These 8 exercises were first published in Robin McKenzie’s book Treat Your Knee.
Mr. McKenzie is a famous physiotherapist from New Zealand and his so-called McKenzie Method is one of the most used diagnostic treatment systems when it comes to back pain. With the help of this exercise program, you will get a chance to heal your knees and improve mobility and flexibility.
If you are looking to get maximum knee pain relief, it is highly recommended to perform these stretches ten times every two hours before bedtime.
Exercise 1: Active Knee Extension while Sitting
Begin this exercise in an upright position while sitting in a chair and keep your feet flat on the ground. Gently lift the of your problematic knee and start straightening your leg until you notice contraction in the quadriceps muscle.
Keep this position for about two seconds and slowly return to the initial position. Repeat this exercise for 10 times.
Exercise 2: Knee Extension while Sitting
Once again, sit in a chair and position the heel of the problematic knee on another chair or stool that is the same height as your painful knee.
Keep the knee slightly bent and toes straight. Get rid of the tension in your knee and start strengthening your leg.
Keep this position for about two seconds and after that return to the initial position. Repeat this procedure ten times.
Tip: Keep in mind that you should move just into the pain and after that release the tension.
Exercise 3: Knee Extension in Standing Position
Stand upright and put the heel of your problematic knee on a stool, low step, or on the ground. Reach forward with your hands and place them right above the knee.
Push down and straighten the knees with both of your hands until the moment you feel stretched.
Keep this position for about two seconds and return to the initial position. Perform 10 repetitions.
In case the pain occurs inside of the knee, keep rotating your foot to the outer side while performing this exercise. In case the pain occurs on the outside, keep moving your foot inward while performing this exercise.
Exercise 4: Knee Flexion in the Sitting Position
Start this exercise in a sitting position, but keep your body upright. Bend your knee and pull your leg up in your chest’s position. Use your hands on your ankle as a support. At the same time pull your heel in the direction of your buttocks and stay like that for two seconds. After that, return the knee to the initial position. Do this 10 times.
Exercise 5: Knee Flexion in the Standing Position
Stand upright and put the heel of the problematic knee on a stool or chair. In case you lack balance, hold onto the stool/chair.
Carefully lean forward and push the buttock in the direction of your heel until you get a knee stretch.
Keep this position for two seconds and repeat ten times.
In case you feel uncomfortable while doing this exercise, place a rolled hand towel just under the knee and the discomfort should be gone.
Exercise 6: Knee Flexion in the Kneeling Position
Begin kneeling on your legs and arms and use a cushion under your body to provide support for your knees.
Carefully kneel back by using your heels while keeping your hands on the ground until you notice that your knees are stretched.
Keep this position for about two seconds. Perform this exercise between 6 and 10 times.
Next, stretch again by sitting on your heels and lifting your hands. Keep this position for two seconds and return to the initial position.
Perform this procedure 10 times.
Exercise 7: Knee Strengthening in Standing position, Chair Squat Holding Door Knob*
Stand upright and keep your feet shoulder-width apart. Position yourself in front of an open door (so you can use the door knobs) and put a chair behind you. Sit back slowly until you notice tension in the muscles in the area around your knee.
Repeat this exercise between 10 and 15 times two times a day.
Keep in mind that your knees should be directed forward and that you should lower the hips until your buttocks are almost on the chair, but don’t sit down.
Exercise 8: Knee Strengthening in Standing, One-Legged Knee Bend
Stand upright on the leg where you feel knee pain, down the edge of a step, and use a chair as a support. Bend your problematic leg in a manner in which your “good” leg is lowered below the level of the step in a direction toward the ground until you notice a firm tension in your muscles located around the knee.
This lowering should last for about 5 seconds.
Keep in mind that the center of your knee should be directed forward all the time. Keep this position for about two seconds and repeat this exercise between 10 and 15 times, two times a day.
Excellent! You are taking the right measures to ease or even get rid of knee pain.
Via Web MD