The Best And Worst Exercises For Bad Knees
Exercise may be the best medicine for chronic achy knees. "Strengthening the muscles around the joint protects you from injury by decreasing stress on the knee," says Willibald Nagler, MD, chairman of rehabilitation medicine at the New York Hospital–Cornell Medical Center in New York City.
There are a few straightforward rules that can help you when you exercise to strengthen your knees:
- You must use good form and technique
- If any exercise causes pain, stop doing it
- Keep your back straight when squatting
- Use weights that you can lift easily
- Be sure to never bend your legs to a point where your knees stick out past your toes
- Unless you are exercising single legs, try to keep the weight equal between both
- Low impact exercise, such as swimming, can help if walking is too painful
- If you are unsure seek the advice of a healthcare professional
