knee pain

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chezron
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2014 4:06 am
Location: La Mesa, CA

knee pain

Post by chezron »

I have pain in my left knee below (when bent) under (when straight) and toward the left of the knee cap. The pain makes it difficult to do child's pose at the beginning of class, but by the end I can do it easily. It feels sore but not a sharp pain. What do you think is my problem? I only have this on one knee.
Bernie
Posts: 1293
Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:25 am
Location: Vancouver

Diagnosing Knee Pain

Post by Bernie »

Have you seen a doctor? Trying to figure our medical problems over the internet is not great: I am not a doctor, and I can't see you and work with you directly. A health care professional can work with you interactively and test out ideas, and work with you to come up with suggestions.

Given all that, I suspect you have some inflammation going on. Often in cases of inflammation, once you have "warmed up" the body, it moves relatively pain free, but once you cool down again, the pain reappears. Now the question becomes, why is that knee inflamed? It could be due to some small tear you have in the cartilage of your knee (worst case) or a slight strain to the ligaments there (best case.) Again, a doctor would be able to test you knee and maybe give you a better diagnosis.

What to do about it? Rest. Leave it alone for a while and let it heal. Don't do Child's Pose or any postures that involve a deep flexion of that knee. Try something to bring down the chronic inflammation there (like ice, elevation or earthing.) Adopt a policy of "zero tolerance" to any pain there - pay attention to little tweaks and stop doing whatever tweaks that area. In time, it should heal nicely.

One final idea: you could try this exercise for the knees which has helped many people. But again, pay attention, if this makes the pain worse ... don't do it!

I hope this helps
Cheers
Bernie
Tree
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2014 10:10 pm
Location: York, UK

Knee Pain

Post by Tree »

I've been having a similar problem with my knees recently. There's a weakness on the inside of the knees. It gets better if I rest, but it can be frustrating when I have to back off during my stretching.

I've been to a doctor and he said there doesn't seem to be any damage, which is good, and I just need to rest and perhaps strengthen my knees somehow.

After a bit of research, I think I'm perhaps overextending in my stretch, or twisting the knee too much. It can be useful to ensure the knees are aligned with the ankle and not over to one side too much. Also taking time to make sure all the leg muscles are engaged to support the knee.

If the alignment is correct then there should be no pain. If there is pain, do as Bernie suggests and back off. Spend some time adjusting the posture to see if you can find a comfortable position. It's much better to have a strong posture that is correctly aligned, than being able to stretch a bit further but be in pain - that will only cause problems later.

I've tried a number of things to help strengthen my knees, such as quad exercises, but I gave the exercises for the knees a go, mentioned in the previous post, and they have really helped. I've only done them for a bit, but I think they are what I need to keep my knees in good condition.

It's easy to neglect your knees, but they are very important. You really realise how much you use them when they're injured. If you're aware of how to look after your knees, then they will be strong. Knowing when to ease off a bit and adjusting alignment when necessary is much better than ignoring pain and hoping it will just heal on its own.
alaust
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2016 3:34 am

Post by alaust »

i have the same problem with my knee but im worry if its good for my knee to do it or not?
Bernie
Posts: 1293
Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:25 am
Location: Vancouver

Post by Bernie »

If it hurts don't do it.

If you have a serious injury to the knee, and if a therapists recommends you take the knee into a position where it hurts, that pain may be therapeutic, but until and unless you get such informed advice, follow the "No pain, no pain!" maxim. If it continues to hurt, go see a specialist: a yoga therapist or some health care provider who can work with you one on one.

Good luck!
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