limited benefits of prescriptive medicine are not hidden. So, people sought alternative treatments that left zero side effects. The benefits of massage therapy are referred to in several studies, and AMTA often publishes these studies. Massaging a painful knee has several advantages: 

• Better blood circulation

• Decreasing the swelling

• Better blood flow toward the joint

• Pain relief and reducing stiffness in muscle and joint

• Improving the joint fluid

Massage therapy of the affected knee is helpful in toning and improving the flexibility of muscles and joints and offers stability.

Furthermore, massage therapy has minimum to no side effects, and it enhances the functionality of joints and muscles, enhances positive mood, and relaxes the body.

Although massage therapy does not tend to replace medical treatment, physiotherapy, or other factors such as weight loss, it is a supplementary treatment that only has a positive impact. 

What To Know About Knee Massage? 

Massage for painful knees should be done carefully. Safety is most important. If you have pain in your knees, you should know the symptoms and causes. It is better to consult your healthcare provider about your knee condition. Before massaging or getting a massage, the therapist must ensure it is safe.

A professional and certified massage therapist may also advise you on the safety of getting a massage because sometimes inflammation in joints can worsen if the massage method is not suitable. Remember, the purpose of massage therapy is to provide you relief and reduce your pain, not increase it. 

Self-Massage Techniques 

Before going to a massage therapist, try your hand at self-massage.

Several techniques for self-massage are efficient and safe, as suggested by the American massage therapy association. You can perform massage with or without any moisturizing or lubricating agent. Following are some tips for self-massage:

1. Start by tapping your hand on the thigh's upper, middle, and lower parts to perform a self-massage. Adjust the pressure to bearable; keep tapping one place for 40 to 60 seconds and move to the next part of the thigh. You can repeat this cycle a couple of times.

2. Now, sit so your knee extends while your heel is on the floor. Put your hand, palm down on the thigh, apply a little pressure, and slide your hand from the top of the thigh towards the knee; stop above the knee. You can repeat this process five to ten times in one sitting. You can apply the same sequence of strokes on the inner and outer sides of the thigh.

3. Press all your fingers into the tissue around the knee. Apply a little pressure and move your fingers in circles. Repeat these strokes five to six times on each side of the knee.

4. Lastly, extend your leg in front of you when sitting. Put the palm of your hand on the thigh and slide towards the kneecap. Keep repeating these strokes a few times on the inside and outside of the thigh. And you are done with the massage of your knee.

Professional Massage Therapy.

Massage therapy is a great option to treat knee pain and recover from a knee injury. Sometimes self-massage is challenging to perform or not enough to provide relief.

A professional massage therapist is a trained and certified person who can choose a specific technique of massage that is appropriate and right for your knee.

A professional massage therapist knows the difference between an injured and an arthritic knee and offers treatment accordingly.

Several studies have found positive results of massage therapy for knee pain treatment. One research paper revealed that the patients with arthritis who received sixty minutes of weekly massage had lower pain levels and were better at performing daily functions than those who received standard medical care.

Visiting a professional massage therapist may positively change your treatment and improve your overall life by reducing your pain. If you want to see a massage therapist, keep in mind the following things: 

• Talk openly and clearly with your massage therapist about your knee condition. When it gets more painful, how is the movement of your knee? This way, the massage therapist will have a clear idea of what kind of massage will be better for you; they can offer customized massage therapy.

• The massage is to reduce your pain, not increase it. Communicate with your therapist if you feel discomfort or pain during the massage.

Massage Therapy Combined With Acupuncture

Alternative treatments like massage therapy to treat knee pain and injury may become more effective when combined with Acupuncture. Acupuncture for knee pain from osteoarthritis and treatment of knee injury are recommended in national guidelines for physicians.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese treatment practiced for thousands of years. Hair-thin needles are inserted into the body to reduce inflammation and pain. According to traditional Chinese medicine practice, Acupuncture balances the energy flow in your body.

After studying the Acupuncture process, western medicine experts are also acknowledging the worth of the process. They explain that Acupuncture stimulates and revitalizes your body's nerves, tissues, and muscles.

It helps release natural pain-killer hormones and ease the pain of the particular body part where the procedure is applied. Acupuncture can help painful knees and joints.

During the Acupuncture procedure, hair-thin needles are inserted in the affected area while you are lying down. Most people do not find it painful. After ten to twenty minutes, the acupuncturist takes the needles out painlessly. You will feel a change and relief after the first session. 

Several studies support Acupuncture's effectiveness in relieving pain, particularly knee pain. A clinical study of 18000 patients revealed that acupuncture helps reduce pain in the body. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and the release of endogenous opioid endorphins, a natural pain-relieving chemical.

Combining massage therapy with Acupuncture could do wonders for your knee pain, whether it is from arthritis or an injury. Your acupuncturist can guide you on how many sessions you would need to get results depending on your knee condition. Usually, six to eight sessions are recommended. 

If you have any further doubts or questions regarding this subject or another treatment, contact one of our experienced Acupuncturists or Registered Massage Therapists here at West End Wellness Clinic. You can either give us a call or make an appointment.

Disclaimer: Please remember this article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare provider or someone with the correct qualifications before starting any new exercise or treatment program.