Relaxation: Your Knee Pain’s Worst Enemy!
If you are experiencing knee pain due to a knee injury, it may seem like you can’t do anything. Before your knee pain, you may have never even considered rock climbing, but now that you can’t, it’s pretty much all you can think about, right? Wanting what we can’t have – we’ve all been there.
That’s why today, Healthpointe wants you to know that it’s okay to simply do nothing. To just be. In fact, taking a few minutes for pure, unadulterated relaxation can even help relieve your knee pain. Here’s why:
- Mind Games. The human brain is a powerful tool. Try this: Next time you need to sit down because of knee pain, don’t just sit. Instead, actively try to relax. Telling yourself you feel better than you do, and picturing yourself in a peaceful, pain-free place, can almost make your pain go away! Almost – of course, meditation can’t cure the root of the pain (you need to follow your doctor’s orders, for that). Mental techniques are not for everyone, but you just may find they are exactly what you need!
- Take A Load Off. You’ve heard it said that moving can help prevent pain, but did you know that the opposite can also be true? If you place more stress than your body can handle, you are increasing your risk for injury. So, the next time you are inspired to go running, great! Just make sure to take short rest periods – it just may save you worse pain in the future.
- Room to Grow. Rest periods aren’t just good for helping you recover after a day of running – taking time to relax a little every day can help strengthen your muscles over the long-term. A strenuous workout creates microtears in your muscles’ fibers; failing to let this tissue heal itself can weaken your system, and even cause serious injuries.
- Chemistry. Let’s say today you’re totally stressed out about a work project, but your knee happens to be feeling good. Be forewarned – pain may be just around the corner, because of your stress! Stress can affect more than our emotions. High levels of cortisol (stress hormone) can lead to physical inflammation. So the next time you feel emotions running high, breathe deeply and picture yourself on Maui – or wherever your happy place!
- Happier. If all else fails and you still feel no change in your pain after sticking to a daily meditation schedule, at least you will be happier! Relaxing (or meditating – whatever you want to call it) has been proven to increase serotonin levels (which help stabilize emotions). So, the next time your doctor prescribes you a treatment plan, be sure to follow it down to the letter. But make sure to add this to your to-do list, as well: Relax!
For more information about holistic medicine and the doctors at Healthpointe who can help you live your healthiest life, contact any of the Healthpointe clinics, such as the Anaheim clinic near Fullerton, Placentia, Villa Park, Buena Park, Cypress, Cerritos, and Garden Grove.
Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including La Mirada by Whittier, La Habra, Norwalk, Cerritos, Buena Park, and Santa Fe Springs. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit Healthpointe.net.