Patellofemoral pain syndrome, more commonly known as “Runner’s Knee” is the name for a group of symptoms that affect the patella, or kneecap, causing pain, stiffness and more serious injury if left untreated. Symptoms can include soreness behind, around, or in the middle of the kneecap and can range anywhere between a dull ache, or a sharp and sudden stabbing pain. Sufferers may hear their knees cracking when they move, or may feel as though their knees could give out under their body weight.
Patellofemoral issues are certainly common among athletes and are responsible for about 10% of all sports injury clinic visits, but despite its name, runner’s knee doesn’t just affect runners. Because the knee bears so much of our body weight and is constantly in use, it is very vulnerable to injury. Doctors believe that postural problems, prior injuries and the natural aging process all place undue pressure on the knee joint, and anyone who uses their knees a lot to do things like climb stairs, bike, or perform other repetitive motions are at risk of developing the condition.
There is good news however, there are many natural ways to treat runner’s knee without surgery, and with proper preventative care, you may be able to avoid it all together. We’ve put together a list of the top ways to treat runner’s knee naturally, including Pure Vitality supplements Joint Vitality and Deer Antler Velvet for powerful prevention and relief.
Strength Training and Stretching
Your knees are part of an intricate system of muscles and bones in your leg that work together to move and bend. If the muscles surrounding your knee joint (in particular your quadricep or thigh muscles) are weak, they could cause misalignment, putting too much pressure on your knees and causing pain and eventual damage to cartilage and surrounding tissue.
Add strength training to your exercise routine, squats, lunges, swimming and cycling are all good options, and because your hips and hamstrings also play a role in the health of your knees, be sure to properly stretch before and after exercise, concentrating on these areas.
As with any exercise, if any of these activities cause you pain, listen to your body and stop. Be sure to consult your doctor if the pain is ongoing.
Diet and Supplements
Diet plays a key role in the health of your musculoskeletal system. Joint pain is often caused by inflammation in the tissue and cartilage surrounding the kneecap and an anti-inflammatory diet can greatly reduce these symptoms. Omega 3 fatty acids found in tuna, mackerel and other fatty fish may help reduce inflammation, along with plenty of dark leafy greens like kale and spinach. Avoid processed foods, sugar, white bread and pasta, and drink plenty of water.
A great way to support a wholesome diet and improve the health of your joints is to add supplements like Pure Vitality Joint Vitality and Deer Antler Velvet to your daily routine. One Joint Vitality tablet contains the most powerful Tumeric/Curcumin extract which has been shown to reduce inflammation and swelling in lab studies (1), along with glucosamine to rebuild and restore cartilage and vitamin D for added nutritional support. Deer Antler Velvet contains calcium, magnesium and many other powerful anti-inflammatories and amino acids to support health and wellness. As an added bonus, studies also show (2) that it may increase strength and improve aerobic performance.
Rest
If you have a busy lifestyle, or if you are training towards a far away fitness goal, it is all too easy to forget the importance of rest and recuperation. Your body needs time to build muscle and endurance and In fitness and health, slow and steady is almost always better than pushing your body too far too soon.
If you are experiencing knee pain when you exercise or directly afterwards, it could be a sign that you are on your way to an injury. Pull back for a few days and rest. You can also try icing and elevating your knee after exercising to help bring down any inflammation. Remember that rest now, while it may be inconvenient, will help you avoid a much longer period of enforced rest after injury later.
Remember, leaving runners knee untreated could lead to serious injury and chronic pain down the line so if your knees are hurting, listen to your body. Remember to rest and restore, help support your knees by strengthening and stretching the surrounding muscle and tissue, and give your body all the resources it needs with a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet. Don’t forget to try Pure Vitality Joint Vitality and Deer Antler Velvet to be sure that you’re getting all of the nutritional support you need to promote lifelong healthy joints and pain-free knees.
Pure Vitality
Pure Vitality
Pure Vitality a natural supplement company based in an isolated village nestled against the snow-capped Southern Alps of New Zealand. We research health conditions thoroughly to discover the underlying root causes, find the most effective natural remedies, target the root causes rather than use a Band-Aid approach, use a multi-prong approach to fix the root causes from many directions and use high potency ingredients at scientifically supported amounts.
References:
(1) http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/curcumin-improves-memory-and-mood-new-ucla-study-says
(2) https://antlerfarms.com/blog/deer-antler-velvet-and-muscle-strength/
https://draxe.com/natural-treatment-runners-knee/
https://rtpr.com/article/20-secrets-ease-runners-knee-pain
https://www.curejoy.com/content/natural-remedies-for-runners-knee/
https://www.active.com/fitness/articles/8-natural-remedies-for-knee-pain
https://www.runnersworld.com/health-injuries/a20794617/natural-cures-for-running-injuries/
http://www.triathlete.com/2015/08/training/runners-knee-treatment-recovery-and-exercises_72793
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-fish-oil-supplements-reduce-inflammation