Our bodies, more or less, can be regarded as machines. Within reason, we could conduct many physical activities and labours without succumbing to pressure. When you are at your peak, you will feel as if you are almost invulnerable to pain. However, as we age, or due to other factors, our bodies will begin to feel pain daily.
This varies from person to person, as pain can manifest in different body parts. A common area for pain occurs in the knees, where the joints have weakened. Thankfully, there are many methods to use or experts to visit for support. An osteopath is one of those experts. Here is how they can help you alleviate your knee pain.
Pinpointing a Source
First and foremost, you may find it challenging to determine where exactly the knee pain manifests. Surely, you will feel it in the knee, but that area of the body comprises various joints. Therefore, finding the source of your pain can be challenging.
An osteopath is a professional that can get around this issue for you. After setting up a session or two with them, they will use various techniques to locate your exact location. Depending on a few tests, it may take a few tries, but it will amount to something. Then, a customized action plan can be created and followed up on!
Manual Exercises
Doing exercises on your own, such as stretches, is something that you should do on your own time. On the other hand, you should exercise caution when conducting exercises on the knees. One small mishap or wrong range of motion can worsen your pain. Therefore, it is up to an expert to do these exercises for you.
Working with an osteopath is the best path forward with this in mind. They will slowly and surely walk you through various exercises to see how your range of motion is affected. At some point or another, a specific pinpoint will be found through these simple exercises. When it comes down to it, you always want to leave this up to a professional.
Stretching
Speaking of stretching, you must prepare yourself for physical activities with small movements. Stretching is the best method in this warm-up routine, but it should also be done carefully. Remember, since the knees are such a vulnerable area, even stretching incorrectly can result in injury.
Thankfully, a qualified osteopath can get around this hump for you. Their expertise is reflected in the exercise plan they design for you. When they walk you through different stretches throughout your day, you will know what is optimal for your circumstances. Keep doing these as needed throughout your day. Keep it consistent, and you will be set!
Medication
Osteopaths may or may not be able to prescribe certain topical medications to support your recovery. You should always consult with them on this possibility, which could make things simple enough. If not, you must speak to your local pharmacist about your options. Then, you will know what to take and what not to consume in recovery.
Referrals
While an osteopath is certainly a good source for knee pain recovery, their scope of practice is not all-encompassing. With this in mind, they may refer you to another professional, such as a surgeon. This may be a last resort since, most of the time, they will be able to find a proper solution. However, you are in good hands with them regardless.
Support Items
Your osteopath may also lead you toward using various support items or products. Walking with knee pain can be rather cumbersome; using a walker could circumvent the pain you experience. The osteopath may even have some of those items in their office. Conduct a trial with them to see how you feel and ensure it maximizes comfort.
Continued Education
When it comes to dealing with consistent bodily pain, you can never be too informed about your options. Even though an osteopath can correct certain issues in your knees, other challenges may manifest. Therefore, it remains crucial to keep yourself informed of the best practices just in case.
Your osteopath remains an important professional with whom to stay in contact. Their expertise is always refined so that they know modern techniques. These techniques are then integrated into their practice to make the patient feel better. Keeping all areas of your physical health is paramount, so ensure you speak to a qualified osteopath for support!