Whether you love to run marathons, like to get your dance on a few times a week, or just prefer to take it easy most of the time, you could be at risk for a knee injury.
However, by following a few basic tips, it’s possible to avoid needing knee injury treatment in College Park and stay healthy for years to come.
Here’s what to do to keep your knees stable and pain-free:
Maintain a Healthy Weight
The healthy weight for your height and frame is the healthy weight for your knees. Even losing just a few pounds can reduce daily stress on your knees.
Wear Well-Fitting Shoes and Maintain Good Posture
How you carry yourself has an effect on how much stress you put on your knees. Maintaining good posture and wearing low-heeled shoes that fit well will minimize knee stress.
Warm Up
Starting a workout without warming up means your muscles start out stiff, making injury more likely. Stretch before working out and start slowly to give your muscles a chance to loosen up.
Don’t Suddenly Increase Workout Intensity
Abruptly increasing the intensity of your workout puts a lot of strain on your unprepared muscles and joints. A slow progression of power will allow time for your body to be ready to take it to the next level.
Swim or Walk
Low impact activities like walking and swimming are gentle on joints but still offer immense health benefits. Swimming or water aerobics are particularly good options for individuals with pre-existing joint issues.
Keep Active
Staying active helps to maintain a healthy weight, which reduces strain on your knees, but it also maintains joint strength and flexibility. Staying active in general goes a long way toward preventing joint injuries of all kinds.
Maintain a Well Balanced Diet
A healthy diet, including healthy fats and plenty of vitamins and minerals, helps to keep your body functioning at its very best. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water, as this will help maintain the cartilage in your joints nice and pliable and reducing the risk of injury.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Getting enough sleep not only keeps you healthier overall but skimping on sleep makes you less alert and more prone to accidents and injuries. Aim for about 8 hours per night to ensure your mind is alert, and your body is rested.
Work With Dr. or Physical Therapist if Injury is Pre-existing
If you have already suffered a knee injury, or are experiencing pain and stiffness, contact a doctor or physical therapist to discuss possible treatment and rehabilitation options. A medical professional can advise an exercise routine that will safely strengthen your knee to prevent future injury.