Effective Natural Remedies for Knee Pain Relief

Read the post today about the olive oil and ACV for knee problems:

04/09/2006: Skyye : "Within the hour, a mix of ACV & Olive oil applied with cotton wool on the knee, massaged in after about 20 mins and the severe pain is gone. Also took 2 tbsp in a glass of water. No painkillers necessary!!!"

My husband hurt his knee last week, had a shot in the knee, no help. Was scheduled to see Dr again tomorrow. He massaged the mixture into his knee JUST ONCE and got immediate relief. Just used the massage mixture for a second time. Also mixed up 2 tbsp of ACV in water and is drinking that, too. AMAZING!!! Hopefully he won't need the Dr visit tomorrow.

Year ago I injured my right knee - the meniscus - working out. It was very painful for a few weeks, but I continued to exercise and it healed, but not completely. I can't do high impact workouts. I was travelling last week and forgot to bring my supplements with me. When I returned, I went for a walk in our hilly neighborhood. By the second small hill, the knee with the meniscus issue starting killing me and I limped home, barely making it up our driveway it was hurting so badly. My knee never gives me this kind of pain! Then I realized that what I stopped taking for the past week was my omega 3 fish oil capsules. I immediately took one and then 2 more the next day. My pain level went down 80% within a day and was back to my "normal" (that is, ocasional inflammation with fast recovery) within 2 days. I am amazed at how much the fish oil helps. I have taken fish oil regularly for years, but only now figured out that it's what has been helping my knee this whole time!!!

I would agree that Apple Cider Vinegar may give a lot of help and won't hurt. I notice a difference in my back pain when I let up on using ACV.

Peppermint essential oil is good for pain and healing and so is castor oil. (I use these for lots of things if you read my other posts! ) Massage either into the pained area as needed.

Lots of water is also very good for pain. Symptoms for everything are much worse when your body isn't fully hydrated.

Sugar is very bad for pain and healing. (Too bad it is so delicious! ) Some honey is okay.

Hope you get some relief. My mother has terrible, terrible knees and I have watched her suffer since I was a girl, so I sympathize in that.

Brenda - Since it's not a drug, there is zero risk. You have nothing at all to lose by trying it. If it doesn't work for you, you've lost nothing. And if it does work, HOORAY! :) That's the beauty of alternative/natural treatment. I have read many, many ACV success stories. You won't know if yours will be a success story unless you try it.

Go for it! :)

I have had 7 surgeries on my knees 4 on one and 3 on the other, I have no knee caps anymore, I can still walk but lately since the last surgery(aug 2012) I have so much pain at times it is unbearable, I am wondering does this apple cider vinegar really work and if so, will it help me cause I feel like I am on my last legs. I see a wheelchair in my near future if I don't do something soon. I will try anything.

I suffered an acute hyper-extension of the right knee at age 18. I am now 57. I had a world renown doctor do the surgery. The procedure was called "pull thru method". Since this surgery I have never had full bend. Now I have swelling and pain and 35% bend. Can this be corrected? Thank You for your time, dryvway

HI U GOOD FOLKS DOIN, , , , , , , ,

Well, at 76 things are getting about as interesting as I can stand. Now it's my dang right knee. When I was doing Ozone for my cancer, the nearest place is Atlanta where I was scheduled for a procedure called, MAH. They pull out a pint of blood and ozonate it and drip it back into your vein. With my cancer gone I don't need that. Instead, I will see if they will do a procedure called Prolozone. Here they shoot your knee with vitamins and minerals followed by a shot of Ozone. Last week the Orthopedic Surgeron's opinion is that my knee is not close to replacement and the only thing he could do for me was a cortisone shot which the last time gave me relief of two weeks. The Prolozone procedure supposedly will allow your cartlidge to grow back over time, but in any case it will give you pain relief for many months or years. Only 14 states allow MD's to utilize Ozone. It is too cheap and too effective.

The research I've done is that you get almost instant pain relief but may take several treatments to get a lasting effect. Naturally, I'll tell ATS when I can.

