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11 Runner's Knee Exercises and Stretches For Recovery
11 Runner's Knee Exercises and Stretches For Recovery
11 Runner's Knee Exercises and Stretches For Recovery
11 Exercises to
Relieve Runner’s Knee Pain
Medically reviewed by Lauren Jarmusz, PT, DPT, OCS — Written by Lauren
Armstrong, RDN on July 30, 2020
Knee killing you after getting those miles in or a brisk walk? It could
be runner’s knee. You don’t actually have to run to get runner’s knee
— you might feel the pain after walking or doing any sort of exercise
using your knees.
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Exercises and stretches for runner’s knee
Rest is important, but that doesn’t mean you have to lie on the couch
for the next week. Try doing the exercises below 3 to 5 times a week
for 6 weeks.
Know before you move: These exercises are general suggestions that
may help your knee, but a physical therapist can give you a proper
evaluation, determine why you have runner’s knee, and create the best
course of action for your pain and injury.
1. Hamstring stretch
back of thigh.
. Pull leg as close to you as you can, aiming to keep leg as straight
as possible and heel flexed and toward the ceiling.
. Hold for 30 seconds, then switch to your left leg.
Pro tip: “I also like standing hamstring stretches with the foot
propped up on a step or chair,” says physical therapist Austin Win.
“This allows a deeper stretch and to emphasize more hip stability if
it’s tolerated.”
2. Side-lying leg lift
4. Clam exercise
Image by Dima Bazak
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Image by Dima Bazak
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Image by Dima Bazak
Areas targeted: Quads and hip flexors
Reps: 2 or 3 per leg
. Start standing. Bend your right leg and bring heel toward glutes.
Reach back with right hand to grab right foot. Bring right heel as
close to glutes as you can without causing pain.
. As you stretch, keep right knee in close and stay upright — don’t
lean forward.
. Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat on the other side.
Pro tip: Feel off-balance? Use a chair, a wall, or a friend’s shoulder to
keep yourself stable. Also: “Don’t over-flex your hip,” says Austin.
“That’s cheating and doesn’t give you the best stretch.”
7. Bridge kick
strong.
10. Donkey kick
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Image by Dima Bazak
YES, PLEASE
run. Don’t go full-out and run 5 miles if you’re not used to it.
Don’t forget dynamic stretching and a warmup before
exercising.
If you do static stretching (holding a stretch in one place for
30 seconds), it’s best to do that after your workout, not
before.
Make sure your athletic shoes fit and support you properly.
Replace your running shoes every 300 to 500 miles.
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READ MORE
The Most Common Running Injuries and How
to Avoid Them
Are you a runner? Running aches and pains are common. Here are
the simple ways you can avoid running injuries that could keep you
sidelined.
READ MORE
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