Intermittent knee pain is severe to deal with because the knee has so many structures that can be reasons for pain. It can be difficult to pinpoint what the exact cause is for the pain which is what makes it frustrating. It is like your knee has a mind of its own at times. Intermittent knee pain is like any other injury though; you need to find the cause of the problem.
The other thing that is tough about knee injuries is that they are hard to deal with at home. A lot of knee injuries require help from a professional, or you need an excellent understanding of anatomy. The knee joint is where the femur and tibia meet. Off of that one joint, there are a bunch of ligaments, tendons, muscles, cartilage and other structures that need to be accounted for when it comes to knee health. Stopping intermittent knee pain means checking all of these different structures.
Causes of Intermittent Knee Pain
Trauma to Knee
Sometimes people forget about banging there need into something or falling on their knee. Trauma can create bone bruises and a bunch of other issues explaining why your knee hurts on and off. If this is the case, then you are going to want to see a healthcare provider right away to make sure you know exactly what the damage is.
Quad Tightness
Having tight quads is one of the biggest culprits of intermittent knee pain. The reason this happens so much is that we sit down and that makes our hips tight, which then makes our quads tight. The body is all connected so one bad thing can create a ripple effect. When the quads are tight, they pull up on the fascia and connective tissue connected to the knee.
Self Treatment Options for Intermittent Knee Pain
There are videos through out this article covering different massages, foam rolling and stretches that you can do to help with intermittent knee pain. Each can play a role in helping to maintain the knee pain. It is optimal that you first see a health care provider first to find out if everything is structurally intact.
Self Massage and Foam Rolling
These two modalities have a goal of flushing muscles of toxins and reducing trigger points and knots that develop from the strenuous use of the muscles. These do not replace seeing a therapist, but they help to maintain the body between visits so you can see them less.
Stretching
Muscles can become tight and shorten in length. A lot of sports and athletic movements need muscles to go through their full range of motions. For example, you cannot kick a soccer ball to the best of your ability if your hips and quads are tight. Stretching helps you to relax physically and mentally as you lengthen your muscles.
Calf Tightness
When the calves are tight it is the same as the quads but from the other end. Tight calves will pull down on the connective tissue related to the knee. The calf and the hamstring cross behind the knee, so it is essential to keep them both healthy.
It Band and TFL Tightness
The It Band and the TFL connect on the lateral sides of the knee. If they are tight, they affect how the knee raises, but they also can start to pull on the outside of your knee.
One of the best places to start with intermittent knee pain is by trying your best to help relieve these large muscle groups that may be causing knee pain. You can do most of this on your own.
Self-Treatment for Intermittent Knee Pain
Below are some videos that you can use to help with these different problems. The key here is to be consistent with your treatment. You can do it while you’re watching your favorite tv shows. You get the best results with self-treatment when you make it a part of your daily habits.
What If You Can’t Go Fix Intermittent Knee Pain Yourself?
Sometimes you can ice all you want, but a joint is in pain because another area is not working or because it is protecting you. With the hips, for example, your back may be hurting because your psoas is doing too much work and it is also tight. The psoas may be doing too much work because your other hip flexors are not activating correctly. The chain reaction could keep going.
Sometimes you need the help of a sports medicine provider. Sports medicine providers are used to working with athletes that need to get results quickly, to get back on the field. If you are not an athlete, I am sure that you still want quick results for your intermittent knee pain.
There are many different options you can go with when looking for a provider. You could get a chiropractor, massage therapist, physical therapist or many other options. The key is finding someone you trust and that you are excited to work with.
How to Find The Best Healthcare Providers for a Hamstring Injury Rehab
9INE POINT Health is the best place to find the health care providers you need for any injuries. It does not matter where you are hurting; a 9INE POINT Health provider will be able to get you healthy again. 9INE POINT allows you to find the best local providers and compare them quickly using the 9INE POINT Number.
If you have no idea what you need, but you know you need something, 9INE POINT Health is an injury guide, and you will get helped through the process. We make it easier for you to find the information and the person you are looking for to help with intermittent knee pain.
Skills to Look for in a Healthcare Provider for Hamstring Injury Rehab:
- Active Release Technique
- Graston Technique
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Fascial Stretch Therapy
- Corrective exercises
- Dry Needling
- Sports Background
- Functional Movement Screen
- And more
KHO Health was acquired by was acquire by 9INE POINT in the summer of 2019 and is now referred to as 9INE POINT Health.
9INE POINT Health was created by 9INE POINT in '19 as a means to provide athlete-driven resources to "Protect Athletes' Minds, Body and Belly". As well as be a platform for healthcare providers and other specialists to display their knowledge.
