Articles On Knee Pain
You can do many things to help knee pain, whether it’s due to a recent injury or arthritis you’ve had for years.
Follow these 11 dos and donâts to help your knees feel their best.
Donât rest too much. Too much rest can weaken your muscles, which can worsen joint pain. Find an exercise program that is safe for your knees and stick with it. If you’re not sure which motions are safe or how much you can do, talk with your doctor or a physical therapist.
Do exercise. Cardio exercises strengthen the muscles that support your knee and increase flexibility. Weight training and stretching do, too. For cardio, some good choices include walking, swimming, water aerobics, stationary cycling, and elliptical machines. Tai chi may also help ease stiffness and improve balance.
Donât risk a fall. A painful or unstable knee can make a fall more likely, which can cause more knee damage. Curb your risk of falling by making sure your home is well lit, using handrails on staircases, and using a sturdy ladder or foot stool if you need to reach something from a high shelf.
Do use “RICE.” Rest, ice, compression, and elevation is good for knee pain caused by a minor injury or an arthritis flare. Give your knee some rest, apply ice to reduce swelling, wear a compressive bandage, and keep your knee elevated.
Don’t overlook your weight. If you’re overweight, losing weight reduces the stress on your knee. You donât even need to get to your “ideal” weight. Smaller changes still make a difference.
When You Feel Knee Pain
If you have knee pain, the thought of stretching might seem unpleasant. However, doing knee stretches when your knees hurt can help you feel better.
The key is to move slowly and gently. Hold each stretch for just a few seconds. If youre doing reps, start with a low number. As your muscles loosen up, you can increase the duration of each stretch.
You should stop if you feel new pain or if your existing pain gets worse. In this case, see a physical therapist for personalized guidance.
In addition to stretching your knees, there are other ways to keep them healthy. This includes:
Stretches For Sore Knees How To Do Guide And Benefits
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Sore knees or occasional pain in the knees can occur due to any reason. It can be sitting for a long time, running out climbing the stairs too fast. The causes of knee pain are many but the solutions are very few. Exercising and medications are the two most effective ways to heal sore knees. For this very reason, I have mentioned the 9 Best Stretches for Sore Knees!
These Stretches will primarily focus on getting your knees more comfortable and a bit mobile. Remember that the reason behind pain in your knees is due to the discomfort in the muscles attached to it. Stretching the muscles will indirectly help in reducing the pain in the knees! So, the question arises which are the muscles attached to the knee?
The Bone of the knee is called the patella to which a variety of muscles are attached. This muscle helps in movements of the legs and hip such as adduction, abduction, flexion, extension, etc.
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Common Causes Of Knee Pain
Your knee is a complex joint, and pain can occur as a result of problems in the knee itself, as well as tightness or weakness in the muscles or inflammation in the tendons surrounding it.
Common causes of knee pain include:
- Knee arthritis pain while bearing weight or in motion, as well as stiffness and pain you feel while moving your knee out of a position it’s been in for an extended period of time
- Tendonitis of the quadricep or patella tendon tenderness or tightness either above the kneecap or below it , which may worsen after prolonged sitting, bending, jumping, or squatting
- Anterior knee pain pain around or under your knee cap that can cause stiffness in the knee when sitting, discomfort after prolonged running or hiking, and sensations of popping, grinding or crunching
- Knee injury sudden onset of pain accompanied by some level of damage to the meniscus or ligaments that cushion and stabilize the knee joint, respectively
“Most types of knee pain can typically be self-managed at home through over-the-counter pain relievers and stretching and strengthening exercises that help improve knee mobility and stability,” says Dr. Brooks.
Improving joint mobility involves daily stretching and flexibility-improving exercises. Improving stability entails strengthening the muscles that help support your knee, including your core muscles, gluteal/hip muscles, quadriceps muscles, hamstring muscles, and calf muscles.
Calf Stretches Can Help Relieve Muscle Cramps
Leg cramps, or Charley horses, are common in people who have overexerted themselves or are kids with growing pains. They usually happen when you are lying down, especially at night. The calf muscles often go into tight, painful spasms that may have you jump out of bed for relief.
Experts say that these cramps can affect you if your electrolytes are low. They recommend a sip of pickle juice to replenish your electrolytes and relieve the cramps. You can also get rid of a painful Charley horse instantly by standing up straight and stretching your calves by raising your toes toward your body.
Regularly stretching your calf muscles can prevent these leg cramps. Usually, they are sporadic and will go away quickly. However, if you have chronic cramps in your calves, you should discuss it with your primary healthcare provider.
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What Causes Knee Pain
Knees top the list of common problem areas for pain, along with the legs, neck, and back, according to James Rippe, MD, a cardiologist and joint pain specialist.
