Physical therapy exercises have become a fairly common method of treating a variety of conditions, ranging from the aftermath of a stroke to vertigo. However, one of the most common applications is physical therapy for knee pain, and for good reason: while this problem may seem innocuous, knee pain from arthritis is reportedly the single greatest cause of chronic disability among adults age 65 and older. Fortunately, studies show that exercise physical therapy for knee pain can be just as effective as surgery. With the right physical therapy programs and exercises, it may therefore be possible for you to kiss your knee pain goodbye. Whether you’re currently seeking physical therapy or not, consider adding these exercises to your regiment to promote the healthy function of this important feature.

Strengthen Your Butt
While numerous pop songs extol the virtues of this body part, none seem to mention the effect it can have on a person’s knees. However, research shows that numerous knee injuries are caused when large hip muscles are weak. For example, when the main muscle in your butt, the gluteus maximus, is feeble, it causes the pelvis to drop and the upper thigh bone, or femur, to drop inward. This puts painful stress on the hips, knees, and ankles with every step. As a result, people of all ages should try hip extensions, which can be preformed from both sitting and standing positions.

Stretch Your Knees
Our weak rear muscles are largely caused by sitting all day, a problem which also causes our hamstrings and hip abductors to overwork. This puts compressive force on your knee joint, which only puts further stress on this joint. As a result, while you work to strengthen muscles like the gluteus maximus, you should also make sure you should stretch your inner thighs to prevent tightness and muscle imbalances.

Tone Your Core
Healthy core muscles are a good thing to have for a number of reasons, including a reduced chance of knee pain. By strengthening your core with abdominal exercises, you can help keep your spine in a neutral position and keep your lower limbs in the best position for movement without joint compression.

There are several other tips you can follow to keep your knee pain in check, including maintaining a healthy weight and taking care of your feet by wearing supportive shoes. However, if you are having difficulty strengthening the right muscles and managing your pain, it may be time to start physical therapy for knee pain. This treatment is now being offered at urgent care clinics, as well as other outpatient facilities: consider scheduling a visit today to learn how to best strengthen your knees and related muscles.