by exfordy

Knee Aches And Pains – Remedies For The Hurt

How are your knees feeling at this moment in time? Whether your knees hurt this second, or if the pain comes and goes, many people still need to find relief for their aches and pains. – If you are looking for some pain relief options to consider, then read on… The knee is one of the largest and most complicated joints in the human body. We use our knees for just about ever activity we perform. Even when people sit, they can still suffer from pressure that is effecting their knee joints. Consequently, knee aches are nearly inevitable-and when the pain starts, knee ache remedies are a sought after commodity. Many knee ache treatment options are not only helpful, but they are not invasive either. Each of the remedies here has its advantages, some more than others. Some to consider are as follows: 1.) Ice/Heat: Ice therapy can be particularly helpful within the first 24 to 48 hours after a traumatic knee injury and there is swelling present, after which it is recommended that heat be applied instead (by some medical professionals). An ice pack can be applied to the area that is aching or swelling, but should never be applied directly to the skin, and should always be wrapped in a cloth or other protective covering. Similarly, with heat application, you should always have a protective layer between the skin and the heat source, making certain that the heat source is not hot enough to burn the skin underneath. When using heat, the temperature should be comfortably warm, but not hot enough to cause discomfort or redness over the area. However, whether using ice or heat, these knee ache remedies are temporary, and can be somewhat inconvenient. Ice and/or heat should be applied every 4 to 6 hours, and will not cure the underlying problem, but will only provide some degree of relief. 2.) Rest: Of course one of the most effective knee ache remedies is rest. Simply avoiding the activity that aggravates your knee aches may offer relief from the pain. However, this is not always a practical solution. The activity that aggravates your knee pain may be related to your job or other unavoidable obligation, and rest is simply not an option. Plus, the amount of rest you need may vary considerably depending upon the severity of the pain and, consequently, may not be a practical knee ache remedy depending upon your particular circumstances. 3.) Elevation: If you knee is swollen, then elevation may be one of the appropriate knee ache remedies to consider. Resting with your knee elevated helps reduce the swelling and the consequent ache. Again, though, this may not always be practical given your particular circumstances. 4.) Over-The-Counter Medication: Over-the-counter medication, such ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen, may one of the knee ache remedies to consider. However, every mediation, even those sold over the counter, has side effects, and should be used sparingly, with caution. Since these types of medication likely provide only temporary relief, the temptation may be to overuse them, which, in the long run, may add to your problems. 5.) Knee Braces: Braces for the knee are one of the most helpful ways in which you can find long lasting support and pain reduction, when you need it. Supports for the knee are not hard to use, and come in a wide variety of styles to fit your particular needs. Even if the knee is swollen, many knee braces can be adjusted and re-adjusted accordingly, as the swelling diminishes. A knee brace helps to support the knee, helping to take the pressure and stress off of the joint and also helps keep the knee in a proper position, even when in use. Consequently, when used properly, a brace can help to significantly reduce your aches and pains for an extended period of time with no adverse side effects. The great thing about knee braces is that you can apply them right away, and they are not terribly expensive, espcially since the advent of the internet. When you stop and think about it for a second, these supports can be the one thing that you never considered before… This might just be the turning point for you to help you get moving again with confidence and pain reduction in your very near future.

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Pains in the legs could be due to joint pains or due to muscle cramps. Joint pains are generally observed in arthritis, a condition which sets in as the person’s advances in age. In arthritis, the articulation of the bones gradually wears out over time, leading to pains whenever they function. This is called as Aama Vata in Ayurvedic language.

Muscle cramps usually affect the muscles of the leg. It is known as Khalli Vata in Ayurveda. There is a special term for the muscle cramps that affect only the calf muscles, and that is Pindikoveshtana. From an Ayurvedic point of view, almost all pains are caused due to vitiation of the vata dosha. Specifically in leg pains due to muscle cramps, the Vyana vata is vitiated. This is a sub-dosha of the vata which controls the involuntary muscles of the body.

