How to Protect Your Knees While Using Stairs

Most of us use stairs at some point during our week. Most of us will suffer from knee pain as we age. Here's the proper way to walk up stairs so that your knee joint stays healthy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Stand with your feet parallel toes facing the bottom step. Stand tall with your back straight and your shoulders square. Feet should be a comfortable width apart, whatever distance feels natural.

2. Step up with one foot, place it on the stair.

3. Use your hip joint as the power point to lift your body up. Not your knee. Concentrate on using your hip as the place of strength. Squeeze your hip and fanny, keep your knee relaxed.

4. Do the same thing on the other side. Place the foot on the stair and use the hip to propel you upward, keeping the knee relaxed.

5. Be sure that the knee never pushes beyond the toe. As you move up the stairs, using your hips, keeping your back straight and tall, look down and make sure your knee never covers up your toe.

6. Continue up the stairs slowly the first time, standing tall, keeping your concentration on using your hips rather than your knees to propel you.

7. This seems complicated, but if you take the time to learn this method, it will become very natural. Your knees will be happier for it.

Tips & Warnings

• Go slowly at first. Over time, the practice will become second nature.
• Strengthening your thigh muscles helps protect the knee. Strength training and stretching are recommended.
• If you already have knee issues, see a doctor before adopting this method.