Bad Knees While Exercising? – Treatment Options

Bad Knees While Exercising? – Treatment Options

How are your knees when you run? All across the United States, people run and have fun doing it. It is a great sport when you are healthy. The problem is that when you are not feeling so hot, running can be a real chore. One of the most common problems that people suffer from is pain in their knees. Regardless of your age, this pain can become one of your constant companions. – Can you relate? What Contributes to Bad Knees from Running? There are several factors that may lead to bad knee pain when you run, these may include: 1.) Not enough time spent on warm ups and cool downs 2.) Debris in the running path 3.) Basic mistakes brought on by inexperience 4.) Inadequate knee support 5.) Pre existing genetic issues These five factors are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg but each are just as likely to be a cause or be a contributing factor of knee pain while running. Each of the 1st four factors are preventable, while the last may need medical attention. The Importance of a Good Running Mentor Inexperienced runners should enlist the assistance of someone who has \’been there\’ so as to avoid making the common mistakes that so many have already made before them. This will no doubt include the incorporation of a proper and complete warm up and cool down routine before and after each run as well as wearing a proper knee brace for adequate knee support. Just as important is learning to be keenly aware of the path ahead so as to avoid potential hazards such as pot holes and debris in the road way. An experienced running mentor has probably already dealt with bad knees from running – maybe they still do – and may be able to suggest exercises or even an appropriate knee brace that will help to alleviate the stress and strains that occur while you are training. If you do opt to wear a knee brace it is important to make sure that it is fitted properly and that you are wearing it correctly. To do otherwise is to risk further, more severe damage to your knees. Remember that bad knee pain should also be evaluated by a medical professional. Knee braces can be extremely effective, but you should also heed the advice your physician provides. Torn ligaments, fractures and even torn cartilage or meniscus can lead to a lifetime of knee problems and seeing your doctor is the only way to know for certain if your bad knees from running may have been caused by these or by a pre existing genetic issue. Bad knees from running are so common that a lot of people just ignore the issue thinking it will simply go away with time. Unfortunately, this can develop into a more painful situation, and lead to permanent knee damage. If you have tried a day of rest, over the counter pain relievers and ice packs and the pain does not lessen, you really should seek professional advice and consider the use of a low profile knee support for extra support.