Yoga remedy for knee pain

Knees are the joints that are the most used and therefore most susceptible to injury and wear and tear. The knees are located in the middle of the human legs and are vital for both support to the body and locomotion. The knees, composed mainly of bones, tendons, cartilaginous tissue and ligaments, are designed to give ease of movement, as well as stability to the body. They are strong enough to sustain the weight of the body and therefore it is important to keep them healthy.

Strenuous activities such as sports or lifting and carrying heavy weights, can take a toll on the knees. These cause injuries that may not always heal and also make the knees susceptible to further disorders like arthritis. Other common knee problems like tendonitis, bursitis, and sprain can also cause pain and discomfort. When severe, these knee disorders can prove to be debilitating, restricting movement and causing a lot of pain.

Obesity has proven to be one of the highest risk factors of developing knee problems and many times losing weight can keep you away from most knee problems. However, if you have already started to develop discomfort around the knee area, you may need treatment for your knees. A lot of times, simple pain relievers may do the trick. However, in the long run, some disorders may degenerate the knees causing irreversible damage.

Exercise for knee pain

Yoga, of late, has come up as one of the most dependable therapies for knee pain. There are many knee pain exercises in yoga that can alleviate pain and keep the knees healthy. Yoga, in fact, is known as an effective knee pain therapy. Knee pain yoga involves various asanas or postures that help in restoring and increasing the flexibility of the muscles and ligaments around the joint. It also helps in strengthening the joint. The poses of yoga can help you balance the body’s alignment, making the knees stronger and more resistant to injuries.

However, yoga is never practiced when you are in pain or have just sustained an injury. Yoga is practiced once your immediate injury is healed and you are on your way to recovery. To practice knee pain yoga, it is best to first consult your doctor and then practice the therapy under a licensed practitioner who can expertly guide you through the poses. While yoga may prove to be an excellent knee pain remedy, using it incorrectly may aggravate your injury and cause more damage. An amalgamation of exercises for knee pain and increasing overall strength, yoga for knee pain can be seen as a long term remedy for your knee problems.

Yoga poses for knee pain

Some effective poses for knee pain are Parivrtta Janu-Sirsasana (Revolved Head-Knee Pose), Supta Bhekhasana, Gherandasana I & II, Supta Virasana (reclining hero pose), Malasana I & II (Garland Pose), Akarna Dhanurasana (Archer's Pose), Mulabandhasana, Bhekasana (frog pose), Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana (Half-Bound Lotus Seated Forward Bend) and Hanumanasana (monkey pose) among many others.