Walking serves as a powerful ally in easing the pain associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA) through several beneficial mechanisms.
Firstly, walking contributes to rebuilding joints affected by OA. The cartilage in your joints, which acts as a shock absorber, can become damaged with OA, leading to pain and stiffness. However, regular walking helps in the compression and decompression of your body weight, providing nutrients to the cartilage and aiding in its regeneration.
Moreover, walking strengthens the muscles in your legs. Stronger muscles can alleviate the pressure on your joints, allowing them to handle more weight efficiently. By reducing the strain on your knees, walking helps alleviate pain and improves mobility.
Another significant benefit of walking for knee OA is weight management. Losing weight can significantly reduce the pressure and stress on your knees. For every pound lost, there is four times less pressure on the knees, leading to decreased pain and discomfort. Walking serves as a low-impact exercise that aids in weight loss, making it an ideal choice for individuals with knee OA.
Overall, walking plays a crucial role in managing knee OA pain by rebuilding joints, strengthening leg muscles, and promoting weight loss. Incorporating regular walking into your routine can lead to significant improvements in joint health and overall wellbeing.
