Oh my aching KNEES!

Ok, So I work out at the gym, on a treadmill, eliptical, tae bo...etc. Anyway, my knees are killing me! Anyone have any advice on what to do? I ice them and try to give them a day or two off, but sheesh...some days they kill! Can anyone relate?!

Have you been to the doctor about it?

I have tendonitis in both legs! So I can definitely relate. I can't run or do spin class any more without pain. But I have found wearing a compression band around your knee really seems to help! Ace makes one that is just an elastic band that fits over your knee. It really makes a difference for me!

Good luck!

---Neelia

I have been to the Dr. and he just told me to ice them and slow down. Anyone could have told me that! lol.

I've been using a knee brace on my right knee (much worse than the left)but it really doesn't seem to be helping much. It's an adjustable one...maybe I should get a different one. Thanks for your advice! I really appreciate it.

BTW...do you know how the burn meter works? I'm so confused by it! lol.

THANKS!

That's exactly how I felt when I went to the doctor! Ha! He didn't even suggest the knee brace, I just know RICE  from first aid/nursing school and figured some compression would help. I have a hard time with the resting, ice and elevation. Oops!

I was trying to find you a link to the ones I have, but I can't yet. I'll keep looking and let you know if I do. They aren't a brace, just tight elastic bands that fit over your whole knee.

The burn meter shows you how many calories a day you should burn by just your normal activities based on how you rated your physical activity. That way you know that if you are really active and walking around more at your job, at home or whatever one day, you can eat a little more because you are burning more calories that day. And on other days, you should eat a little tiny bit less so you don't consume more calories than what you burn. But from what you've said, you are eating a certain number of calories a day to lose weight, not maintain, so you are probably okay in that range anyway.

I found a link right after I posted that!  These are nice because if your knee pain is still bothering you after a workout and you can't rest them, you can wear them under jeans or other pants unlike a bulky knee brace!

I have a left knee problem from running and it got worse in January after running a half marathon. I went to an orthopedic doctor. He told me to use the leg press at the gym but angle my toes outward to build a certain muscle. It worked my knee stopped hurting! try it!

Thanks! Yea, I hear that if you strengthen your quads it illeviates knee injury and pain. I'm going to try it...thank you!

Those burn meters aren't necessarily accurate. Don't believe them. Also, as someone who's had her share of injuries, chronic and acute, my advice:

1. Make sure you're using proper form on the exercise machines and are using your thigh muscles. Women tend to actually put a lot of force in their knees (from improper form) which seems to cause them knee problems. When I'm on a piece of equipment, I'm always focusing on using my quads/glutes/hamstrings/core to do the work and keep my knees light and flexible.

2. Don't run. So bad for your knees, especially if you're already having problems. Swimming, elliptical, and stationary bike are so much better (when using proper form).

3. To make sure you're using proper form, strength train the quads/glutes/hamstrings/core muscles. Women don't bulk up...trust me...unless you're on a really special diet for body building, this just won't happen. Strengthing those areas will help get them to work more easily, thus helping the knees not do so much work.

4. Wool at night. OK, I know this is messed up. But one of my coaches (former pentathlete) swears by it, and it totally works for me. When you go to bed, wrap the area in 100% wool. There's something about it that seems to help the problem area to heal. You could try a mashed paste of dark rye bread or chopped onion, but we won't go there! I've tried the rye, and I'm not sure if it really worked or not.

Thank you...I haven't had a problem the last few weeks. Legs are strong and doing well. :) YAY.