==========ROBERT HENRY============

I have arthrofibrosis of my left knee. I had a ski accident several years ago and the scar tissue hardened and grew to the point that I could no longer bend my knee. I had to have surgery along with a manipulation to fix it. I was super, super careful with the rehibilitation after the surgery so that my body wouldn't do the same thing again - feel pain, over-respond to it by creating scar tissue to fix it. Anyhow, today, 5 years later, the pain is much better. I can walk normally and my knee is no longer painful to the touch. I drink a lot of alkaline water and take a whole foods vitamin daily. I also eat a Paleo diet. All of this has helped, along with not doing too much too soon physically. My quad is weak but I'm slowly strengthening it. I will never be able to enjoy some of the more active things that I used to enjoy, but I can walk and I'm not in pain anymore. Best of luck.

I have a friend who has had to have 2 surgeries on her knee and a manipulation. She has been told that she has Athrofibrosis of the knee. Is there any Herbal remedies that can help her with this condition? Please help.

With you guys 100%. I did something to my knee. To this day I have no idea what caused it but one day it started hurting like crazy. 2 days later I was driving and when I hit the brakes the pain was excruciating. I hobbled to my doc and he gave me a very expensive anti-inflammatory and pain killer prescription. On my way to the pharmacy I decided to go to a naturopath. He prescribed a $5 bottle of pure Castor Oil and told me to go home, elevate my leg, rub the Castor Oil on my knee 3 times a day and wrap with a tensor bandage so the oil wouldn't get on my clothes or sheets. I woke up the next morning and the swelling was down about 95%. Followed the same procedure on day 2. Day 3 I woke up and my leg felt great. Still a tiny bit of tenderness but I could walk up and down stairs with 0 pain. Day 4... Gone. I've since recommended this treatment many times. With two people I recommended this to whenever I see them in a pub they always buy me a beer in thanks. My $5 investment has paid off dozens of times... Pain free and a lower bar tab. Can't argue with that.

I have been having knee pain for the last several weeks. I think my knee pain is caused from weight I gained. I have used the castor oil and it stopped and came back. I tried the Arnica and it still did not help. I see alot of post that they use the apple cider vinegar. I am going to try it. I start taking the tumeric and ginger about a week but I guess it is too soon to see the results.

I know this is an old post, but if you still stop in to EC, could you say what brand you used or if any will kind will let me know. Looking for an answer. Thanks

Reply to: Purelife from Columbia, Sc......

take 4 packets of KNOX GELATIN in 8 ozs orange juice every day two packets in am and two packets in pm. Also mixes well in chocolate milk. In 8 - 10 weeks you will see improvement starting. It works. My knees are now perfect and I'm over 70. I still take a packet or two every month. It's very inexpensive insurance.

Question for Ken from Henderson, Nv, Usa about gelatin powder. Did you follow the direction on the package, or did you mix gelatin cold or room temp. orange juice. Let me know? Thank you.

with such low PH maybe you should check for celiacs or gluten sensitivity (not quite the same thing) Maybe even another food intolerance or allergy.

Do you suppose the vinegar and brown paper remedy is what the nusery rhyme is meant to tell us when it fixed jack's "broken head"

You need to take the turmeric for about a month before you see any improvement. It took me 3 months to get all the effects of the herb. I would suggest it to everyone it is so better than taking drugs that the doctors want you to take. Do research on the internet there are more herbs out there that can help with whatever you may have. ACV is also another one I take 2 times daily.

Hello.
How do you take the borax? Is it the same borax that is sold as a laundry aid?

Con, I mix turmeric in a lot of dishes and soups and I don't even notice it. I often also mix minced garlic just before serving and nowadays a bit of raw olive oil as well.

Turmeric is a great anti-inflamitory! I love it stirred into tomato juice along with some black pepper, or in my one cup of morning coffee along with a tablespoon of VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil). I use about 1/2 tsp (or a bit less) 2x a day now. When I first started taking it I went overboard, and had some stomach issues, so I stopped for a while. I started in taking it again, but at a much reduced amount and built up to the amount I take now s-l-o-w-l-y.