Knee pain can be caused by a variety of factors, like a short-term injury from twisting your knee the wrong way during exercise. It could also be a sign of your joint cartilage wearing away over time from high-impact activities, like running on concrete.
Factors like inactivity, carrying too much body weight, poor posture, improperly treated injuries, and insufficient nourishment can all contribute to knee pain, Rippe says.
And if your pain is interfering with daily activities, youre not alone. About one in four Americans now has severe joint pain related to arthritis, according to the CDC. A 2013 study also reported a 162-percent increase in knee replacements over the last 20 years. Messier SP, et al. . Effects of intensive diet and exercise on knee joint loads, inflammation, and clinical outcomes among overweight and obese adults with knee osteoarthritis: The IDEA randomized clinical trial. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2013.277669
Luckily, by taking better care of your knees throughout your life, starting as early as your twenties, you can strengthen them and potentially save yourself from years of daily pain and discomfort.
More Stretches You Can Try For Better Fitness
Lower right back pain can be hard to shake. Even mild back pain can damper your energy levels and take away your focus at work. If youre experiencing lower right back pain, its time to get to the bottom of your back pain.
Dont write off your pain as simply a bad nights rest. You deserve to know the cause of your lower right back pain and how to relieve it.
Luckily, most cases of lower right back pain are a result of musculoskeletal issues and not an urgent medical crisis. Of course, that doesnt make your back pain any less serious. Whatever the cause, youll need to treat your condition to get better, even if that means self-care remedies that you can easily find at home.
Lower right back pain should be taken seriously: its often a sign that some area of your body is out of balance. And with everything going on in your life, back pain is the last thing you need.
Today, well look at common causes of lower right back pain and how to relieve it. Lets get your back on track, so that you can feel great again.
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Hamstring Curls On A Weight Bench
Muscles involved: Hamstrings and gluteal muscles.
This exercise is a variation of the standing hamstring curl. A person can try this version if they have access to a weight bench that is purpose-built for this exercise. It may be more challenging than the standing hamstring curl, depending on how much weight a person uses.
Why Should Care About Your Calves
Did you know that your calves can absorb nearly 12 times your body weight when you are stopping or changing directions quickly while sprinting? Your calves are responsible for slowing your body during a run. Keeping them toned and healthy helps you avoid injury.
It would help if you also had muscular calves to stabilize your knees and other leg joints. When you are doing jumping exercises, you can get hurt if your knees arent supported properly.
Healthy calves allow you to make quick motions, like sprints, squats, and high jumps. Your primary calf muscle, the gastrocnemius, is made of fast-twitch muscle fibers that make these movements possible. The more you stretch and exercise your calves, the greater your ability to do these power-boosting exercises.
Since both of your gastrocnemius and soleus play a pivotal role in knee and foot movement, it makes sense that any issues with your calf would affect these. Also, you have a thin membrane called fascia that keeps your calf muscles together, and it runs from your upper leg to the base of your foot.
Fascial tension can cause your pain when you walk, stand, or squat and negatively affect other muscles.
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Try These Exercises For Knee Pain Today
Now that you know the eight best exercises for knee pain, its time for you to try them today. Remember to always focus on your form, and if you experience any pain during the exercise, stop immediately.
If these exercises are too hard, or you need more help, please reach out to us today! Weve been helping people alleviate knee pain for years and are no strangers to overcoming pain ourselves. We cant wait to help you live life with less pain as soon as possible!
Stretches That Will Ease Your Knee Pain
If your staple exercises make your pain worse, this exercise physiologist suggests the following stretches to help soothe your sore knees.
The knee is one of the most complex joints in the body, so it’s no wonder pain in that areawhich happens to 1 in 5 of us, according to the American Academy of Pain Medicinecan really set you back. However, while you may be tempted to cite your knee pain as a good reason to take some time off from the gym, it’s actually important to keep moving, says Donna Williams, director of rehabilitation for Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. If your go-to exercises make your pain worse, Williams and Rachel Straub, MS, an exercise physiologist and certified strength and conditioning specialist, suggest the following stretches to help soothe your sore knees.
This article originally appeared onPrevention.
When your calves are tight, it can lead to an inward movement of the knees, says Straub, which can cause pain. Stand on the edge of a curb or step and place your left foot on the ground, keeping the ball of your right foot on the step. Allow the right heel to drop below the step and hold here for 30 seconds, then switch sides. You can also place both feet on the curb, step, or a calf machine and drop both heels at the same time. Just be sure to hold on to something in front of you if you choose this version.
