This time of year, we see more people suffering from knee pain. The reason why? Getting ready for Summer, people decide to become more active and take up activities such as running or walking for longer distances.
Even if they’re used to running or walking long distances, people tend to get what we call “runner’s knee”. This condition got its nickname for an obvious and rather unfortunate reason. It’s most common amongst runners. Even those who are new to running.

After a while, the stress of running can cause irritation around the knee. The resulting pain can be sharp and sudden or irritating and dull. Sometimes the pain can disappear while running only to return again later.

The pain from runner’s knee can generally feel worse when performing activities that bend the knee such as walking or running downhill or even walking down a flight of stairs. This is because your knee cap repeatedly rubs against your thigh muscle which becomes sore after time.

If you’re not used to running or haven’t slowly built up a tolerance, then running will be a shock to your knees. Also, if the muscles around your knees are weak and tight, they will not be able to support you through a run. Without strong muscles to support your knee joints, you are more likely to suffer from aches and pains.

The solution to runner’s knee is as simple as strengthening your knee muscles as well as your hips and lower back. Performing the right type of exercises and stretches to strengthen the right muscles will mean your knees will be strong enough to walk or run for longer resulting in less pain.

Building a strong foundation first will set you up for success later.  Want more information on how to ease that knee pain?  Check out this report we built, touching on the top FIVE ways to ease knee pain