For as long as I can remember, there’s always a pain present in and around my knees. They may differ in intensity and levels but I tell you, they never, not even once, leave me. They are just always there; dull, crippling, whatever! Some say, it has something to do with gender but I’ve seen members of the opposite sex in much worse shape than what I have now which, by the way, I could consider manageable at times.
When I was young, my coach used to tell me to always protect the knees when engaging in sports, no matter how fit and athletic you are. It’s because like a cracked eggshell, the injury never really heals, they just keep themselves together. However, they are bound to bring hell come 45 years and up, some even younger. Which brings me to my point:  fit or unfit, seniors are vulnerable to aching knees.
Here are 10 easy ways to protect your knees and hopefully, make aches and pains of the knee a little more manageable!
·    Know the enemy. Are you prone to osteoarthritis? Know that osteoarthritis has several factors which could trigger the said disease. These are:  age, weight, past injuries, hereditary factors, and inactivity leading to weak muscles.
·    Assess your current health status. Did you know that some diseases and illnesses you may have right now could affect your knees? For one, diabetes is known to cause joint troubles particularly around the knee area. Get your doctor involve by assessing your health condition together.
·    Maintain a healthy weight all throughout your life, especially when nearing the golden age as this is when the knees are at its weakest. Know that the knees take the most pressure of the body’s heaviness and weight so please be kind to your knees. The lighter you are, the kinder it is to your knees.
·    Avoid activities that can injure your joints. These are activities in which your joints are regularly subjected to high-impact stress. These are very common in the sports industry. Prolonged standing can also induce too much stress on your knees.
·    Move adequately enough. Try to build and strengthen muscles around your knees by performing exercises which have a lighter impact on the joint itself. Muscles support and protect the joints.
·    Walking devices prove to be helpful especially when there’s already an ache present. No need to induce stress to an already hurting knee.
·    In an event that you fall, trip, hit or whatever your knees, consult your doctor at once and have them evaluate the extent of damage. Never self-assess!
·    Try to find a fitness program or regimen that is kind to the joints. It is best if you train under a professional instructor’s supervision.
·    Take pain reliever if you need to. You don’t have to endure pain and have it run your life, take control!
·    Eat healthy. You will need calcium, vitamin D and those with omega-3 fatty acids to make your bones stronger and keep inflammation at bay.