How to Stay a Step Ahead of Knee Pain
By Sandy Schroeder
Little twinges of knee pain are easy to ignore, but ongoing severe pain is not. Most of us give little thought to the critical role of the knee until we start to lose its support. As the largest joint in the human body, the knees have a critical job. They need to be flexible enough to allow us to sit, stand and walk, but strong and stable enough to support our whole body weight.
Usually that process works just fine. The trick is to stay active and limber, which most of us do. If you are having painful twinges, or just want to make sure you are keeping your knees healthy, stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you to find out more. The Joint’s doctors of chiropractic can assess your knees and help you take steps to protect them.
How Knee Pain Develops
Over time, arthritis and extra weight can create strong knee pain. Each pound of weight actually exerts four pounds of pressure on the knee every time we move. When pain occurs, it’s tempting to sit more and move less. Then the flow of synovial fluid that supplies nutrients to the knee is reduced. The only way the knee can get those valuable nutrients is through movement.
As pain increases and movement slows, a vicious cycle can evolve with the loss of shock-absorbing cartilage, and increasing stiffness and soreness.
As you work with your chiropractor, you will learn more about these key steps to keep your knees limber.
Lose Weight and Stay Active
Staying trim to reduce the pressure on your knees is one of the most important steps you can make. Staying active to stay limber is equally important. Protect your joints with swimming, walking, stretching, stationary bikes and low-key classes such as tai chi.
Safeguard the Knees
Avoid slouching. Poor posture can impact your neck, knees and hips. Learn how to lift safely, never bending from the waist, and using the legs to power the lift. Keep totes as light as possible, and distribute weight between both shoulders.
If this sounds like a resource that you can use, stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you to find out more. Affordable healthcare plans eliminate the need for insurance. Weekend and evening hours make visits convenient, and walk-in visits are welcome. No appointments are needed.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.