For most people, the instinctive response to a bout of knee pain is to avoid exercise until it feels better.  Whilst it’s a sensible response to think that a painful knee needs lots of rest, knees actually prefer activity and exercise.  Resting your sore knee and avoiding all exercise can in fact prologue the problem.

So what should you do?  The key is activity modification.  You want to stay as active as possible but avoid or limit the activities which aggravate your symptoms.  Try to limit the amount of impact activity you do until your symptoms settle – swap running for swimming, cycling or a cross-trainer.

Targeted strengthening of your buttock muscles and leg muscles can also really help to improve knee pain faster and prevent it from recurring.  Try the three exercises below.  Build up the repetitions slowly and don’t push through any pain.

Exercises for Knee Pain: