It’s “Move More Month” - How To Prevent Knee Pain From Slowing You Down

April is National “Move More Month”, created to encourage increased physical activity for improved health. However, for millions of Americans the pain of knee osteoarthritis can make walking and other activities painful and difficult. That’s why “Move More Month" is also recognized as a time to raise awareness for overall arthritis care.

“For those with knee osteoarthritis, Move More Month places a focus on low-impact exercise and non-surgical approaches to pain management,” says Dr. Pushpinder Sivia, vascular surgeon at Empire Vein & Vascular Specialists. “When the knee joint isn’t used regularly, it becomes stiffer, weaker, and more painful over time.”

Here are some gentle, low-impact activities for people who have knee osteoarthritis:

Walking:
A consistent, low-impact way to maintain joint mobility.

Cycling:
Unlike running or jumping, cycling doesn’t pound your knees. The smooth, circular motion reduces stress while still allowing you to stay active.

Swimming:
Water supports your body weight, which takes pressure off your knees completely. This allows you to move freely without the pain you feel on land and helps strengthen the muscles around the knee without overloading the joint.

“With osteoarthritis, even these simple movements can feel out of reach. People want to move, but pain holds them back,” says Dr. Sivia. “That’s why it’s important to look beyond traditional approaches and consider treatments that address the source of inflammation. Advancements in non-surgical treatments like Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) target inflammation within the knee—one of the primary drivers of arthritis pain.”

“GAE reduces inflammation by targeting the small arteries that contribute to pain,” says Dr. Sivia. “It is an effective, non-surgical alternative to traditional treatments, including pain medications and steroid injections. For many patients, GAE may be the best treatment option for osteoarthritis of the knee, and may delay or even prevent the need for knee replacement surgery. Patients are able to return to the daily movement that’s critical for long-term joint health.”

“GAE targets the underlying source of arthritis-related pain by reducing abnormal blood flow and inflammation. The procedure is performed through a tiny catheter and does not involve incisions, general anesthesia, or joint replacement. Most insurance plans cover the treatment.”

This Move More Month, the goal isn’t just to stay active—it’s to make movement possible again—with expert guidance leading the way.

For more information on non-surgical treatment of knee pain caused by osteoarthritis visit empirevein.com or call 1-888-263-7168 for a free consultation.

para español -  empirevein.com/es/ 

Offices in La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, Ontario, Riverside and Victorville.