Relieving knee pain without surgery
Knee pain is a common side effect of aging. Studies show that a growing number of middle-aged people are undergoing total knee-replacement surgery. While this surgical technique has greatly improved over the past several decades, it is still considered an invasive, expensive surgical procedure. Fortunately, there are non-surgical treatments that could enable patients to avoid the risk of knee replacement surgery.
According to recent research, chiropractic adjustments may help patients who have knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. In a recent study, patients who underwent chiropractic knee adjustments saw substantial drops in pain intensity, accompanied by fewer grinding and clicking sensations within the knee. They also reported increased mobility and were more able to perform daily activities. Patients reported no adverse effects associated with chiropractic care. Patients involved in the study who did not receive chiropractic adjustments did not have the same improvements.
Chiropractors can help osteoarthritis patients restore normal alignment of joints, improve gait, reduce inflammation, and find activities to promote mobility and flexibility. For overweight patients, weight loss has also been shown to improve mobility and reduce knee pain. If you have osteoarthritic knee pain, a chiropractor can offer non-surgical methods to reduce pain and slow joint degeneration.
References
"Knee Replacements Up Dramatically Among Adults 45 to 64 Years Old." Agency for Health Care Research and Quality. November 3, 2011. Accessed January 2, 2012. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/nn/nn110311.htm.
Pollard H, Ward G, Hoskins W, and Hardy K. The effect of a manual therapy knee protocol on osteoarthritic knee pain: a randomised controlled trial. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association 2008; 52(4):229-42.
Walker, Emily. "AHRQ: Big Jump in Knee Replacement Surgery." November 8, 2011. Accessed January 2, 2011.http://www.medpagetoday.com/Orthopedics/Orthopedics/29529
