Knee pain is one of the most common symptoms with running and accounts for about half of running-related injuries. If you are a runner who is experiencing knee symptoms or you are a runner who wants to prevent future injuries, there are several ways you can reduce impact or load on the knee joint. One of the most common causes of movement impairment in running is lack of control or strength of the hip extensors, which can ultimately lead to knee pain.
Habitual postures can also lead to muscle imbalances. A person may be sitting at their desk all day slouching forwards, which can lead to tight hip flexors and lengthened/weak glute muscles. Tight hip flexors can lead to a lack of hip extension range of motion, thus driving an issue at the back. Because the body likes to find ways around restrictions, this person might compensate with excessive mobility at the low back joints to make up for that lack of hip mobility. Over time, changes in these tissues structures can ultimately become a source of pain.
After returning home from the hospital and a stint in the ICU from COVID-19, this once energetic man was unable to ambulate without the aid of a walker or take 20 steps without gasping for breath. Instead of seeing patients, his days were filled with home nursing visits, nebulizer treatments and walking exercises that were not improving his overall health. As a friend and colleague I asked myself, what techniques could I, as a physical therapist, utilize to help this patient recover? As it turns out, PT’s can do a lot.
When the winter Olympics showcases Curling there’s always an uptick of interest in the sport. Being married to a US Senior National Curling Champion, I’m always intrigued, and have considered trying it, but I don’t want to (literally) hit the ice. Although Curing can appear sort of silly, with all that sweeping of the ice, it’s actually QUITE physically and mentally challenging. It’s literally a game of “chess on ice,” both brawn and brain are required for a successful outcome! On top of strategy and teamwork, you need strength, cardiovascular endurance, balance and flexibility to successfully compete. First, a little about the game: There are 2 teams of 4 players or in the newer mixed doubles game, 2 players, that “deliver” or slide a 42lb granite stone across a sheet of ice toward a circular target of concentric circles dubbed “the house.” Points are scored for getting these rocks closest to the house’s center with both teams throwing stones in “ends” which are similar to baseball innings. Each game consists of 8-10 ends. Each team throws their stones trying to get as many rocks into the center while knocking their opponents rocks out, similar to shuffleboard. But why do they […]
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries is often referred to as the “Mother of all injuries”. It can knock athletes out for a season and leave them hesitating from pivoting ever again. Skiers, basketball, football, lacrosse and soccer players shutter at the sound of this three letter word knowing a 6-9 month rehab is following this injury. ACL tears usually occur after an awkward landing or a pivoting motion on a planted foot. Hard hits also contribute to this injury but nearly 80 % of ACL injuries are caused by non contact. Training the muscles to fire properly in the legs and working on form can hopefully keep ACL’s from sidelining you. When ACL Is a Pain The anterior cruciate ligament is a fascial band in the knee that connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) . It provides stability to the knee, controls rotation, and along with the hamstrings keeps the tibia from translating too forward on the femur. Studies show the ACL is under more stress when the knee is straight or bend 5 to 20 degrees and is exposed to an inwardly directed force. (Think “knocked knee position”). If the force exceeds the tensile strength […]