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Fitness Articles  ›  Special Concerns

11 Exercises that Help Decrease Knee Pain

Need Pain-Free Knees? Start Here!

-- By Jen Mueller, Certified Personal Trainer
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Always check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. These exercises are designed to help, not hurt. If you experience pain at any time during the exercise, stop. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong.

BONUS TIP: If you have increased soreness after doing these exercises, it may help to ice your knee or knees for 10 - 20 minutes. Place a bag of ice (or frozen vegetables) over the joint, with a towel between to protect the skin. Elevate your leg on a chair if ice alone is inadequate.
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About The Author

Jen Mueller Jen Mueller
Jen received her master's degree in health promotion and education from the University of Cincinnati. A mom and avid marathon runner, she is a certified personal trainer, certified health coach and advanced health & fitness specialist. See all of Jen's articles.

Member Comments

  • BAILEYBRIGADE
    These are a lot of great exercises. Thanks. I think it also helps to be able to see the exercise instead of just reading about it. Here's a great video that also demonstrates a few of these exercises: http://youtu.be/Q
    v9XGskry4M - 3/21/2013 9:13:36 PM
  • Many of these were part of my physical therapy after my knee surgery - 1/18/2013 1:04:58 PM
  • Simple , easy exercises that work-Thank you! - 1/13/2013 5:27:16 PM
  • FLATFEET2
    When researching knee pain I found an interesting video on how foot alignment can affect the knees. http://www.youtub
    e.com/watch?f
    eature=player
    _embedded&v=qYLMO7jObug

    This led me to do further research and I was able to find the website with all kinds of information on how fixing the problem in my feet can help my knees. http://hyprocure.
    com/what-is-t
    alotarsal-dis
    location/symp
    toms-secondar
    y-conditions/
    common-second
    ary-conditions/knee-pain/ - 12/13/2012 3:26:49 PM
  • BOB1002
    Invalids and seniors can benefit greatly from exercises that strengthen the knees. This is because they tend to remain immobile for long periods of time. When the body remains inactive for long periods of time it loses its balance, flexibility and strength. Gaining muscles in the body can take quite some time but losing them occurs much faster than most people realize. Simple knee strengthening exercise can greatly improve the flexibility of the knees for these two groups of people.

    Knee Strengthening Exercises
    http://www.squi
    doo.com/knee-
    strengthening
    -exercises2

    Anatomy of The Knee
    http://www.squi
    doo.com/anato
    my-of-a-knee - 9/4/2012 8:26:17 AM
  • Very good article I have been doing the recommended exercises and stretches for about a month now and it really helps. - 8/29/2012 2:01:55 PM
  • BOB1002
    I do knee strengthening exercises from this site http://www.squido
    o.com/knee-st
    rengthening-e
    xercises2.

    Very important is that we do all exercises very slowly...

    Bob - 8/7/2012 11:25:53 AM
  • I agree with the comments about this is a great article but pictures to show how it's done would make it even better. Thank you.
    - 5/26/2012 12:18:18 PM
  • Good article.
    I had the same issue as others where the Celebrex ad blocked the content. When you create your webpages, do you take into account the way different browsers and screen sizes show the page? - 5/3/2012 10:49:54 AM
  • I cannot read this article. Half of it is covered up by a Celebrex ad that has no place to close the ad so the article can be read. - 5/2/2012 6:11:28 PM
  • I think I have to add these to my routine possibly as I keep waking up to a SORE LEFT knee. Any Ideas?? It stops hurting but it clicks sometimes. - 3/24/2012 11:40:09 PM
  • I see there was an error in my comment so will post it here again.

    I would like a way to link these exercises (with demo) to my fitness programme so I can track them. - 2/21/2012 7:11:21 AM
  • I'd like a way to lind theke exercises to my workout schedule. Thanks. - 2/21/2012 7:07:58 AM
  • MAGGIEMED1
    I'm diabetic with weak legs and these are the same exercise my visiting nurse gives me,and it really works now I climb a three foot ladder. - 2/20/2012 11:51:54 PM
  • TOMQUIRK
    good exercises to do except for the step up. If your knees are bad you shouldn't be stepping 24 inches up and down. Especially if you have cartilage issues. My last scope was the result of stepping down off a 12 inch step. Spent six months doing rehab and still wear a brace on that knee. - 2/20/2012 2:20:17 PM
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