Exercises and workouts - four common causes of knee pain

Exercises and workouts - four common causes of knee pain

Painful knees are by far one of the most aggravating conditions for anyone serious about their fitness pursuits. Even if you're just a weekend warrior, being laid low by knee pain is never fun. But still it happens again and again.

Understanding the most common causes of knee pain can help you avoid these problems in the future. Let's take a closer look...

1. Improper footrest.The first problem that most likely causes knee pain for many is improper foot support. This can now be done by…

• the footwear is not suitable for the activity or

• new shoes, or

• it can come from the mistake of not getting custom orthotics when you need them.

If you suffer from chronic knee pain and know that you have high arches, it may be time to get some extra support. Custom-made bandages are your best defense against knee pain.

2. Tense muscles across the board.Another common cause of knee pain is very tight muscles across the board, i.e. h. tight muscles in the thighs or hamstrings. When these muscles are tight, they are much more likely to pull on the tendons and ligaments attached in and around the knee joint. This, in turn, causes pain that does not subside until these muscles are relaxed.

One reason why foam rolling is important after every workout session is that foam rolling helps keep these muscles looser, which in turn helps you avoid pain.

3. Overuse injuries. Overuse injuries are among the most common injuries among active people and are a contributing cause of many knee injuries. Whether it's too much too soon or you haven't paid enough attention to getting the rest your body needs, overuse injuries weaken the tissues and ultimately lead to poor knee health and discomfort.

The best thing you can do here is rest - and plan your program better next time so you get the rest and relaxation you need.

4. Incorrect alignment.Finally, the final common cause of knee pain to consider is misalignment. Consider whether you may not be allowing your knee to adequately slide over your toes. When your toes move inward or outward from the knee joint, it can place sheer force on your knee ligament and lead to unwanted pain.

There you have four main reasons why your knees may hurt and what you can do to reverse the problem. There's no question that knee pain is debilitating, but with the right approach you can probably get past it.

Inspired by Beverleigh H Piepers