Got Knee Pain? Corrective Exercise Strategy. Pt 1
By Julio A. Salado, NASM & NSCA C.P.T.
My essay
is a basic corrective exercise approach to specific knee pain caused by lack of ankle mobility. Most individuals will either have knee discomfort underneath the knee, also known as ‘Jumper’s Knee’ or
‘Runner’s Knee’ e.g. discomfort on the side of the leg/knee. Please recognize
the difference between ‘discomfort’ and ‘pain’. As I always tell my clients ‘we
do not work through pain’ but discomfort is a red flag. Stop the exercise and learn how to address and prevent the pain.
The
discomfort is the precursor to a bad situation becoming worse. Fortunately, attending
to the discomfort and applying some exercise science and commonsense we usually can reverse the ailment.
If you
have had consistent knee pain then I would suggest seeing a medical professional.
Lastly, I highly recommend getting an assessment of your posture, flexibility and muscular strength imbalances by fitness
professional. The information will help you become more efficient in your workout
and prevent any joint dysfunction. Your goals will be easier to attain because
you will recruit more muscles for your workout and not be sideline by injury.
This
is part 1 of my ‘Got Knee Pain?’ essay. In this essay, I will discuss the importance
of ankle mobility and muscle balance in the calf/shin muscles. Visualize what
you do when you get out of bed. The first part of our body to touch the earth is our big toe followed by the other toes, the
ball of our feet then heel. If you ever stumped your toe, you will quickly notice
the importance of our ankle mobility and how it affected our posture. We will
compensate the pain in the toe by changing the way we walk, unconsciously leaning on one side of our body which stresses other
muscles and joints.
Most
knee pain is the result of sedentary lifestyle (8-10 hours of sitting or inactivity per day), muscle imbalances, poor form
while performing exercises and lack of rest (overuse). There are other possible
factors such as flat feet, posture, age, type of shoes, past surgeries etc…
Knee
discomfort usually springs from a disruption of the ACL or MCL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament- front of knee, Meniscus Cruciate
Ligament –both sides of the knee). View the ligaments as the ‘shock absorbers’
of the knee. There are other ligaments in the knee joint but I will only address
the most common injuries. The knee is a marvel when you think how much pressure/shock
it absorbs from our regular walking to work, walking up stairs, jogging and even
abrupt stopping. Without a stable knee, our easiest everyday tasks become
a challenge. Did you know that the foot moves in all anatomical planes, unlike
the knee, which primarily moves in the sagittal plane (flexion and extension).
Generally,
people who sit all day will have tight hamstrings, hip flexors, calf muscles, weak gluteus (buttocks) and underactive inner
thigh muscles. Please note, other preventable muscle imbalances and joint dysfunction
may arise from overuse or a sedentary lifestyle e.g. low back pain, hip drop/hike, neck pain.
FYI, when you have tight muscles, its primary functional movement might be altered.
For example, tight hamstrings and tight lower back usually signal a weak gluteus muscle. The weak gluteus (buttocks) muscle function of being an extensor muscle will be dominated by the hamstring
and lower back. This will limit your range of hip joint movement and affect the
joints above and below: spine, shoulder blades, rotator cuff and also the knee.
The
joint below the knee is the ankle. Tight calf muscles, whether from sitting down
all day or wearing high heels may alter you ankle mobility. The shin muscles
will be unable to perform it primary role because its’ opposing muscle ‘the calf’ is overpowering it via its tightness. Many people get shin splints and plantar fasciitis because of tight calf muscles and
weak shin muscles ( posterior tibalis).
It’s
important to note that no muscles work independently. Secondly, if you
have tight muscles its’ opposing muscles are usually weak and needs to be strengthen.
Remember, muscles wrap around our joints. When they are tight our joints
range of motion is affected and it travels throughout our posture and human body kinetic chain.
