Due to the amount of weight they need to support and abuse they have to put up with, your knees are prone to ending up swollen, stiff and painful. Popping painkillers in your mouth is not always the perfect solution due to the slew of side effects they tend to bring, especially when taken for extended periods of time.
Overusing as well as infrequently using your knees can bring about pain and swelling. As you age, your risk of suffering from a knee problem is increased. Indeed, using your knees requires a lot of caution to keep it in tip-top shape!
If your knees are constantly bugging you, fret not because you’re certainly not alone. It is estimated that almost 50 million people in the US are troubled by faulty knees. By opting for a healthy diet and shedding off excess pounds, it’s possible to keep knee-related problems at bay. It’s also a great idea to perform certain exercises that zoom in on the muscles surrounding the knees, strengthening your knees and make them less susceptible to problems.
Here are some of the best exercises for pain-free knees:
Knee Flexion While Seated on a Chair
This knee exercise is performed while you are sitting on a chair. Start by looping a piece of rope or a long towel under your left foot. Grab and pull on the rope or towel with your hands, raising your foot a couple of inches off the floor. Hold it for about 10 seconds, then release. Perform the same on your right foot. Both feet should be exercised 5 times.
Extending the Knees
For this particular exercise, you need a pair of chairs. Sit on one and position the other right in front of you. Prop up one leg on this, with your knees slightly bent. Straighten your leg while keeping your foot on the other chair. Maintain for 10 seconds, and then go back to the starting position. Repeat 4 more times. Do everything on your other leg.
Chair Raises with Straight Legs
This exercise also requires you to use a couple of chairs. Sit on one chair and place one of your feet on the other, with your legs straight but without locking your knee. Carefully lift your leg an inch or two off the chair. Hold it for about 5 seconds, and then go back to starting position. Repeat 5 to 10 times. Do the same on the other leg.
Bent-Knees Chair Raises
While seated on a chair, straighten one of your legs in front of you. Remember not to lock your knee. Carefully, bend your leg until your foot is just an inch or two from the floor. Maintain it for about 30 seconds, and then go back to the starting position. Each of your leg should be exercised 4 times.
Knee Extension by Sliding Your Heel
You need to lie on your back on the floor to perform this knee-strengthening exercise. Bend your left knee and plant your left foot on the ground. Slowly, slide your foot until your left leg is straight. Relax for a second and slide back your foot once again to go back to the starting position. Repeat on the right leg. Each of your legs should be exercised 5 times.
Sliding Down the Wall
This exercise is done while your back is leaning against a wall. To get started, slowly slide your back down the wall until your knees are bent at about 30 degrees or when your knees are right above your toes, then slide back up the wall to straighten your legs. Place your hands on the wall to help stabilize your body, and keep your legs together for best results. Perform a total of 5 to 10 repetitions.
