• 4 years ago
Exercises to Help Relieve Knee Pain Part 1

Whether you’re a competitive athlete, a weekend warrior, or a daily walker, dealing with knee pain can put a kink in your favorite activities.

Knee pain is a common issue. In fact, according to the Cleveland Clinic, 18 million people see a doctor for knee pain each year. This includes pain caused by:
overuse
osteoarthritis
tendinitis
bursitis
meniscus tears
sprained knee ligaments

The good news is there are several ways to treat knee pain, including stretching and strengthening exercises that you can do on your own.

In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the most effective exercises you can do to strengthen your knee and reduce knee pain.
Exercise and knee pain
If your knee pain is due to an injury, surgery, or arthritis, gentle stretching and strengthening exercises may help ease the pain while also improving your flexibility and range of motion.

Exercising a knee that’s injured or arthritic may seem counterintuitive, but in fact, exercise is better for your knee than keeping it still. Not moving your knee can cause it to stiffen, and this may worsen the pain and make it harder to go about your daily activities.

Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises can strengthen the muscles that support your knee joint. Having stronger muscles can reduce the impact and stress on your knee, and help your knee joint move more easily.

Before you start an exercise program for knee pain, be sure to talk to your doctor or physical therapist to make sure the exercises are safe for you. Depending on your situation, they may recommend some modifications.
Stretching exercises
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, performing lower body stretching exercises may help improve the range of motion and flexibility in your knee joint. This can make it easier to move your knee.

Before you start stretching, it’s important to spend at least 5 to 10 minutes warming up. Low-impact activities like cycling on a stationary bike, walking, or using an elliptical machine are good warmup options.

Once you’re warmed up, do the following three stretches, and then repeat them once you’ve completed the knee strengthening exercises.

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