Some
symptoms from tight calf muscles and weak shin muscles:
· Jumper’s knee- underneath the knee
· Runner’s knee- muscles on the side of your hip/leg down to you knee. (ITB,TFL)
· Plantar Fasciitis
· Shin Splints
· Achilles Tendonitis
· Low back pain
· Feet externally rotate
Basic assessment tests for hamstring and calf muscle flexibility and extensibility: I
highly suggest asking a fitness professional for assistance.
Sit and reach: Sit on the floor with your legs together and straightened. Sit upright, exhale and
reach for your toes. Measure the results. How far away were your fingertips from
your toes? Note: You can have flexible hamstring muscle with tight calf muscles. This
is generally a hamstring flexibility test. If you can touch your toes then go to the tube stretch drill.
Foam Roll: Foam roll (Self Myo Fascia SMR Roll) are everywhere.
Most gyms have them but few people use them. I use them for muscle recovery/regeneration
and for assessment of muscle tension. Place the foam roll underneath your calf
muscles. Lift your body off the floor with your hands so your can have more pressure
between the foam roll and calf muscles. Breathe and draw in your navel. Lastly,
cross one foot over the other and check for tension. If on a scale of 1-10, 5
being uncomfortable, you score higher than a 5 then you have tight calf muscles.
For more information on foam rolling techniques buy 'Maximum Boost Workout© 8 Week Body Sculpting
Book'.
Resistance Tube Calf Stretch: This is a sure way to check
for tight calf muscles. Obtain a resistance tube or thera band with 15lbs-20lbs of tension (towel can also be used). Sit
on the floor and place both handles over the bridge of your foot. NOTE: Make sure to secure it over the bridge of the foot
or it can become loose and slap you in the face. After the handles are secure
grab the opposite side of the tube with your hands and lay flat on your back. The
leg that does NOT have the handles on the foot should be straightened with the knee touching the floor and toes pointing up.
Next
slowly lift the leg with the handles over the foot. Bring the leg towards your
hip and make sure your leg is straight. Once you reach the maximum flexibility
of your hamstrings, point your big toe downwards toward you face. You should feel the calf muscles being stretched. If you feel a stretch behind the knee or in your hamstrings then this may be the cause
of your knee discomfort. Hold for 1mintute and 30 seconds, breathe and keep your shoulder, head and lower back on the floor.
There
is no silver bullet when it comes to lessening the knee discomfort. If your discomfort
persists thenn please see a medical professional.
Suggested corrective exercise drills for tight calf muscles and ankle mobility:
First and foremost:
Foam Roll your calf muscles including the sides and shin muscles. Find a tender
spot and hold it for 45 seconds. One
technique is to place the foam roll underneath your calf muscles. Lift your body
off the floor with your hands so your can have more pressure between the foam roll and calf muscles. Breathe and draw in your
navel. Lastly, cross one foot over the other and check for tension. If on a scale of 1-10, 5 being uncomfortable, you score higher than a 5 then you have tight calf muscles. For more information on foam rolling techniques buy 'Maximum Boost Workout© 8 Week Body Sculpting
Book'.
Tennis Ball Roll: This is similar to foam rolling.
While seated place a tennis ball under the bridge of your foot (no shoes/sandals). Roll the ball under the foot while simultaneously gently pressing downward. Once you find a tender spot, hold it for 40 seconds. Repeat
as needed.
Tube Stretch: This is a sure way to check for tight calf muscles.
Obtain a resistance tube or thera band with 15lbs-20lbs of tension (towel
can also be used). Sit on the floor and place both handles over the bridge of
your foot. NOTE: Make sure to secure it over the bridge of the foot or it can become loose and slap you in the face. After the handles are secure grab the opposite side of the tube with your hands and
lay flat on your back. The leg that does NOT have the handles on the foot should
be straightened with the knee touching the floor and toes pointing up.
Next
slowly lift the leg with the handles over the foot. Bring the leg towards your
hip and make sure your leg is straight. Once you reach the maximum flexibility
of your hamstrings, point your big toe downwards toward you face. You should feel the calf muscles being stretched. If you feel a stretch behind the knee or in your hamstrings then this may be the cause
of your knee discomfort. Hold for 1mintute and 30 seconds, breathe and keep your shoulder, head and lower back on the floor.
