Running With Bad Knees: 3 Essential Steps to Take
Whether you are an athlete or you just love to run, you can experience severe to mild pain in one or both knees when running. When such pains start showing, you might need to take caution to prevent further damage. The pain in the knee may be due to an injury sustained when young or muscle imbalance in the knee cap. The pain likely increases the more you run. Here are some crucial steps to take when your knee starts showing discomfort.
Find the Right Shoes
If you are experiencing mild running knee pain, you can first try finding better running shoes. You can have them customized for a perfect fit. Ensure your shoes are comfortable and light. Also, ensure that the shoe has a relaxed sole to cushion your feet from the overall impact of running. An imbalanced shoe can cause a change in muscle rhythm, resulting in discomfort in the knee area.
Consider Training and Medication
According to the National Medicine Library of the U.S., at least six million adults find it difficult to walk comfortably for a quarter of a mile. In most cases, the knee aches are due to muscle imbalance around the knee cap. This imbalance causes strain on one side of the knee cap, resulting in running knee pain. You can treat muscle unevenness with guided exercise sessions. These sessions will gradually restore the knee muscles and strengthen the knee cap. Also, when participating in these exercises, remember to do a minimum session each day to reduce the straining of the knee even further. It’s essential to seek medical guidance before starting your exercise routine to ensure that you don’t inexplicitly injure yourself. If it’s just a muscle problem with the knee, your physician may recommend pain relievers.
Improve Your Running Posture
When running, ensure that your knees, ankles, and hips are moving in synchronization. With the help of your coach, you can achieve a better running posture to prevent hurting your knee. Always assume a straight shoulder position, and keep your arms to the side and your feet on the ground to avoid bouncing. The energy used when bouncing will cause a reaction force that may hurt your knee.
To ease your running knee pain, be sure to visit your doctor. If you suffer from muscle imbalance in the knee cap, you can start with muscle-building exercises and practice using a proper walking or running posture. If you have discovered that your knee is painful as you walk or run, contact Southcoast Medical today the relief you deserve.
