Aching Joints

Hi –
I run too and was having knee pain. It turned out that the muscles along the outside of my leg was weaker and my foot alignment was off. I went to a sport physical therapist, got a pair of shoe inserts and exercises to work on different muscle groups and balance.

When you run you place 3x your weight on your joints. Your running surface will make a difference on the amount of force is impacting your joints (cement ? grass? sand?) (see http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7124,s6-238-267--13...) .

Where is the joint pain (inside of knee? Out side of knee? Below knee? Hips? Side of ankle? Back of ankle?

look at the bottom of your running shoes - is there a specific wear pattern (e.g. the inside or outside of the shoe? the ball of your foot or your heel? ) or is the wear even? (http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7124,s6-240-319--12...)

Do you replace your shoes often? (you should replace your running shoes every 300 to 500 miles -- http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7124,s6-240-490--12... )

If your wear pattern is off on your shoes or when you run if you notice you roll your foot in or out this will put excessive force on your joints (you can get hip or knee pain from foot malalignment). If this is the case, you may need shoe orthotics (Do NOT get off the shelf, do NOT got to a podiatrist – since you are an avid runner I would HIGHLY recommend you go the a sports physical therapist).

In sum, there are a number of reasons why you may be getting joint pain so supplements may not be the only answer. If you really want to continue running and what you have been trying hasn’t helped, you may want to consider an evaluation by a sport physical therapist. He/she will look at correct foot alignment, how you run and see what your alignment is (e.g. if the push off from your feet is good), and they can also assess if you are over compensating with one muscle group secondary to having a weaker muscle group.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Try taking Calcium tablets, you have to take at least 1500 per day. Whatever they call it. As in mg. etc. I would also get some ecchinechia, it is a wonderful vitamin. If you decide on this only take the echinechia for one wk. stop for one wk. then again another wk. You don't take it all the time. So in one month you will have taken it for 2wks. Hopefully this works for you. Vitamin D is also good for bones.
Try doing a little exercise (maybe 15min) stretching prior to going out for your run just to get yourself tuned in. Good luck!!

Have you done a bone density test, to test for osteoporosis? Have you talked to your physician about your aches and pains?

Are you on anything to lower your cholesterol? At 38 I was having horrible joint pain in my hips shoulders hands, etc. I thought I was becoming arthritic. Turned out I was reacting badly to the Zocor I was taking. When I stopped taking the statin, my joint pain was completely gone within 2 weeks. Messing with my cholesterol was not worth the aching and limping around.

Try OPC3. It has helped many, many folks I know with aches and pains.
Here's a site below where you can check it out and you can also take a free physical. It was created by doctors and scientists. It will tell you based on your diet and lifestyle what you are lacking in vitamins and supplements. It's pretty neat. It's on the left hand side on the bottom.
www.coliryan.com

Replenex Glucosamine would be a good supplement to add to your vitamins each day. It’s a natural supplement intended to help joint mobility and cartilidge. Let me know if you’re interested and I can help you get it.

You should try MonaVie Active. It has liquid glucosamine that is much more absorbable than the pill form. It is also SUPER FULL of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from real fruit. It is good stuff. It will make you feel better from head to toe! Lots of professional athletes are drinking it.

If you are interested, I can tell you how to get it.

Good luck!

Magnesium, calcium, and potassium deficiencies can cause achy joints... also poor support in your running shoes (though I suspect it is something else since your joints ache even when you are on a running break). It could also be lack of good sleep- is your mattress in good shape?

hope youfeel better soon!

you probably arent taking a good enough multi-vitamin. I have fibromyalgia and a joint disorder and i started taking these vitamins from an online club (a multi-vitamin and a joint vitamin) and they have made a HUGE difference in my pain. They also have a great line for people who work out of sports drinks with a lot less sugar and a lot more electrolites, these really yummy bars you eat before you work out to help you not be as sore, protein shakes, etc. they are really inexpensive too. Feel free to message me with all of the details, i dont know if i would get in trouble for spam if it here.

Get your hemoglobin checked. When my blood iron is low my joints ache.

Sounds like AJ C. from Cincinnati is on the right track. A chiropractor-kinesiologist could help you with this AND determine what, if any, supplements you need to help your aching joints.