What are good exercises to strengthen my knees?

Question

Everytime I try doing any type of cardio or leg exercise, afterward is the worst pain. Before this knee problem I used exercise daily, and I miss it. Anyone please help me and also how to relieve the pain.
Thank you

Answer 1

I don't think they are weak, you might have put too much strain on them during those exercises.

My friend has had knee problems forever, and has had soo many surgeries that didn't help much.

For that pain, i'd recommend heat therapy, go buy a re-useable heat pack, it might temporarily help the pain go away if you use it right after your work-out.

Anyways, if you want to try knee strengthening workouts, then try leg extensions, squats, lunges, and dead lifts.

Answer 2

I am the queen of knee problems...I actually just started physical therapy again. I was very very active in sports and working out and I really messed them up. I have to try to undo all the years of working out and making them worse. My inner quad muscle (right there on the inside of your knee) shut down because I often just pushed through the knee pain. You've heard "no pain, no gain", right? Well, I just found out that it is 100% wrong when dealing with your joints...especially the knees. When you are working out and your knees start to hurt STOP! If you keep going you're going to make it worse. Right now I'm working on regaining muscle and strength in my quads. Of course I'm not a doc so I don't know what exactly is wrong w/your knees, but I've done pretty much the same exercises for all my problems. I suggest you see an Orthopeadic surgeon. (Doesn't mean you need surgery, its just what he is.) I was told I would never need surgery for my problem b/c it is something I can fix on my own, it's just going to be a very slow process. Running is probably one of the worse activities you can do to your knees. Swimming is the best and riding a stationary bike is good too. Just remember to stop once your knee starts to hurt. Muscle pain and joint pain a two different things!Ice your knees for about 20 min after you do any exercising. It will reduce any swelling or irritation. Best of luck w/it...I know how painful it is!

Answer 3

I use a chiropractor, massage therapist and the principles in the book (at the end)

Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.