Dr. Thaddeus Jacobs
Some herbal treatments
for knee pain may be taken orally, while other herbs are
applied topically in the form of a paste or cream. The cause
of your knee pain largely dictates the type of herbs used.
If you have knee osteoarthritis, for example, you may
benefit from using boswellia, ginger, turmeric and white
willow bark. Bromelain is believed to be an effective herbal
remedy for soft tissue inflammation and pain relief. In her
book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth,"
naturopathic doctor and herbalist Sharol Tilgner notes that
arnica, calendula and rue are particularly helpful for
musculoskeletal injuries.
One of the most popular
herbal treatments for knee pain is turmeric. According to
Phyllis A. Balch, a naturopathic physician and author of
"Prescription for Nutritional Healing," turmeric contains a
substance called curcumin, which possesses anti-inflammatory
and pain-relieving actions. Balch recommends a dose of 600
mg each day, although you should always talk with your
doctor about appropriate dosage before using turmeric for
your knee pain. Turmeric is also used as a seasoning and is
the principal ingredient in curry powder.
1. Exercise and weight
loss. Keeping
a healthy weight is key, explains Suzanne Moore, a physical
therapist practicing in Maryland, because the extra weight
increases the stress on the joint. A study released
this week showed that obese people had a 65 percent lifetime
risk of developing osteoarthritis in comparison with the 35
percent risk for people of normal weight. One study showed
that people who lost an average of about 10 pounds
significantly reduced pain and improved mobility in
comparison with those who didn't. Other research has proved
that strength training, as well as low-impact exercise such
as bicycling or swimming, lessens pain.
2. Physical therapy. The
amount of pain people with knee arthritis feel is directly
related to muscle weakness. That's why a comprehensive
physical therapy program that strengthens quadriceps can go
a long way, experts say, especially for people that have
difficulty motivating themselves to exercise on their own.
Physical therapists can also correct misaligned knees, a
problem that can worsen pain, using wedged insoles and other
orthotic devices.