Managing the pain of knee osteoarthritis

If you’re over 50 and experiencing knee pain, self-management strategies, which are usually personalized according to your needs and involve following a plan developed by a healthcare professional, can be tremendously beneficial.

While going to see a healthcare professional in person is ideal and recommended, Lifemark also offers online resources at lifeisnow.ca to help you get started on your own. These online resources can teach you self-management techniques, help you move more easily and much more.

The first 5 steps at lifeisnow.ca are available for free. There’s no sign-up process or commitment, so can try it out and see if this is the right approach for you.

Here’s an overview of the first five steps.

Step 1

Learn more about pain. Knee pain involves not only the joint, but also how the body’s physiology responds to what’s happening in the joints. The nervous systems may be involved, too. Learning how to influence your nervous system will make it easier to move in a way that can make your knee joint healthier.

Step 2

Learn and practice a self-management technique that involves breath regulation. This helps taking your mind’s full attention off the pain. It’s also a skill you need to learn, so the best possible results will come after you’ve practiced consistently for 4-6 weeks.

Step 3

Learn and practice a body awareness technique. Like breath regulation, this can help you take your mind’s full attention off the pain and move better. Also like breath regulation, the best possible results will come after you’ve practiced consistently for 4-6 weeks.

Step 4

Movement recovery guidelines. Choose an activity or movement that involves some pain or discomfort for you, then follow the guidelines incorporating what you have learned and practiced in Steps 1-3.

Step 5

Practice! Repetition is necessary to find the right amount and frequency of movement. Even if you start small, proper movement can allow you to improve the health of your knee joint cartilage and decrease the inflammatory chemistry involved in joint changes.

You can give it a try right now at lifeisnow.ca. Of course, self-management doesn’t mean it is all your responsibility. The program at lifeisnow.ca can be used alongside compassionate guidance and knowledgeable support from a healthcare professional.

To schedule an appointment with a Lifemark clinician, check out our Locations page to find a clinic near you or book online.