If you are in search of an Upper West Side physical therapist, Miccass Physical Therapy is here to help you recover from your knee pain.
Our knees are one of our most used joints. Most of us walk at least once a day, every day, which means our knees may inevitably wear down over time. Sometimes the tendons become strained or damaged, sometimes the ligaments are injured, sometimes arthritis develops, and sometimes the soft-tissues within the knee simply degenerate over time. Pain may occur in the inner knee, the front of the knee, or the sides of the knee. This all depends on the part that has been injured, damaged, or strained.
Pain in the knee can be temporary due to an injury and can resolve with treatment, or it may be chronic and long-lasting as the damage can be irreversible after a certain point. A physician can help you to determine whether a surgical procedure is necessary, or if the pain will go away with simple treatments and physical therapy. Whether you require a procedure or not, an Upper West Side physical therapist can help you gain better control of your knee and reduce pain through a variety of exercises and treatment plans.
After evaluating the condition of the knee and ensuring that you are ready to further your treatment, a physical therapist will prepare you for a healing plan that is tailored to your specific pain areas and needs.
Physical Therapy for Knee Pain
Our Upper West Side physical therapist will prescribe you with exercise programs which will strengthen the leg muscles and soft tissues surrounding the knee, improve the mobility of your knee joint, and relieve knee pain in the long term.
When the knee is weakened from injury, damage, or surgery, the most essential step is to get the muscles around the knee and throughout the leg to be as strong as possible in order to both cushion and take the pressure off of the knee joint.
Some of the exercises that a physical therapist may recommend for your knee pain include:
- Straight leg raises – this exercise doesn’t move the knee, but strengthens the quadriceps, the muscles in the front of the thigh
- Hamstring curls – this exercise strengthens the muscles in the back of the thigh
- Wall squats – this exercise, when done properly, will strengthen the hip muscles, taking the pressure off of the knee joints
- Quad sets – this exercise also strengthens the hip muscles
- Leg presses – this exercise strengthens the muscles around the kneecap
- Step ups – this exercise helps increase the mobility of the knee while practicing taking steps
- Calf raises – this exercise strengthens the calves, making it so that the knees aren’t taking all the pressure when you walk
- Balance training
Upper West Side Physical Therapist
While occasional discomfort is common, these exercises should not cause immense pain. If you feel you are straining and in pain, talk to your physical therapist about the next steps to take. Each and every one of the exercises, along with many more, will help strengthen parts of the leg that will contribute to the healing and relieving of knee pain. Our Upper West Side physical therapist will give you a treatment plan that will bring your knees back to health.
If you have knee pain due to a multitude of factors, physical therapy may be right for you. Contact us today at Miccass Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment.