I also have found taking Boron (capsules) has made my joint pain go away. Google "Boron and Arthritis" and see what comes up - it is awesome and inexpensive. :-) You also need to take D-3 at at least 2,000 a day and a good Magnesium along with as they interact with each other to help bones. Apparently from what I have been reading, Boron is every bit as important for building strong bones as Calcium is. (along with a LOT of other functions, hence my suggestion to Google it! )

One more thing that is excellent for inflamation (and avoiding getting sick) is Vitamin C. When all of those around me have the dreaded CRUD - I start taking 1,000mg Of Vitamin C at least 4x a day... And have not caught anything from anyone in a long time. Research Linus Pauling and Vitamin C - some very interesting reading!

One year ago I had problems with my knees (bending and stooping they felt like they were going to give out on me). I started taking turmeric and now I can bend and stoop with no problems. I take turmeric capsules, usually once a day, and also mix a little (1/4 teaspoon or so) in tomato juice. Still trying to find more ways to work it into my diet.

I started having knee problems once while taking an antibiotic called Levaquin. It is a member of the fluroquinolone family of antibiotics- Cipro is another. I was prescribed heavy doses on a regular basis for recurring UTI's and bladder infections. A couple of years ago, while taking the medications, I noticed a severe weakness is my knees. I felt like they were just going to snap. I had trouble getting around and was in a lot of pain. I got on line and did some research and it didn't take long to find out that the FDA issued a black box warning a couple of years ago for these types of antibiotics because they have shown to cause spontoaneous rupture of the tendons, in the achiles, the knees, the shoulders and hands.

I immediately stopped taking the drugs and started oil pulling because from my understanding, fluroquinolones have a certain type of fluoride that can be particularly toxic and oil pulling may be helpful in reducing the levels of fluoride in the body. I did notice marked improvement after a few days, though my knees have never been the same. I did not have any knee problems before, was not doing anything strenuous-- the only variable was the Levaquin. Now I still have cracking in my knees that can be painful at times. In addition to the oil pulling, I have also begun moderate strength training to build up the muscles around the knee and this helps very much. I try not to cross my legs as much too as this seems to put pressure on my knees.

Hi Brendan, you can buy gelatin powder in the grocery store here in Australia. It is in the baking aisle. Good luck, Lily.

Hello Brenden,
The gelatin does have a role in our body, it isn't the vitamin content but it is ability to work with the activities of the glands, causing the glands to take from the digested vitamins. The gelatin when taken at least 3x a week is a really good thing to do to your body, especially after eating or after taking your vitamins. For your knees, I would try rubbing peanut oil on them, especially after a hot sauna, or hot bath, or a steam bath. The reason is that when your pores are open, the peanut oil really gets into your bones and your cartilage areas. Peanut oil, olive oil, Castor oil, any of those oils will work. You can follow the oil rubs with a little bit of grain alcohol to close the pores to really get the oil in there. Also you can do a salt and apple cider vinegar rub on your knees if they hurt. Get salt and put ACV in it until it is wet all over. I would do this before the bath and then the bath and then the oil rubs.

Hey Ken, I am very interested about this gelatin stuff for knees. I've been skateboarding since about 12 yrs and I'm now 25 and my knees are not great especially for my age. My mate is even worse as he is a commercial vinyl layer and skates too so has terrible knee problems. Mine are not so bad but I'm sure they could do with a bit of restoration and I'd rather help them now before I have a serious problem with them. I know my mate would also appreciate some help in this area as he's already had several knee ops and he's my age. Is the gelatin any specific type or if I just go to the pharmacy will they have the same sort of stuff. I'm in Australia so I don't know but I doubt we've got the knox one you are refering too. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Brendan.