Pains occur when there is an ama buildup in the body. Ama is the name given to the toxic materials caused due to improper digestion that cannot be expelled from the body. Such ama causes several problems, including leg pains. Ama is built up due to high agni, i.e. digestive fire, which is governed by the pitta dosha. Hence there is also a pitta relation with the leg pains.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Leg Pains

1. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

Clove oil is applied on the affected leg muscle as a poultice. It provides immediate relief from pains, especially if they are due to muscle cramps.

2. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Ginger has wonderful painkilling properties. It must be included in the daily diet if muscular pains in the legs are a chronic problem.

3. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Licorice is very effective in relieving muscle aches. An infusion of its roots must be prepared in water and kept overnight. This helps in almost all kinds of muscle problems.

4. Madhuca (Madhuca indica)

Madhuca has positive effects on leg pains, especially if they are due to rheumatism. Its oil is applied locally over the affected regions.

5. Pepper (Piper nigrum)

Pepper helps in dilating the superficial blood vessels, thus helping in proper blood circulation. It also has analgesic properties and can be used as a liniment in muscular problems.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Leg Pains

Since improper digestion can cause leg pains, care must be taken not to eat anything that can cause digestive problems. Do not consume constipating foods; keep your diet simple. Consume plenty of green vegetables and leafy vegetables that contain fiber. Vitamin C obtained from amalaki, oranges and tomatoes is also good for digestion. After each meal, make it a habit to eat a plantain instead of some calorie-rich dessert like ice-cream. A plantain is a food that is extremely rich in minerals of potassium, magnesium and calcium. Hence it is extremely beneficial for proper metabolism within the leg region. Avoid coffee and chocolate if you have persistent leg pain problems.

The importance of adequate amount of fluids cannot be stressed enough. Dehydration is a leading cause of leg pains. Keep drinking one glass of water every waking hour to prevent dehydratiom.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatments for Leg Pains

There are good oils in Ayurveda that are used for external application over the affected legs. If the muscle pains have occurred suddenly, then most likely they are cramps. In such cases, Mahanarayana tailam or Praharini tailam are applied to get relief. Warming the oils a bit and then applying has better effects.

For internal administration, Sinhanaada Guggulu is prescribed. This drug is also a mild laxative. So it will also correct whatever digestive problems may be there with the system. Other commonly prescribed medicines are Laxmivilasa rasa and Pratapa Lankeshwara rasa.

(4) Home Remedies for Leg Pains

1 If you have regular complains of pains in the legs, then there are some simple exercises you can do in order to get relief from them. Some of them are described:-

a) Lie on your back on a firm bed. Wear some loose clothing over the legs, such as shorts or pajamas. Raise your legs gradually in the air, as far as they can go. The heels should point skywards. Hold the legs in this stretched position for about ten seconds and then bring them down again. Do this five times per session, and repeat the exercise thrice a day.

b) Alternatively you can stand facing a wall at an arm’s length distance from it. Stretch out your arms and touch the wall with your open palms. Then slowly pull yourself forward (towards the wall). Feel the stretching pressure building up in your legs. Hold yourself in this stretched position for about ten seconds and then let go. Do this five times per session, and repeat the exercise thrice a day.

c) Even Yoga has several leg stretching exercises that can be used with great positive effects. These exercises are Uttanpadasana, Janusandhi and Gomukhasana.

2 If the cramps occur when performing an exercise workout or some physical activity, then have a glass of lemon water with a pinch of salt in it.

3 If you have leg pains in the joints due to arthritis, then crush two to three cloves of garlic and add them to a glass of diluted milk. Boil it to quarter its amount and drink it just before bedtime.

4 Applying a hot pack or fomenting the leg with steam helps to improve circulation in the leg and eases the pain. Even applying cold packs helps. This will reduce the blood flow into the leg region and help the muscle to relax.

5 Put one part of camphor in twenty parts of mustard oil. Keep this in the sun till the time the camphor properly dissolves in the oil. Use this oil to massage the leg on a daily basis.

6 If you get a sudden sprain in the leg, then prepare a paste of turmeric with lime and salt and apply it on the affected part.