Pain Management

Knee pain can significantly impact daily life, turning simple movements like walking or getting out of a chair into painful tasks. Fortunately, treatment options today extend far beyond traditional pain relief, as joint injection specialist Ariel Curtis, FNP-C, at Joint Health Solutions knows. She takes an integrative approach to pain by improving joint health, reducing inflammation, and restoring mobility with both conventional and cutting-edge therapies. Schedule a visit by calling the office in Charlotte, North Carolina, or booking an appointment online today.

What causes knee pain?

One of the most common causes of chronic knee pain is osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease that affects millions.

It happens when healthy cartilage at the ends of bones wears down, causing joint pain, swelling, and reduced flexibility. OA often worsens with age, but factors like joint injuries, obesity, and family history can speed up the process.

How do you manage knee pain?

Rather than just masking pain, Ariel Curtis, FNP-C, offers integrative pain management. This whole-body approach blends traditional treatments with complementary therapies for lasting relief and improved quality of life.

Integrative pain management may include:

Movement and physical therapy

Targeted exercises help strengthen muscles around your knee, improve your stability, and ease strain. Walking, tai chi, water aerobics, and other low-impact activities support flexibility without overloading your joints.

Joint-friendly nutrition

Eating anti-inflammatory foods such as leafy greens, berries, turmeric, and foods rich in omega-3s can help reduce joint pain. Supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen may also support cartilage health.

Mind-body therapies

Chronic pain often affects mood and stress levels. Mindfulness practices, meditation, and activities like yoga can help reduce both stress and pain perception.

What is joint injection therapy?

For more targeted relief, joint injection therapies can provide direct support to painful knees:

Corticosteroid injections

These well-known injections can help quickly reduce inflammation and pain, especially during flare-ups.

Hyaluronic acid injections

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring joint lubricant that may thin with age. These injections help replenish hyaluronic acid, acting as a lubricant and cushion inside your knee joint, helping improve mobility.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

These injections use your body’s healing factors (from your blood) to reduce inflammation and stimulate tissue repair.

Stem cell therapy

This emerging therapy shows significant promise in regenerating damaged cartilage and improving function.

These regenerative therapies aim not just to reduce symptoms but to support actual healing and long-term joint health.

With a blend of lifestyle changes, nutritional support, and innovative therapies like joint injections, it's possible to manage pain and keep moving forward.

If knee pain is limiting your life, schedule a visit at Joint Health Solutions today to learn more about an integrative treatment plan that supports your whole body, starting with your joints. Call the office or reach out online today to request an appointment.