My experience.. Back around 1985 my knees had to be replaced. The cartiledge had worn away, and jagged bone was scraping on bone. Best known Dr. in Boston, Ma took xrays. (BRUINS & CELTICS DR. ) both I and my wife saw the xrays. Got a 2nd opinion from specialist in Lowell, Ma. Same diagnosis same xrays. Looked very bad. I COULD HARDLY WALK UP STAIRS AT all, Knees hurt so bad. No tennis, racketball, waterskiing, skating, no nothing. Bone against bone in both knees. Went home and on line found a study being done at harvard univ. They gave ground up chicken cartiledge to patients about to get knee replacments. They reported amazing reversal of knee problems.

It took about 2 months for some pain to go away... So I started taking 4 packets of KNOX GELATIN in orange juice every day. After 60 days I saw improvement starting. At six months I could climb stairs and run around with a frisbee with my kids. At one year I felt back to normal. About ten years ago I fell on my shoulder and it was xrayed in winchester, Ma. I told the doctor about my knee problem, he asked if he could xray my knees, and he did. HE POINTED OUT TO ME ALL THE WHITE CARTILEDGE IN MY KNEE JOINTS. He stated emphatically that I never had a knee problem in my knees.

I am now almost 70 and my knees are perfect. I know people who suffered with knee pain and knox gelatin made their pain go away. I still take one packet every week or two. I actually told Knox about how it effected my knees, but they wern't interested. (I know there is a lot of money made with knee surgery today. ) So basic it's hard to beleive. If I can help anyone who has a knee problem, explain what I did, email me at kenpratt1(at)gmail(dot)com. I'm not looking for anything. If I can help one person I'll be very happy..... Please try it. It is practically free(the knox is so cheap at the food store) email me. I am no doctor, but I have great knees. Also if you have used knox let me know how it worked for you. MAYBE WE CAN HELP SOME OTHERS........... KEN

Update on my knee pain. Now that I've been doing the leg stretches for 3 days (I've done them every 3-5 hours during the day), the knee pain (plus leg muscle pain) is 100% gone. I'm assuming that it would return if I stop the leg bend/stretches, so I'll continue to do them, just not as often.

I'm glad there's at least one suggestion to use exercise. Being overweight at 61 I've had occasional pain in my knees and, particularly, in my hip nerve from time to time. About 2 weeks ago I started having severe knee pain in my right knee, some in my left knee. The hip nerve thing came back and the pain although concentrating in the knee area was extending to my leg muscles and hip nerve again. It was getting worse each day at an alarming rate and I began wondering whether I should go to the doctor and whether I'd need a cane, surgery (or what?). I even went to my office manager at work and told her that I was incapable of walking down 5 flights of stairs for an emergency at our office building because my leg was starting to give out walking down 3 steep steps of a bus every day.

So I returned to this web site which has been a lifesaver. I tried a number of the remedies (Vitamin C, tumeric/ginger, ACV). Unfortunately they didn't really help. As an aside, I had super results with ACV in losing weight until I had to stop because it was causing my blood pressure to go up. I went to youtube and was very surprised and delighted to find that there are people who have had success with specific exercises for the leg muscles that dramatically help the knee. In my research online I learned that there are a number of different types of knee joint problems so exercising is not always the solution. But the concept is that weak, underused leg muscles allow the knee cap to get out of position causing pain and other problems. There were quite a number of people who wrote that the exercises helped their knees dramatically and quickly. I tried a couple of the "easy" exercises and for me got immediate relief of about 60%. Within 2 days of doing the exercises I'm better 85%. I'll continue to do them because it's a marvelous feeling to get rid of the knee pain and nerve weakness. Immediately after doing the exercises my legs have this feeling of well-being (lasting temporarily) that seems to say, "Thank you, that's the right thing to do. "

Anyway, for anybody else wanting to try exercising, the 2 exercises I liked best were: (1) Standing on 1 leg while you bent and held the foot to your other leg so that your knee was pointed straight to the floor. (2) Bending your foot up and stretching the ankle so that your back leg muscle is stretched. I accomplish this best by standing on one leg and stretching the other leg out behind me while keeping the foot flat on the floor (even bending the knee to stretch the angle of the foot more). To be safe, it would be helpful to see the youtube videos on line: (1) Knee Pain Rehab Video Patellar Tendonitis www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQjaWaIzJXA&feature=related and (2) No More Knee Pain Corrective Stretching Video www.youtube.com/watch?v=--PeQIBwdxc&feature=related

Hope this helps somebody else, too.

