Many researchers believe that the knee is the most complex joint in the human body. It is also the most imperfect and easily injured. However, Dr. Smith teaches patients how to keep knee joints in top form and ward off knee injuries with all-natural approaches.
Knee injuries stem from many different sources such as:
- ACL, MCL and meniscus problems.
- Spinal misalignment.
- Hip misalignment.
- Osteoarthritis.
- “Knock knees” and “bow legs”.
- Osgood-Schlatter disease.
Beyond regular chiropractic care, the following are additional tactics for keeping your knees healthy and injury-free.
- Add antioxidants to your diet.
- Seek out supplements.
- Embrace exercise.
If knee injury does strike, immediately follow the “RICE” protocol and call the office to schedule and appointment.
R = Rest the knee from the painful activity.
I = Ice the affected area for 20 minutes, three times a day.
C = Compress the painful area with an elastic bandage.
E = Elevate the leg.
Beware of medications used to relieve knee pain, which often do more harm that good. Injections of lidocaine (cortisone), for instance, “accelerate the degenerative changes,” in turn leading to osteoarthritis (The Knee 2006;13:445-50). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are linked with intestinal disorders and some chronic conditions.