When it comes to weight, “lightening up” has benefits for knee pain. Knee pain is a common kind of joint pain, resulting from a variety of causes. These range from overuse and repeated movements by athletes to chronic illnesses such as arthritis. Research shows that, when it comes to your knees, what you weigh matters.
Obesity is one of the most important factors for osteoarthritis of the knee. Losing just a few pounds can make a big difference. In fact, a 2005 study among overweight and obese people with knee arthritis found that every pound lost resulted in a four-pound reduction in knee joint stress.
A 1988 study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicated that obese women had a nearly four times greater risk of knee osteoarthritis than did non-obese women; the risk was nearly five times greater for obese men than for non-obese men. But it is critically important to lose weight properly without risking injury. That is why physical therapy is crucial. Many people associate physical therapy with injury rehabilitation, but that describes only part of what we do. We work with people to help them develop and regain movement and function. We also focus on psychological and emotional well-being, particularly important in creating an effective weight loss plan to reduce knee strain. With excess weight adding strain to body joints, exercising for weight loss should not add extra impact to your knees. We will work with you to design a nutrition and exercise program that ts your lifestyle and your needs. If you belong to a gym, we will guide you through the best exercises to help you lose weight safely and keep it off . Water aerobics can be an excellent choice, because it does not add further strain to your knees. Another good exercise to try is the elliptical trainer or cycling, and weight training equipment can be useful for the hips and thighs. Resistance bands help you gain strength while increasing muscle mass, which helps you lose weight. And they can be used in the privacy and comfort of your own home. Although studies have not yet proven that weight loss can slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis, some studies have suggested that weight loss can relieve some of the pain associated with this condition. Just a few pounds lost can relieve significant knee pressure and stress. With our professional guidance, you can achieve weight loss for healthy knees and prevent the pounds from creeping back.
Did you know you have Direct Access* to Physical Therapy? No referral, no problem!
*Some restrictions apply.
