Coping with Arthritic Knee Stress

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Easy Ways to Ease Up on Your Knees

Your knee joint is the largest weight-bearing joint in your body. Given its

crucial role in supporting your weight, it's no wonder that pain in this joint

can make daily life difficult.

If you have knee osteoarthritis, you don't have to surrender to knee pain.

Taking stress and pressure off your knees by redistributing the weight-bearing

load can help. Here are 5 easy ways to do this:

1. Shift Your Weight

Holding one position for too long can make knees feel stiff. Shift,

stretch, and alter your position when sitting or standing for long periods.

Assume positions that give your knees a rest whenever possible. 2. Choose the

Right Exercises

Exercise is good for arthritic joints, but the wrong exercises could make joint

pain worse. Try low-impact exercises, such as swimming, biking, or tai chi, and

remember to strengthen muscles around the joint with resistance training, too.

3. Give Yourself a Hand

Assistive devices are a great way to take the strain off joints. Low step

stools, grab bars, pickup tongs, canes, and knee braces can help you perform

tasks without extending beyond your range.

4. Chill Out

Stress can exacerbate any medical condition. Controlled breathing exercises,

meditation, time with friends, and journaling are all great ways to mitigate the

physical effects of stress.

5. Use Proper Form

Good posture and proper form can help protect joints. Evenly distribute weight

on both feet when standing. Keep both feet on the floor when sitting, adjust

desk chairs higher to make getting in and out easier, and make sure workstations

are the proper height.

Exercising, controlling your weight, eating a healthy diet, and following your

doctor's medication and treatment plan are the mainstays of keeping your knees

healthy. If your knee pain interferes with daily activities, talk to your

healthcare provider about your treatment options.

Taken from www.realage.com

(Beautiful Southern Oregon, USA)

We may not be able to change the direction of the wind, but we can adjust our

sails.

May you have enough happiness to make you kind, enough trials to make you

strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.

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