Understanding Back and Knee Pain: Causes, Management, and Prevention | BIOS Medical

Back and knee pain are prevalent health issues that affect people of all ages and backgrounds. These conditions can significantly impact daily life, hindering mobility, limiting activities, and causing discomfort. Understanding the underlying causes of back and knee pain is the first step in effective management and prevention. Here’s what contributes to back and knee pain and some insights into pain management techniques and preventive measures.

Prevalence of Back and Knee Pain

A global estimate for the prevalence of chronic low back pain among individuals aged 20 to 59 years old is 19.6%, according to a systematic review. It is not known exactly how prevalent knee pain is worldwide but it’s estimated to be high based on other smaller studies of national populations like in Japan. Additionally, Statistics Canada states, “An estimated 37% of Canadians aged 20 or older have been diagnosed with arthritis reported osteoarthritis. Of these, 29%, experienced pain in their knee(s).”

These conditions are common reasons for doctor and chiropractor visits, and can lead to missed workdays and reduced productivity. The prevalence of back and knee pain increases with age, but it can affect people of all ages, including young adults and children.

Impact on Daily Life

Lower back and knee pain affects the most fundamental of movements. Back pain is a common problem among adults, affecting up to 80% of people at least once in their lifetime. As for the knees, osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting 1 in 10 Canadian adults (www.arthritis.ca), and the knee is one of the most common and most symptomatically affected joints, causing knee pain in many people      Simple tasks like walking, sitting, and standing can become challenging and uncomfortable with knee and lower back pain, and chronic back and knee pain can lead to psychological distress, sleep disturbances, and reduced quality of life. With its impact on daily life, it’s important to remember that coping and treatment should be an ongoing task as well.

Common Causes and Management Techniques for Back and Knee Pain

Understanding the causes of back and knee pain is essential for effective management and prevention. By identifying the underlying factors, individuals can make informed decisions about treatment options, lifestyle changes, and preventive measures. Proper diagnosis and management can significantly alleviate pain, improve function, and enhance overall quality of life. There are many reasons for knee and back pain, including: arthritis, sciatica, poor posture, and excessive physical exertion (lifting heavy weights with poor form). We’ll cover a few of these in the next section. If you’re experiencing chronic pain, it’s important to see a doctor.

Common Causes of Back Pain

Poor Posture

Common Causes of Knee Pain

• Osteoarthritis and wear-and-tear: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that commonly affects the knees. It occurs when the cartilage in the knee joint wears down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
• Ligament and meniscus injuries: The ligaments and meniscus in the knee joint can be injured due to trauma, sports injuries, or overuse. These injuries can cause pain, swelling, and instability in the knee.
• Overuse and repetitive stress injuries: Repetitive activities like running, jumping, or kneeling can put stress on the knee joint, leading to overuse injuries like patellar tendonitis or iliotibial band syndrome.

Preventive Measures and Lifestyle Changes

Weight and Diet

Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce stress on the back and knees. Additionally, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can provide essential nutrients for joint health. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help reduce inflammation and protect joints from damage.

Exercise and Stretching

Regular exercise, including low-impact activities like swimming or walking, can strengthen the muscles supporting the back and knees, improving stability and reducing the risk of injury. Stretching exercises can help improve flexibility and range of motion.  

Daily Life

Maintaining proper posture while sitting and standing, and using proper form when lifting heavy objects, can reduce stress on the back and knees. Using ergonomic chairs and workstations can help promote good posture and reduce the risk of pain.

Using Hot and Cold Therapy Products for Back and Knee Pain

BIOS has a range of products to help manage pain and promote healing Hot and cold therapy with gel beads is a simple approach to relieving some back and knee pain. Use hot gel beads to help provide relief from aches and pains, or use cold gel beads for sprain and bruising relief. Conforming Gel Beads help you manipulate and compress easily, allowing you to better target aches and pains. Reusable and non-toxic, these gel bead compresses are safe, flexible, and easy-to-use.  

Key Features and Benefits:

• Dual sided for maximum comfort and effect
• Flexible for easy application
• Reusable
• Non-Toxic

Shop BIOS Living Pain Management Products  

We have a pain management bundle for back and knee pain that’s perfectly tailored to meet these needs: Gel Bead Hot & Cold Bundle with Shoulder, Back and Knee Wraps.  

Our selection of pain management products also includes braces, supports, instant and reusable hot and cold packs, and more. Visit BIOS Medical today to browse products that can help you find relief and improve your quality of life.

Contact us if you have any questions.