Repeat as needed.
Stepper or Tri-Stepper:
Steppers are a convenient way to stretch your calf muscles. There is now available a Tri-Stepper that allows you to stretch your calf muscles in all anatomical planes
(left, right, back, forward). They might have a different name but a fitness
professional will understand and be able to assist you.
Shin Muscles Strength Drills: These drills are best when done with a partner but can be done alone. You will need either a resistance tube, band or cable machine. You
want to exercise your shin muscle from (3) different angles. It is very important
you perform these drills with diligence and go for the full range of motion instead of speed/increased tension.
- Sit upright on a bench with one leg resting on top of the bench. Your
ankle and foot is slightly off the bench. Note your toe is point up. Place a resistance tube (10lbs-20lbs tension) over the foot. Your
partner will pull the handle and foot down and away from you (plantar flexion)…you
will dorsi flex or bring your foot back into a 45degree angle. Repeat 12-20 times ..hold for dorsiflexion for 2 seconds. Repeat
as needed.
- Repeat instructions above…but your will now evert your foot (turn foot outwards). Your partner will gently
pull the handle over the foot in the opposite direction. . Repeat 12-20 times ..hold for dorsiflexion for 2 seconds. Repeat as needed.
- Repeat instructions from #1 drill…but your will now invert your foot (turn foot inwards). Your partner will gently
pull the handle over the foot in the opposite direction. . Repeat 12-20 times ..hold dorsiflexed foot for 2 seconds. Repeat as needed.
Trainer tip: Use only one resistance tube handle for the first couple of sets. Learn the complete
range of motion of the drill then increase tension.
Standing calf stretch with rocking (ankle mobility): Stand in front of a wall with a stagger
stance. Stretch your arms out and place your hands on the wall- directly in front of shoulders. Back leg is straight (do not
lock knee) and leading leg is in a 90 degree bend with both heels on the floor... This drill resembles a calf stretch but
you will rock back and forth for 45 seconds. Perform drill on opposite leg. Repeat as needed.
Bosu Ball foot compression (ankle mobility): Great for plantar fasciitis and promoting ankle mobility.
Stand on top of a Bosu ball (Dome up and flat piece on the floor). Once on top of the dome learn to balance, stay upright
with knees slight bended and navel drawn in. With hands on your hips begin pressing
the ball of your feet down on the ball and then shift your weight to your heels. Go
back and forth and alternate feet compression. Perform for 45 seconds. Repeat as needed.
After
you relaxed your muscles with foam rolling and lengthened them via stretches do the following.
Single Leg Stance with leg abduction on Airex Balance Pad: This drill can be done without a Airex
balance pad but I prefer the instability to promote neuromuscular efficiency and inter muscular coordination..Stand on top
of a Airex Balance Pad. You are upright with hands on your hips and navel drawn
in. Remember to think tall and relax the shoulders. Lift one leg off the floor and to the side for 8-12 repetitions.
Keep the toe inward and slowly perform the exercise. Repeat for 3 sets
By the way, consider the following as possible culprits to your knee pain:
· Do you wear high heels on a regular basis?
· Check your footwear for arch
support.
· Do you have a workout that promotes joint health and muscle recovery/regeneration?
E.g. foam roll, ankle mobility drills
· Are you performing hip dominated exercises to balance out your knee dominant
exercises? e.g. single leg deadlifts
These
are a few suggestions but there are many other modalities that can assess and alleviate most common knee pain. Integrate a corrective exercise routine into your program and your will be amazed on the positive results.
It is time to take your fitness to the next level!
In my next essay, I will discuss how muscles imbalance
above the knee leads to knee discomfort and pain. Feel free to contact for pictures
and videos of the drills or more information on strength and conditioning training.
Be well and stay ACTIVE!!
Julio A. Salado, NASM & NSCA C.P.T.
Fitness Foundry, designed for healthy living©
Certified Personal Trainer
Assess, Initiate, Motivate
Email: juliosalado@fitnessfoundry.net
http://www.fitnessfoundry.net
