When joint pain begins to creep into your life, cutting exercise out of your daily routine may feel like the best option. Avoiding exercise, however, can make your joint pain worse. Working low-impact exercises into your day can work the muscles and tendons that provide stability and strength around the joint. Incorporating these low-impact cardio exercises into your daily routine is a great way to keep your heart, lungs, and joints healthy.
- Swimming: This is a great exercise that provides a way to burn calories while staying low-impact for your knees. Not only is it great cardio, but it also works out every major muscle group in your body. If you’re looking for a simple exercise and suffer from knee pain, it’s time to visit the swimming pool and get in some laps.
- Elliptical: The low-impact nature of the elliptical trainer makes it ideal for people with joint pain. It’s a great way to get your heart rate up without putting too much stress on your knees, hips, and ankles. Start slow when you’re working up to adding resistance while on the elliptical.
- Cycling: Whether you enjoy spending time outside or on a stationary bike inside, cycling is a way to get some exercise that’s easy on your joints, especially your knees. Cycling will also improve the strength and flexibility in your knees over time, which can help to decrease your risk of further injury in the future. When you start cycling, try to avoid hills and begin with a low resistance level. Slowly work up to more resistance and hills once your body is conditioned to this type of exercise.
- Yoga: Yoga is not only low-impact, but it’s also a great way to focus on your breathing and increase flexibility. If you suffer from joint pain, yoga can help to improve your range of motion and reduce stiffness.
- Stepping: This type of exercise involves using a mobile step that can be altered to reach certain heights. Step up onto the step with your right foot. Tap your left foot on the top of the step, then lower and repeat. Make sure that your knee is directly over your ankle to protect your knees. If you have your own step, you can try this at home. If you do not own a step, most gyms have them and even offer stepping classes. This type of exercise is great cardio and will be easy on your knees, as long as you have proper form.
If you’re unable to go through your day without joint pain, it’s time to see someone who can help. Dr. Nelson specializes in joint pain diagnosis and treatment. He can help you determine the best course of action so that pain isn’t a daily occurrence and you can get back to your active life.
To schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 435-774-8511.
Recent Comments