Physical therapy is an effective and common method of dealing with knee pain. This process involves a thorough evaluation and assessment of your entire leg. Once your physical therapist assesses your knee pain, they will then develop the right treatment regimen, which may include exercises and modalities. These processes will help alleviate your knee pain and improve your mobility.

In this article, we look at some treatment techniques used by physical therapists to ease your knee pain.

Patient Education

While this is not a form of therapy, it is one of the key benefits of physical therapy. Your therapists will help you uncover and avoid any practices that may be causing your knee pain. They will give you recommendations about the types of exercise and athletic activities you should and shouldn't do. To top it all, they will also develop and teach you a tailored exercise program to assist you in returning to your normal function as soon as possible.

Pain Management

After assessing your condition and determining the cause and level of your knee pain, your physical therapist will come up with a pain management program. This program might include exercise and other methods like applying ice to the affected area. They will also use medications like opioids if need be.

Range-of-Motion Exercise

If anything is limiting the mobility of your knee, there will be an increase in the amount of stress in the knee area. Also, if there is an injury in your hip or ankle, this might force your knee to function at a disadvantage. Your physical therapist will arrange some stretching techniques to lower stress and tension in the knee. This will help lower the levels of pain and restore normal motion in your joints. Most of the range of motion exercises focus on the pelvic joints down to your foot.

Manual Therapy

There are also hands-on treatments available to gently move your knee muscles and joints. Also known as manual therapy, these techniques help to restore and improve proper motion. Your physical therapist might also utilize these treatments to guide your knee joints into a less stressful movement pattern, reducing the amount of pain you feel. One of the techniques involves providing gentle resistance as you perform certain movements. This works to improve strength, as well.

Muscle Strengthening

When your muscles are weak, there will be imbalances that can cause painful knee conditions. Depending on what's causing your knee pain, your physical therapist will come up with a safe and effective muscle strengthening program for you. Some of the exercises can strengthen your core (midsection), and some focus on your lower extremities.

This program can start with exercises that you perform while lying on a table, bed, or floor. You will then proceed to exercises that you do in a standing position. These can include squats and some weight-based exercises. Your therapist will also take into consideration your age and physical condition. Usually, there are resistance machines available in most clinics, and they might give you a list of the equipment that's suitable for you to use, even at home.

Functional Training

As your pain, strength, and motion improve, you will slowly start returning to normal function. If all goes well, your physical therapist will give you the go-ahead to start doing some more demanding activities. It is very important to do all this with their supervision. Full recovery can be achieved as long as your movements are controlled, not to overstress your knee and cause more pain.

Devices Used in Physical Therapy to Assist in Your Recovery

Depending on your condition and prognosis, your therapist might recommend braces, walking aids, or wraps. These devices can help to ease your pain and improve your walking ability. Usually, you will only have to make use of these devices for a short period. However, if you have more serious conditions like osteoarthritis, you might have to use them for a longer period.

During the start of your recovery period, you might also have to wear some knee braces. These are useful in stabilizing your knee. The therapist will help you with fitting the brace, and they will also show you how to use it. Apart from braces, if your knee is swollen, it can be wrapped. There are specific wrapping techniques that can decrease swelling and make your knee less painful.

If you have hurt your knee and feel a lot of pain, you will probably feel like physical therapy is the last thing you should be doing. However, this treatment involves highly effective methods that can help you feel less pain and put you on the road to recovery.