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Homeopathy for Knee Pain

Knee pain is a common complaint, especially among older people. About a third of Americans over age 45 experience knee pain of some kind. In addition to standard treatments, there are some homeopathic treatments that may help with knee pain.

  1. Symptoms

    • Knee injuries and diseases can cause varying signs and symptoms. Arthritis can cause stiffness and swelling in addition to pain, for example, and injuries like tendonitis and ligament tears can cause swelling, severe pain that worsens when the knee is moved, and weakness in the joint.

    Standard Treatments

    • Knee injuries are often initially treated at home by resting and keeping the joint elevated. Medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and over-the-counter pain medication can relieve pain. Diseases like arthritis and other underlying causes of knee pain must be treated directly.

    Homeopathy

    • Homeopathy is a practice of alternative medicine that focuses on the principle of similars, or "like cures like"--patients take substances that are thought to cause effects similar to the symptoms suffered. The principle of dilutions, which states that homeopathic medicines are more effective in lower doses, is another central point of homeopathy.

    Efficacy of Homeopathy

    • Few studies have found evidence to support homeopathy as an effective treatment for any condition. A study by the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital showed that homeopathic remedies used for rheumatoid arthritis in the knee and other joints did not have any effect on symptoms.

    Homeopathic Remedies

    • Many homeopathic remedies are marketed for the treatment of knee pain. Osteoarthritis treatments, for example, include turmeric, horsetail and celery seed extract. Experts advise that you do not use homeopathy exclusively as a replacement for conventional medical care.

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