All of us constantly use our knees. Whether we are walking, kneeling, bending, running, or jumping; knees are always there to facilitate all these. We all take knees for granted, never bothering to give it a thought that we need to look after them and save them from abuse. Women get kneecap injury more often than do men.
Sometimes when we start doing exercises without adequately warming up the knees can get inflamed. Use of home remedies can help manage your knee injuries.
7 Top Home Remedies For Knee Injuries
Crape Bandage
Crape bandages are made of a specially treated fiber. The fiber is treated in such a way that it become somewhat elastic. Tying such a bandage makes the affected knee immobile, thus giving it a much needed rest to heal itself. This reduces swelling of the knee and decreases pain. A typical crape bandage is a long strip which you can wrap as per your requirement.
These days elastic compresses are also available. Their advantage over a crape bandage is that you have a ready-to-wear, well-fitting compress around your knee. The disadvantages are two: the first is it may not be of your size and the second is that it is made of thick material which may induce excessive perspiration and cause skin allergies.
Whichever bandage you may use, take care that it is neither too tight nor too loose. If it is too tight, your blood flow will stop or get reduced causing you numbness and tingling. It can result in increased swelling and pain. If you bandage is too loose it will not be of any help.
Use Cold And Hot Packs
During the first 2 or 3 days, use cold packs for treating a knee injury. Immediately after a knee injury, apply a cold pack, repeat this every 2-3 hours. A cold pack has to be kept for 15-20 minutes each time. To make a pack you need some ice and a cloth bag.
Put this ice in a cloth bag and then put this in a waterproof bag before applying it on the knees so as to not make your knees wet. The cold compress will reduce the swelling significantly. Hot showers, hot fomentation and hot packs have to be completely avoided during the initial 2 days.
After 2-3 days alternate the cold packs with hot packs. Now you can apply moist heat by soaking a towel in warm water. Squeeze out the excess water and put the towel on the injured knee. This hot fermentation will make the knee muscles supple and flexible. All the sports persons stick to this treatment for their injured knees. The alternating between 2 different temperatures bring about a speedy recovery.
Massage For knee injury
Massaging the injured knee with a warm oil can give relief from pain. One of the oils that works well is sesame or gingely oil. Message helps in enhancing blood circulation thereby paving way for a speedy recovery.
Elevate Your Legs
You should keep your knees in an elevated position when you are lying down for rest. This position will help you to arrest swelling and pain.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains natural organic compounds called curcumin which has a wonderful ability to heal the injuries and wounds. Mix half a teaspoon of turmeric powder in one cup of milk and drink it every day. It is antiseptic, thus it speeds up healing of the injured knee.
You need to be extra careful when you use turmeric. It should be fresh and pure. Hence, buy your turmeric powder from a trustworthy source.
Castor Oil
There are many who swear by castor oil to look after a hurt knee you can take a teaspoon of castor oil and rub it on the knee. Cover it with an old cloth. Thereafter, put a heating pad on top of this knee.
This remedy will take away the pain and the knee will heal after a few days depending on the severity of the injury. The best time to use this is at night, before retiring to bed.
Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek seeds can be roasted, powdered and stored for treatment of the knee injury. You can use 2 -3 teaspoons to make a powder to make a paste with water and apply it to the injured area. This natural remedy has no side effects and is easily available in all the health stores.
Rest
Rest forms an important remedy for knee injury. It immobilizes the affected knee, giving it adequate opportunity to heal itself. Taking rest means staying away from all sorts of activities which involve a knee. If you feel pain in the knee, it means that that particular activity need to be avoided. Keep a pillow under your knee when you take rest.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.
