How To Relieve Knee Pain After Giving Birth

What would be a better feeling than holding your baby for the first time in your arms? Not only is it mentally relaxing but you get physically relieved as well. Because now that you’ve given birth, you don’t have to carry the extra weight anymore, and you’ll be back in shape with no more back pain and annoying body aches, eventually. Right? 

But the truth is many women experience joint pain, body aches especially after c-section, backache, and knee pain after giving birth. Have you wondered why?

There might be one or more reasons (all the reasons are mentioned below, so keep reading) that cause body aches even after the delivery.

Here we will specifically discuss how to relieve knee pain after giving birth. 

So let’s dive in. 

Post Delivery Knee Pain – Why Does It Happen? 

There are many reasons as to why you might experience knee joint pain even after the delivery such as: 

• When you get pregnant, your body starts releasing a hormone “relaxin” that tends to lose your joints and relax your muscles in the third trimester. After delivery, the remains of this hormone can cause problems. Also, the already loose joints can cause pain even with the slightest ignorance. 
• If you’re carrying too much weight right after the delivery, that can cause pressure to the lower body parts, especially the knee joint. How much weight, you ask? Even your newborn’s weight can cause pressure and pain. Carrying your baby for long or in the wrong posture can cause problems. 
• Dehydration can also make your knee joints weak after pregnancy and cause pain. Your body needs a lot of water after delivery to be energized. Not drinking enough water while feeding your baby can cause severe aches.
• Breastfeeding your baby in the wrong posture can add stress to the back and ultimately knees. 
• Postpartum arthritis after giving birth can cause knee pain. Postpartum arthritis can be caused due to traumatic vaginal delivery and malnutrition. The joints wear and tear, ultimately resulting in arthritis. Rheumatoid treatment based on your condition helps you get better and strengthen your joints. 

Is knee pain after pregnancy common? 

Yes. But in most women, it goes away on its own as the body comes to its normal. 

Nevertheless, many new moms find it difficult to get rid of knee pain after pregnancy. They need to follow home remedies religiously and get advice from their doctor ASAP. 

Postpartum Knee Pain – Treatment Options 

Knee pain after delivery exercises 

You can start by taking a light, slow walk. Try to stretch your body to relieve muscle tension and strain. 

Don’t overdo any exercise because it can do more harm than good. If you really want to follow an exercise routine then consult a physiotherapist who will give you a tailored set of exercises that you can follow and see positive results. 

Home remedies to get rid of knee pain after delivery 

• Take lots of rest. Lie down and relax. This is the key to healing. 
• Don’t carry your baby for long. Try to make them sleep in a cot and take rest when they’re asleep. 
• Use a feeding pillow to avoid stress on your lower body while breastfeeding. 
• Use cold and hot compresses to relieve knee pain. 
• Take over-the-counter painkillers. 
• Massage your knee with coconut oil or olive oil. You should take the help of a professional to stay away from complications. 

Medications 

Your doctor might recommend a few painkillers, depending upon the root cause. If you’re not breastfeeding, you might get corticosteroids to get rid of immense pain. 

Other than that, your doctor might recommend good multivitamins to strengthen your muscles. 

Laser Pain Therapy – An alternative treatment to relieve knee pain after giving birth 

If you have knee pain after pregnancy that isn’t going away and is making your daily life activities difficult, then you can give a try to a safe, proven, and effective alternative treatment – laser pain therapy or low-level laser therapy (LLLT). 

The procedure is being practised across the world with zero side effects. But you should go to a well-known pain management clinic that has experienced rheumatologists to do the job. 

BioFlex Pakistan is a one of a kind pain management clinic that treats various neuromuscular conditions with the help of a safe laser beam. You’ll need a few sessions of therapy before your pain subsides 100%

Want to know more or book your appointment? Just click here and fill out a booking form to get a call from us.

The Takeaway 

Knee pain after pregnancy is common. There are many reasons that can cause chronic knee pain in new mothers.

Above are some of the ways (home remedies, exercises, medication, and laser pain therapy) to relieve knee pain after giving birth.