Over the years, my knees have taken quite a beating. In high school, a knee injury during field hockey put an end to my cross-country running. A bad fall during nursing school in my 30s, ironically, spelled similar doom to a healthcare career that would require many hours on my feet, as even knee surgery didn’t help enough. The normal wear and tear on those two vital joints added to all the other abuse I’ve inflicted on my knees, meaning that I’m now extremely challenged by climbing stairs or standing for long periods.
(Strengthen your joints, sculpt your arms, and engage your core with Runner’s World’s New IronStrength Workout program.)
I’m not alone in my dilemma: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that some 18 percent of Americans suffer from knee pain. But that doesn’t provide much relief.
In an effort to reduce the pain and increase my mobility (and hopefully start shedding a few pounds in the process), I began searching for some new remedies. So when I heard about the Carepeutic Heated Physiotherapy Massager ($117-$130, amazon.com), I was intrigued. The device’s description claims that it eases joint pain in the elbow, shoulder, and knee with infrared light and heat, powerful magnets (2 x 1,000 gauss) and a 7,000 RPM vibration massage. (Warning: Don’t use it if you have a pacemaker!)
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While I wasn’t entirely sure what all the specifics meant, I did recall that part of a round of physical therapy I underwent a few years ago involved the use of a heated blanket, so the product seemed like it could—at least in theory—make a difference. I started poking around more and also learned that the Arthritis Foundation says heat therapy helps ease stiff joints as well as overworked muscles. Apparently heat stimulates circulation, which sends vital nutrition to joints and muscles, and research has shown that infrared therapy is effective in relieving pain.
Dr. Jordan Metzl breaks down what Runner’s Knee is, how to prevent it, and how to cure it:
After checking with the physical therapist who helped me with a severe bout of sciatica to ensure I wouldn’t harm myself, I ordered the Carepeutic. It resembles an athletic kneepad with a small box dangling from the front and a long electric cord. There’s also a leatherette pad used to insulate skin from the metal heating elements. I plugged it in, placed the pad on my knee, strapped the kneepad on with the attached straps, and pressed the button. I decided to turn the heat all way up to its max—149 degrees—to find out just how powerful it really was. (Find out what diet changes this woman made to get rid of her constant joint pain once and for all.)
After about five minutes, I started feeling some mild heat. The massager put out its gentle vibes, and the heat continued its gradual rise. Even at 149 degrees, I felt only a soothing warmness. The massager automatically shuts off after 30 minutes, so the danger of a harmful burn is low.
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Since I started using the Carepeutic (about twice a week), my knee has definitely become a bit less stiff, and walking doesn’t seem to bother me as much. But what it’s really helping me with is my right shoulder—the one that grows stiff after a long day of hauling my reporter’s backpack with a digital camera, tablet, recorder, extra batteries, notebooks, and pens. The massager works really, really well to relieve the stiffness in those muscles and allow me to do the stretching exercises that support shoulder flexibility.
My big complaint is that the cord, long as it is, isn’t quite long enough. I ended up using an extension cord so I could take in a therapy session while working in my office.
RELATED: 5 Exercises That Prevent Knee Pain as You Age
After experimenting with this gadget for about a week, I got a call that my 78-year-old mother (who has had several knee surgeries) had fallen and injured her knee. I hurried to her home to give her a hand, and I brought along the Carepeutic to see if it would help her, too. After a few sessions, she reported feeling some relief as well, and I saw the pain lines in her face decrease. In fact, it seems to be working for her knee better that it has been for mine. (Here are six scary reasons your joints hurt.)
I think I’m going to give this one to her and get another for myself... even though I’ll probably end up using it mostly on my shoulder!
The article I Tried A $120 Product For Knee Pain Relief. Here's What Happened. originally appeared on Prevention.