WARNING!

We tried this and it left a nasty skin burn on my poor husband's leg. Be careful when taking this advice.

I started taking Organic Raw ACV just this week and already have noticed that my knee pain has gone away. Just last week I was holding on to the banister for support when going up the stairs and today I realized I didn't need support, that the knee pain was gone. As for weight loss, nothing yet to report, but it's only been 4 days and my monthly friend is due any day now, so kind of hard to tell. I have noticed though a decrease in appetite and getting full a lot quicker. As for the taste of ACV, well I was hooked on GT Dave's Raw Kombucha tea for a while so it wasn't much of a taste difference switching to ACV. I now prefer ACV with water because it is not carbonated and it is just way cheaper than Kombucha tea. I mix 2 TBSP of ACV in 8oz water with 2 TBSP of agave nectar first thing in the morning and again at bed time. I might sneak in another serving while at work. Anyway, I read from some reviews that the weight loss is a gradual process, so don't expect it to happen over night. I would just be happy to lose the belly bloat, to be honest, which I happen to think is slowly taking place.

Hello, I visited the website two days ago and used the ACV soaked towel remedy to help with a sore knee. The pain went away, but the swelling persisted and I ended up having to take ibuprofen anyway. I began using a knee brace the next day, and when I took it off last night I had little red bumps all over my knee. I thought the bumps were irritation caused by the brace, but this evening they have reappeared, and I have not used the brace today. Does anyone know if ACV can cause a rash as a side effect? I certainly hope not, because I would like to continue using it for other things. I tried doing some research on ACV, but my searches keep coming up without helpful information. Thanks for your help!

I suffer with knee pain. I tried rubbing vinegar on my right knee. The pain has gone away.

I am 52 had started jumping on a trampoline on the fourth day I hooked my foot on a torn section of trampoline bed, could feel the outside of left knee tender. Then I wore 2.5 in. heels that night walking around four hours, by 10 p.m. I had such pain, off with those cruel shoes. The pain was felt especially if I moved leg laterally. After search on earthclinic I decided to use ACV mixed with water (70-85% ACV) and a small amount of Cayenne pepper (depends on your tolerance). Soaked a piece of cloth in mixture, wrapped my left knee with cloth then wrapped it in plastic wrap. I took off cloth on awaking. Knee felt better, but still small pain, by afternoon I forgot about pain and realized I had no pain. It was amazing! My knees have always been on the weak side, it has been 2 months since that happened and my knee is painfree. Thanks so much to all on earthclinic.

I bought some turmeric pills from Walmart and used the whole bottle. No relief for this girl. I was so hoping it would do the trick for my joints and knees. Had my husband on it also until I reread the bottle and it would have interfered with one of his meds. Oh well-- it was worth the try.

Hi R. After years of many hours a day of gymnastics training from the time I was 5, I finally got a terrible (AWFUL) case of Osgood-Schlatter Disease (serious swelling below the knee cap) on my left side when I was 11 years old. It was so bad, it abruptly ended my gymnastics passion. It was extraordinarily painful at the time and took a good year or two to heal. The lump is still there though I rarely feel any lingering pain unless I accidentally "bump the lump". For me the key to my OSD and other knee issues (meniscus injury, arthritic joints) is daily exercise, thus keeping circulation running through the entire area. Hanging upside down on my inversion board also helps increase circulation in my legs when needed.

