4 treatments for knee pain and stiffness

Are sensations of knee pain and stiffness taking a toll on your well-being? Knee issues can have a significant impact on your life, affecting the way you walk, sit and stand. Activities that are normally doable, like going for a run, may become a lot more difficult. Whether you are dealing with the aftermath of an injury or managing a chronic condition, finding the right treatment is important. A good treatment provider can help you find long-term relief from your symptoms. When it comes to treating knee pain and stiffness, physical therapy is a popular choice. A physical therapist can offer a diverse range of effective treatments to alleviate your symptoms and get you back on your feet.

When to seek professional treatment for knee pain and stiffness

When experiencing knee pain and stiffness, it can be hard to tell whether you need professional help. If your symptoms are mild, you may be able to address them by letting your knee rest and recover. In many cases, though, the cause behind knee pain and stiffness is serious and should be addressed by a trained physical therapist. It is important to seek treatment in any of the following situations:

• Chronic knee condition — Chronic conditions tend to worsen over time. You may notice increasing discomfort around the knee over an extended period. If you have, seeking treatment as soon as possible can be crucial to finding relief. Chronic conditions that can affect the knee include bursitis, tendinitis and arthritis. In addition to chronic pain, these conditions tend to cause symptoms such as swelling and irritation. A physical therapist can help determine your precise condition and provide targeted treatments.
• Sports injury — Feeling pain and stiffness in your knee after a sports injury? In high-impact sports, the knee is a particularly vulnerable region. Sudden pressure or twisting can damage the tissue around your knee. The injury may cause discomfort and limit your mobility. If you want to return to your sport as soon as possible, finding an effective route to recovery is important. You can work with your physical therapist to develop a treatment plan. This plan will be designed to optimize your recovery time and reduce the risk of future injuries.
• Before and after surgery — Knee surgeries are relatively common operations. From ACL repairs to meniscectomies, a knee surgery can have a major impact on your quality of life. If you want to make sure your surgery goes smoothly, you should consider pre- and post-surgery PT rehab. Integrating physical therapy before your operation can improve your knee health. It can also increase the chances of success during surgery. After surgery, your physical therapist can help you recover from the operation and restore your physical capacity.

Effective physical therapy treatments for knee pain and stiffness

• Range-of-motion exercises — Stiffness is often related to limited range of motion at the knee joint. By improving your flexibility, you can ease your stiffness and discomfort. Restoring your normal range of motion can also help you return to your regular physical activities. As you work toward recovery, your physical therapist will guide you through specific exercises that target the knee joint. These exercises can break down adhesions, reduce stiffness and improve overall joint health.
• Strengthening exercises — Building strength in your knee can alleviate pain and keep your joints stable. Strengthening exercises are important for improving your ability to do things like walk, run and jump. Your physical therapist will tailor your exercise plan to your specific needs. The most effective exercises typically involve muscles in the leg that support the knee. These include the calf muscles, quadriceps and hamstrings.
• Soft tissue mobilization — Soft tissue mobilization is a specialized form of manual therapy meant to offer hands-on relief from your knee pain and stiffness. By manipulating the soft tissue around your knee, your physical therapist can alleviate tension that might be causing your discomfort. Manual therapy also promotes circulation, triggering natural healing processes in injured tissue around the knee.
• Electrical stimulation — Electrical stimulation therapy is conducted via transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Through TENS unit muscle stimulation, you can experience rapid relief as the stimulation influences your nerves to decrease pain signals. TENS treatment can also stimulate healing, empowering you to make a faster recovery.

Back in Motion can help address pain and stiffness in your knee

Ready to find a solution for the pain and stiffness in your knee? You can get effective personalized care at Back in Motion Physical Therapy. Through one-on-one sessions, our expert physical therapists will get to know your goals and help you achieve them with a range of innovative strategies.

Call us or request an appointment today to learn more about our knee pain and stiffness solutions.