Stretching For Arthritic Knees May Help Mobility
Whether caused by age or injury, arthritis in the knees can be a troubling and painful condition. For many, the thought of stretching for arthritic knees may seem to be out of the question, but it is important to help maintain mobility. Trying to do too much too soon will undoubtedly result in pain in the knees and expert recommend low-impact stretching for arthritic knees until the muscle surrounding the knees can help provide the strength to reduce the pain associated with any activity.
While exercising and stretching for arthritic knees probably will not ease all of the associated pain, it can be useful to reduce the chance of permanent damage to the knees. One of the most simple exercise to help build leg muscles that ease the stress from the knees as a simple toe lift. Standing in an upright position and the back straight, bend the knees until the legs are near a 30-degree angle to the floor. From this position, raise the body up using only the toes until the heels start to come of the ground. Lower the feet back down and then stand straight up.
As with all exercises, especially when stretching for arthritic knees persons should talk to their doctors and discuss whether this type of exercise program will help them or cause additional problems. With arthritis, surgery may be required before exercising, depending on the extent of the cartilage damage.
Lower Extremity Strength Takes Strain Off Knees
Some of the more popular exercises used in stretching for arthritic knees include the calf and hamstring stretches. Starting in an upright position, with both feet flat on the floor and one in front and one behind, slowly bending the knee of the front leg will stretch the calf muscles of the back leg. When the heel of the back foot leaves the ground, return to an upright position.
After three of four repetitions, switch legs and practice the stretching for arthritic knees with the other leg, again three or four times. Each time both legs have been stretched, is considered a repetition and this stretching for arthritic knees exercise should be done for three repetitions daily. If at any time the pain in the knees becomes too great, stop.
The idea of stretching for arthritic knees is to help the leg and stomach muscles that provide strength to the knees. Stronger muscles holding the knees upright as well as on the sides will help take some of the pressure from the knees as well as the pain.