I also apply magnesium oil to my knees when they are feeling painful and take omega 3 fish oil and primrose oil almost daily. Omega 3s are supposed to be taken with primrose oil or they will increase inflammation, according to an osteopathic doctor I talked to. Both of these supplements help tremendously. I haven't tried them yet, but a few folks on EC talk about apple cider vinegar or castor oil wraps for knee issues. Please let us know what you find out!

I am looking for any help and or suggestions for Osgood-Schlatter Disease. I have an adult in my family that still suffers from knee pain related to this disease. Thanks in advance for any help.

Thanks Carla. I had my doubts about going through with the surgery, but now I'm not quite as doubtful. Tahiti

Hi Tahiti - My husband had this type of knee surgery about a year ago. He is very glad he did it, and his knee is back to being useable and pain free again. It is not a very long surgery (as I recall, it was about an hour of sedation in his case). His recovery was rapid too - back to normal walking around in less than a week.

Our neighbor also had this surgery about 6 months ago, and his results were similar.

I say go for it - you will be very glad you did it if you are in daily pain and it is keeping you from doing the things that you want to do.

Best to you,
Carla

I am due to have arthroscopic surgery on my right knee in approximately two weeks from now. I really don't want to, but I am in so much pain that I have to do something. Goosebeans has given his recipe that has helped him. I am going to try it, but I want to know if anyone else has other ideas I could try too. Has anyone else on earthclinic had arthroscopic surgery? If you have, what were the results and were you pleased with them? Would you recommend having this surgery to anyone else? Your replies will be greatly appreciated!

I've been using castor oil packs as a healing treatment off and on for years since first learning of their efficacy from a 'holistic' doctor here in Phoenix. Once years ago I accidentally slammed a car door on my ankle which caused tremendous swelling and bruising and I simply could not bear any weight on my foot. Elevated the leg and wrapped the ankle in a rag soaked with castor oil and applied heating pad over ankle. Remained that way for most of the night and upon waking, nearly all swelling and bruising was gone and I was able to walk and bear weight on injured ankle again! Amazing.

Several years ago tripped and fell down a flight of concrete stairs landing on both knees. Both knees swelled and were in excruciating pain. Proceeded to lie down with both legs elevated on top of several pillows and applied a well-soaked castor oil pack to each knee. Placed heating pad on top. Next morning - pain, stiffness and swelling was 95% gone and was able to go about my normal activities.

Am currently working on severe tendonitis in right shoulder affecting rotator cup and extending down right arm, using castor oil treatments at night. Will let you know results.

Hi Christine,

Passing along a home remedy I learned from a patient's mother. She said her daughter twisted her ankle the evening before. The child's ankle looked fine and I could move it all around without any wincing from pain. I could find nothing wrong with it and asked if she was sure she twisted it the day before. After her assurance she did, I asked what she did for it.

Her answer: "I took a piece of brown poke, scruffed it between my hands to get the stiff out, soaked it in vinegar and wropped it around her foot and ankle and left it on all night. After further questioning as to the identity of the piece of brown poke (my first guess was some dried poke sallet leaves) but it turned out to be brown paper grocery bag. When I got home that evening, I found my daughter had twisted her ankle again that day, so we used the brown poke soaked in vinegar, wrapped it around her foot and ankle, covered it with saran wrap, then used ace bandage to keep it on and left it on over night.

Next morning we were both happy to find that she was walking without pain, where she usually limped for a week or two afterwards.

Another EC correspondent recently wrote in about her husband's bad knee flare up and how she waited until he went to sleep and wrapped a vinegar soaked towel around his knee & covered it with saran wrap and left it on overnight and how much better his knee was the next morning. Since she said the towel soaked with vinegar worked so well, you probably can omit having to scruff the stiff out of the brown poke and go with the towel.

Good luck with the vinegar, but I would also keep up the MSM.

Sprained my knee badly a few weeks ago. Have tried MSM, apple cider vinegar, cayenne, etc. Nothing works, although ACV and MSM do reduce swelling a little. It takes a long time to recover from a sprain, and working on your feet all day as I do just makes it take longer.