By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Knee pain is not random. Where you feel the pain can serve as a powerful diagnostic clue to the underlying problem. By understanding the source of your symptoms, you can take the appropriate first steps toward recovery. As a board-certified sports medicine physician , I evaluate knee pain every day in my clinic. In this guide, I walk through 15 of the most common causes of knee pain, organize

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Magnesium deficiency has been linked to worse arthritis symptoms and accelerated radiographic progression of joint disease. What makes this particularly concerning is that nearly half of Americans consume less than the recommended daily amount of magnesium from food — and this shortfall tends to worsen with age. In this post, I will review the current evidence on how magnesium affects joint h

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic (semaglutide), Wegovy, and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) have transformed the landscape of medical weight loss. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes management, these medications are now generating excitement for an entirely different reason: their potential role in treating arthritis . Emerging clinical evidence suggests that GLP-1 agonists may not only r

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video CBD products have rapidly expanded from specialty clinics to mainstream health stores, with consumers turning to them for pain relief, anxiety management, and sleep support. But does topical CBD — in the form of creams, lotions, and oils — actually deliver on its promises? As a sports medicine physician , I frequently encounter patients asking whether CBD is worth trying for conditions like a

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Sugar is everywhere — and who does not enjoy a little sweetness? But the reality is that sugar poses a silent threat to health, contributing to worse outcomes and chronic pain regardless of body weight. Whether you are normal weight, overweight, or lean, excess sugar is toxic to the body. In this article, I will break down the hidden ways sugar affects your health and how reducing your intake

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Many of the foods marketed as healthy choices — yogurt, granola bars, bottled smoothies, and fortified cereals — are quietly packed with far more added sugar than most people realize. If you are managing arthritis, joint pain, or any inflammatory condition, excess sugar intake can directly worsen your symptoms by fueling chronic low-grade inflammation throughout the body. According to the Ame

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Stem cell therapy has become one of the most talked-about treatments in the world of joint pain and arthritis. The promise is alluring: a single injection that could repair damaged cartilage, eliminate chronic pain, and restore mobility without surgery. But does the science actually support the hype? As a sports medicine physician who specializes in orthobiologic treatments , I want to walk

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 5 min read Watch the Full Video If you have knee osteoarthritis and conventional treatments like over-the-counter pain medications or cortisone injections have not provided adequate relief, genicular nerve blocks may be a treatment worth considering. This ultrasound-guided procedure targets the specific nerves responsible for transmitting knee pain to the brain, offering meaningful short-term relief that can help you get mo

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 04, 2026 · 6 min read Watch the Full Video Can the foods you eat really impact the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis ? Most people assume that joint health is entirely about mechanical wear and tear, but recent science tells a different story. Your diet may be one of the most important—and most overlooked—factors in managing osteoarthritis symptoms. The connection lies in an unexpected place: the trillions of bacteria living in yo

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Ginger has been a cornerstone of culinary and traditional medicinal practices for over 5,000 years. Revered in Ayurvedic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and ancient Egyptian healing traditions, this humble root has earned a remarkable reputation that modern science is now beginning to validate. Known for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, ginger offers far more t

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Red light therapy and low-level laser therapy are increasingly being used to treat a wide range of painful conditions, from osteoarthritis and tendonitis to chronic neck and back pain. These treatments fall under the broader category of photobiomodulation (PBM), and they are emerging as safe, drug-free alternatives for managing pain and reducing inflammation. In this article, I review the la

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2025 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have become one of the most promising regenerative medicine treatments for osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Clinical trials continue to demonstrate that PRP can outperform many conventional treatments — but not all PRP is created equal. There are three critical mistakes that can undermine the effectiveness of your PR

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 10 min read Watch the Full Video Living with knee osteoarthritis often means navigating a confusing landscape of treatment options, especially when it comes to injections. If cortisone shots have given you little to no lasting improvement, you are far from alone. The good news is that there are several alternatives worth considering, and the clinical evidence behind them continues to grow. In this guide, we will compare the

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2025 · 20 min read Watch the Full Video What Is Knee Osteoarthritis and Why Is It So Complex? Knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is defined by the progressive loss of cartilage within the joint. Despite its prevalence, most patients have a limited understanding of the condition and the full range of treatment options available. In my practice, I frequently encounter patients who have received incomplete o

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 12 min read Watch the Full Video Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries, affecting athletes and older adults alike. They can cause significant pain and disability in some people, yet in others they produce no symptoms at all. This disconnect is one of the main reasons there is so much confusion surrounding meniscus tear treatment — patients often receive conflicting advice from different providers. As a boar

Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 In my practice, one of the most common questions I hear from patients with knee arthritis is whether exercise is safe — and more specifically, whether strength training will make their joints worse. The evidence is clear: not only is strength training safe for most people with knee osteoarthritis, it is among the most effective interventions we have for red

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 If you have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, you are likely wondering what you can do to keep it from getting worse — and whether surgery is inevitable. In my practice as a sports medicine physician, I meet patients every day who are anxious about their diagnosis and overwhelmed by conflicting advice. The good news is that there are three

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 Arthritis affects millions of people worldwide, and while medications and injections play an important role in treatment, nutrition is one of the most underutilized tools for managing joint pain and inflammation. In my practice as a sports medicine physician, I have treated thousands of patients with arthritis and have seen firsthand how powerful

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 Osteoarthritis affects millions of people worldwide, and one of the most common questions I hear from patients is whether dietary changes can meaningfully reduce joint pain. The answer, supported by a growing body of clinical evidence, is encouraging. Research now demonstrates that something as simple as eating berries on a daily basis may help r

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2025 | Last Updated: March 3, 2025 Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have become one of the most discussed treatments for knee osteoarthritis, yet misinformation remains widespread. Some orthopedic surgeons continue to dismiss PRP as unproven, while certain providers in regenerative medicine make exaggerated claims about regrowing an entirely new knee. The truth, as the latest