Depending on the cause of the pain, you can remedy a hurt knee by applying cold compress in the area, applying pain relievers, or by massaging. When you are going to use massage, there are a few things that you should keep in mind to make sure that you are doing it correctly.
A painful knee can be due to osteoarthritis. And it has been known that massage can help ease the pain that people experience due to this degenerative disease.
However, knee massages are more commonly used for sports injuries. There are two famous methods. One is with the use of circular frictions and the other concentrating on the patellar tendon.
Begin with removing any clothing that is on your legs or on your affected knee. This will allow you to apply the right pressure without tiring your hands too much. The extra layer or the texture of the clothing can give you extra work.
Gliding your hands slowly around the knee with soft circular motions will "warm up" the area. Muscles that are tense can relax a bit and be prepared for more vigorous therapy.
Small circular massages are applied to the hurt knee. Begin with the motion from the side of the knee. Apply moderate pressure. Pressing the area too hard or too soft may not work as well as when you apply the right amount of pressure. From the side of the knee, you work your way towards the front of the patella.
Be careful to move at a leisurely pace based on what is most suitable for you. Work around the knee while repeating the action.
This massage technique is used when knee injuries cause the knee joints to swell. There may be significant effects achieved when the injury is just new. However, for chronic knee pains, several treatment sessions might be required before relief can be achieved.
When massaging the patellar tendon, you will use your thumb. This finger is focused on that tendon while rubbing the area with circular motions. Bend your knees so that your fingers can reach the tendon well.
A simple squeezing motion on the front part of the knee can be considered massage. Make sure that you pay attention to massaging the muscles and not the bone. You can use a single hand and cup the knee.
Using small movements with your fingers to massage the surrounding muscles in the knee can also help. Include the muscles below the knee as well as the quad muscles above it. Your finger pads will apply pressure to the muscles to relieve them of the tension and hopefully, relieve the area of the pain.
Another stroke is to use the palms to massage the sides of the knees. Small circular motions are also used for this method. Go up and down at the lateral part of the knee. However, you may extend until you reach the top of the knee and massage the muscles there. Do this with your feet resting on the floor or with your ankles resting on top of your other leg.