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Perform These Knee Stretches To Help Relieve Knee Pain
As you just discovered, a “knee stretch” may not stretch your knee at all. Instead, stretches for knee pain help loosen the muscles surrounding your knee joint such as your quads, hamstrings, and inner thigh muscles.
As your knee hurts, remember this: Doing one thing will rarely, if ever, cure an injury. To truly rid yourself of knee pain, you will need to take a well-rounded approach to wellness. Strengthening your quads, performing gluteactivation, and doing a proper warm up will take pressure off the knee, and improve the stabilization of the joint.
In addition, switching to low-impact activities , will help your knee joint prevent overuse, giving your knee time to heal. Lastly, revise your recovery routine, foam rolling your quads, hamstrings, and IT bands to relieve knee pain.
To develop a well-rounded fitness routine that helps you prevent future injury, consider signing up for the Premium plan for the Build Bullet-Proof Health program. You’ll get detailed strength, cardio, recovery, and nutrition plans, plus monthly check-ins with me to discuss your progress.
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What Causes It Band Syndrome
An anatomy and physiology lesson seems in order to better understand IT band syndrome.
As you bend and extend your leg, the IT band glides over your upper thigh bone and top of the tibia . Repeating the motion over and over again slowly works to tighten your IT band, explains Krampf.
As the tissue grows more taught, friction develops as it begins to rub over your bony infrastructure. That rubbing leads to irritation and inflammation that can reveal itself as an intense and persistent pain in your knee or hip.
Many include IT band syndrome as a cause of runners knee given how often it slows those who pound out miles. Its also common among cyclists and weight lifters .
Its not just athletes seeking answers for IT band syndrome, though: The injury also has been connected to wearing high heels and even sitting at a desk with your knees bent for hours at a time.
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Stretch For Knee Pain 6 It Band Stretch
Muscles are only one part of the equation.
You also need to keep your IT bandthe ligament stretching along the outside of the thigh, from your hip to the shinloose and when happy.
When its tight, it can lead to knee pain.
Proper Form
Stand upright, with your right leg crossed over your left.
Next, shift your weight into one leg and cross the opposite leg in front.
While raising your left hand overhead, slowly start to lean over to the left until you feel a stretch.
Hold the pose for 30 seconds then, uncross your legs, stand up straight again, and repeat on the other side.
What Else Can Help With Knee Pain
Finding relief from knee pain depends on the cause or issue thats making it difficult for you to go about your daily activities. Carrying excess weight puts extra stress on your knees, which may lead to osteoarthritis.
In this case, the most effective treatment, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is weight loss. Your doctor may recommend a combination of diet and exercise to help you lose weight and strengthen the muscles in your lower body, especially around your knees.
A 2013 study found that adults with overweight and knee osteoarthritis experienced a reduction in weight and knee pain after 18 months of a diet and exercise program.
But if overuse is the culprit, your doctor will likely suggest RICE which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation and physical therapy. A physical therapist can work with you to develop a program that includes range of motion exercises, stretches, and muscle strengthening movements.
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Stretch For Knee Pain 4 Hip Flexors Stretch
The hip flexors, combined with the chair lifestyle and running, can get really tight.
When your hips get too tight, your body will overwork the quads, which places a lot of pressure on your knees.
Proper Form
Start by kneeling your right knee on the ground and your left leg at a 90-degree angle in front of you.
While keeping your back flat, put your hands on your right knee, then lean into your right leg to feel your hips open up.
While keeping your right knee pressed to the floor, lean forward into your left hip while engaging the muscles in your left buttocks.
Hold the stretch for 30 seconds, then switch.
Exercises To Help Relieve Patellar Tendonitis Or Quadriceps Tendonitis
Another very common type of knee pain occurs when the tendons that are connected to your kneecap become inflamed . Patellar tendonitis, also called “jumper’s knee,” results in pain at the base of your kneecap, while quadriceps tendonitis results in pain at the top of your kneecap.
The patellar and quadriceps tendons help straighten your kneecap as you extend your leg. When used repetitively or when placed under excess pressure as a result of weak hamstring and/or quadriceps muscles, painful inflammation of the tendons can result.
To help relieve knee pain caused by tendonitis, focus on gently stretching and strengthening your hamstring and quadriceps muscles.
“With knee-related tendonitis, resisted knee extension exercises should be avoided, since this movement applies stress to the quadriceps and patellar tendons, as well as the kneecap,” explains Dr. Brooks. “In addition, cycling may cause pain, since the constant bending repetitively stretches your already inflamed tendon.”
Instead, Dr. Brooks recommends the elliptical as a great way to maintain your fitness without worsening your knee tendonitis pain. An elliptical machine keeps your knee in a neutral position, reducing the amount of tension placed on these tendons.
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