How to Keep Your Knees Healthy
By Sara Butler
When you think of chiropractic care, your mind may go directly to issues with the neck and back. As the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic can tell you, back and neck conditions are just the tip of the iceberg of what they treat. The truth is that chiropractors are interested in the health of every joint in your body. As you get older or if you participate in high impact exercise, then you may notice some of your joints aren't as resilient as they used to be -- joints like your knees! Here are a few tips from the chiropractors at The Joint to help you keep your knees healthy.
Tip No. 1: Never Ignore Pain
If you are having pain in one or both knees, then you should try to take it easy for a few days. You may need to put RICE on it -- rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). If the pain still persists after a few days of taking it easy and some RICE treatment, then make sure to speak with your chiropractor as soon as you can.
Just be warned that you shouldn't rest too much. As a part of the rest regimen, you still need to keep your joints moving. When you rest, try to do some low-impact activity to keep the muscles strong and the joints flexible.
Tip No. 2: Build Strength
The muscles in your leg that help to support your knees should be strong. If they are, then this helps to take some of the stress and strain off the knee joint. Pay attention to the strength of your hamstrings, glutes, lower back muscle, and quadriceps. If you need some exercise tips to target these particular muscles, then speak to the chiropractors at The Joint today.
Tip No. 3: Sustain a Healthy Weight
If you want to be kind to your joints, especially the joints in your hips and legs, then you need to maintain a healthy weight. This helps to take added stress and strain off your joints -- and keep them healthy -- that extra pounds can add. If you need help with a diet and exercise plan to help you accomplish this, then the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic can help.
Tip No. 4: Wear Good Shoes
Your shoes can make all the difference when it comes to the health of your knee joints. Make sure to find shoes with a low heel that fits well and has proper support. When shoes wear out, replace them as needed because footwear that's past its prime can impact your balance and your gait, which can then cause injury.
Your knees are depending on you to help keep them healthy, so make sure to let your chiropractor help you keep them at their best!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Houston, Tex.