Thursday 12 January 2017

Help, my knees are aching ...

Especially during the cold and wet winter months, many suffer from painful knee joints. The ache is there when getting up in the morning, when walking or standing for some time. Arthrosis ("wear and tear") in the knees can severely impact on the quality of life. There is the option of having an operation or a knee replacement. However, there are also tried and tested home remedies with which a severe deterioration of the joint can be prevented and, in case of an already existing arthrosis, can ease the pain.

Image result for kniegelenksarthrose
(pic: medimix.at)

Exercise in bed
Still in bed, lying on your back, pull both knees towards your chin and straighten them again, ten times. By doing so, synovial fluid is being pumped into the cartilages, thus limiting painful friction.

Exercise by taking the stairs
If you prefer climbing stairs instead of using the lift, lean on the hand rail as much as you can. This will take the weight off the knee joints.
When walking down a steep descent or stairs, try walking backwards - dare to be different!

The wrong shoes
Shoes which don't fit properly can often be blamed for painful knees. Make sure that you wear fitting shoes. Heels which are worn off on one side can be an indication that there is a possible misalignment in the hips which should be seen to by a suitable, experienced therapist.

Exercise during "pit stops"
After two hours driving, take a break. Sitting in your seat, swing the legs sideways out of the open door and shake them vigorously. Also, when sitting for a long time, you should stretch your legs as often as possible. With straightened legs, the pressure of the patella (kneecap) against the cartilage is less strong.

Keep up the exercise
The advice is to keep exercising and moving even if the knee joints ache. Doing some light exercise during which the knee joints get some movement after getting up in the morning will help sooth the pain. If you are going for a walk, please do so on soft ground, not on concrete or tarmac. Riding a bicycle is very beneficial if you suffer with arthrosis in the knees. However, if you attempt to get up a steep hill, don't use force treading the pedals - dismount and push the bike.

Hot and cold for the joints
Heat as well as cold can help soothing joint pain. Fill some crushed ice from the freezer compartment into a plastic bag which you then put on the inflamed joint, i.e. if the joint feels hot and swollen. But avoid direct contact with the skin; put a cloth between the bag and the skin. Replace every 15 minutes. A strong blood supply to the joint is very good.
Put your feet in ankle-high, warm water (36 to 37 degrees Celsius), slowly add hot water until the temperature reaches about 45 degrees. Use a thermometer to check).

More good advice for arthrosis and arthritis in the knees
o Rosehips contain beneficial substances which can help fight the degeneration of joints. Try taking capsules containing powdered rosehip.

Image result for hagebutten
pic: hagebutten.info

o Add a splash of olive oil to a bowl of quark in the fridge. Once chilled, make a compress with the mix. Leave it on until the quark becomes crumbly.
o Apply devil's claw tincture or extract onto the aching joints.
o Immediately after breakfast, drink two cups of willow bark tea. It has pain-relieving properties.
o Diet can play an importation role in the development of arthrosis and arthritis. A consultation with a nutritionist or other experienced health professional can help to select the right food and drink, to help you feel better and get rid of the pain.

source: bankhofer-gesundheit.de

For any questions and further information, please contact grovewellnessclinic@gmail.com