Your knee joints are the largest in your body. A complex network of bones, ligaments, and other soft tissue structures, they make it possible for you to walk, skip, run, jump and more. It’s this frequent use and complex structure that puts your knees at risk for injury. The good news is that there are several things you can do to avoid knee joint pain.
1.Create a well-rounded routine
Nothing puts more pressure on your knees than a one-dimensional workout routine that stresses your joints in the same way over and over again. You can avoid hurting your knees with a well-rounded fitness approach and adequate recovery time after your workout. Also, watch your posture — poor posture can increase the strain on your knees and other areas of your body.
2.Take time for a warmup
Regardless of what exercise you prefer, it’s important to start with warm-ups and easy stretches to prep your muscles and joints for more intense movements. Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds, remembering to breathe. Exercising with stiff muscles can cause knee pain or worsen existing conditions.
3.Check your gear
Before you hop on the treadmill or head into your next cardio dance class, take a good look at your favourite pair of workout shoes. Are they comfortable and supportive? Or are they too loose or too tight or just worn out and past their prime? Wearing the wrong shoes can throw your knees out of alignment and increase the risk of knee pain. Reach for shoes that are designed to fit your sport.
4.Work with and not against your body
If there’s nothing you like more than to crank up the resistance during your indoor cycling class, it’s time to take a step back and consider how your favourite workout may be affecting your knees. If jogging or aggressive sports are already triggering knee pain, consider more knee-friendly activities, like riding a bicycle or swimming. These activities get your heart pumping without overstressing your knee joints.
5.Help your knees feel better
If you feel even a minor knee twinge during your activity, don’t ignore it. It takes time for the results of your exercises to show. So take your time to build up your strength and flexibility before pushing on to the next level.
Finally, if you’ve previously experienced a knee injury, you need to be even more vigilant in protecting your knees during exercise. Love your knees as they are going to be part of your life for a long time. Home knee pain remedies are good for the moment, but if you are looking for something that strengthens your joints and keeps pain at bay, try out Curegarden’s Joint Rescue. It provides long-lasting knee-pain relief, greater joint flexibility, reduces muscle stiffness while also giving cartilage support.
