Running is not so bad on your knees, after all!

I applaud studies that challenge the status quo, and make an effort to dispel ‘myths’ that have pervaded our culture to such an extent that they become regarded as the ‘norm’. I am also very sensitive to ‘scientific tradition’, which advocates a certain remedy, in spite of ‘personal experience’ that does not support the remedy. We are not all moulded out of the same stone.

How many times do you hear people bemoan running …

… as an activity not really so good for you? Such critics suggest that repetitive pounding destroys your joints and brings about all sorts of aches and pains. As someone who has spent most of my life running, I can’t say that I suffer this problem. After all these years, my joints still feel fabulous!

Benefits of exercise

There is so much evidence in the literature supporting the notion that exercise is one of the most effective ways to treat osteoarthritis because it:

• Reduces pain;
• Improves flexibility;
• Strengthens the muscles supporting the joints; and
• Promotes weight loss, which reduces the stress on your joints.

Yet, most of these proponents of exercise for osteoarthritis recommend non-weight bearing sports, such as swimming and stationary cycling, as beneficial for people with osteoarthritis.

‘New wave’ thinking

At last, there is evidence emerging to dispel these myths. It seems that people who don’t run suffer more joint pain than people who do run. Go figure!

Check out this interesting article by Alex Hutchinson, which gives us a new perspective on knee pain: Here’s More Evidence That Running Doesn’t Ruin Your Knees

I have always believed that running is a good thing!

Author: Kara Gilbert @ KMG Communications