Knee pain is often the result of an injury. It can be the result of a torn ligament or cartilage. Medical conditions such as arthritis, gout and various infections can also cause knee pain. Understanding the root cause of knee pain is the first step to effectively managing it.
Traditional treatments for knee pain can be a simple as applying ice and heat, to stretching and physical therapy, to corticosteroid medications including cortisone, hydrocortisone and prednisone, to surgery for more severe cases. However, it’s important to note that medications can often leave unwanted side effects and surgery can be quite invasive and require long recovery periods. With so many different types of treatment options and different levels of severity and invasiveness, it’s very important to properly evaluate your knee pain in order to care for it effectively.
The good news is that there are also other options available for knee pain that is natural, safe and effective. Functional medicine is providing patients with care that is comprehensive, customized and designed for long-term results. Functional medicine is the study of “why”. Comprehensive testing is used to determine exactly why you have knee pain. This gives your provider all the information needed to recommend the therapies that will most benefit your specific condition.
The other benefit of functional medicine is that care is tailored to every patient based on his or her needs. These providers understand that each patient has unique needs and what works for one patient may not work for the next. Traditional care tends to offer a “one size fits all” model for care. Functional medicineproviders know that in order to achieve the best long-term results for patients, care has to be customized.
Another goal of a functional medicineprovider is to educate you about your condition. This provider becomes your advocate and partner in health, teaching you how you can manage your own condition for a lifetime. They are your coach and mentor throughout your recovery process, and even beyond. The idea is to break your reliance on a health care system that does not achieve results.
Knee pain can greatly affect the quality of your life. Don’t settle for “one size fits all” care that may not be effective for your condition. Take the time to explore the possibilities that functional medicine has to offer. You’ll appreciate the comprehensive and customized care, as well as the personal attention that you receive.