Have you been dealing with chronic knee pain? It may be helpful to know that you're not alone. According to the peer-reviewed medical journal, American Family Physician, knee pain affects about 25% of adults, with its prevalence increasing by nearly 65% over the past 20 years. With all of these cases, doctors have been able to learn a lot about this condition. While it's best to talk to your physical therapist about your pain, there are a few important things you can learn right now that will help you during recovery. Keep reading to learn six important facts that your physical therapist wants you to know about.

1. It Can Affect Your Mental Health

While the physical effects of knee pain are obvious, this affliction can also impact your mental health. Tasks that you used to complete with ease now may cause a lot of pain and discomfort. You may not even be able to play sports with friends like you used to. This can all lead to feelings of powerlessness, isolation, and anxiety. Ask your physician about connecting with mental health professionals during your next physical therapy session.

2. There Are Various Causes

Although everyone lives different lives, we can all end up with knee pain. That's because it's caused by a wide range of sources including injuries, overuse, and arthritis. That means that you don't have to blame yourself for knee pain; there are countless reasons out of your control that create this condition.

Perhaps the most inevitable cause of knee pain is age. The older you get, the weaker your muscles get and the more your joints succumb to wear and tear. Keep in mind that a healthy lifestyle can mitigate your knee pain. Although aging is unavoidable, an active life full of exercise can make physical therapy and pain relief a much smoother process.

3. Treatment Is Individualized

Because of all the various causes of knee pain, physical therapy treatment is also unique to each person. There is no single way to treat this pain because its source and extent differ for each patient. This is why professionals will be able to offer a variety of treatments, including knee joint stabilization, strength training, balance training, and gait training. Your physician may also send you home with medical tape or braces that are designed to help relieve your pain. Make sure to give your physician a detailed and accurate account of your case so you can get the treatment that's right for you.

4. Therapy Must Be Consistent

Physical therapy isn't a one-and-done process. On the contrary, it can take months or even years to fully complete physical therapy. You may even experience setbacks that can reverse the progress you've made. However, there's no need to let this keep you down. Experts are standing by to help you every step of the way and will ensure your healing process moves as swiftly as possible.

5. Exercise Is Important

While your first instinct may be to rest your knee all day to prevent further pain, a diligent exercise schedule is important. It's okay to rest your knee sometimes, but too much rest can lead to more problems. A knee that doesn't see enough exercise can become weak and prone to more injuries, potentially setting back your physical therapy goals. Adequate exercise strengthens the muscles in your knees so further injuries can be prevented. Talk to your physician to find out which exercise regiment is best for you.

6. Wellness Is Key

Your physical therapy journey likely won't end once treatments are finished. This is where your wellness plan comes in. Once your knee pain is managed and you're able to move normally again, you'll want to focus on preventing the problem from returning. If you've finished an intense workout or basketball game with friends, it's a great idea to visit wellness experts for guided stretches or a massage.

Now that you're armed with the important facts, you're probably ready to start physical therapy for your knee pain. Look no further than the experts at Onofray Physical Therapy. You can enjoy mobile physical therapy and convenient same-day scheduling when you turn to us. Give us a call today to get started!