Knees!

[Adian]

Hello Bodyworkers,  I am new to  this forum and I would love to hear about any advice anyone may have for knee injury work. Specifically, old injuries. Many of my clients have had "bum knees" for a long time and when I do pressure point and light tissue manipulation around the knee area, they experience "an unstable feeling or slight pain" the next day. Stretching causes some soreness. I don't remember being taught in school any specific knee work for injuries. Anyone else finding that there is not much to do for knees? Any advice would be helpful, Thanks!

 

[Dr P]

We just had this in school. The primary reason for knee pain is Knee Tracking... excessive Q angle. the angle between two imaginary lines from the tibial tuberosity through the midpoint of the patella and the second from the ASIS through the midpoint of the patella.malicious malalignment syndrome causing knee pain and patellar tracking. Working the ADDuctors of the thigh..anterior pelvic tilt correction, and glutes/hamstrings...  genu valgum and genu valrum (knock knees and bow legged..) assessmnt and muscular re education... can help.

 

[beki z]

First, I don't know what you already do --- but neuromuscular techniques work best on knees for me.  I have several folks who hobble in on canes and walk out after an hour of NMT.  I warm the fascia and muscles above and to the sides of the knee, and then beginning gently and becoming more assertive, do friction and compression in Vastus Lateralis and Medialis primarily and all the tendinous attachments.  Rectus F sometimes shows some junk but I mostly see it in VL and VM.  Be really slow and really patient and don't use anything that lets your hands slip. Be sure to stop and flush the area with longer strokes every so often, and try not to neglect the other knee.  I use the 3 to 1 rule ----- treat the area that's causing the pain 3 x more than the rest, but save that last 1/4 for balancing touchHope that helps ---

 

[bradley]

I use the 3 to 1 rule ----- treat the area that's causing the pain 3 x more than the rest, but save that last 1/4 for balancing touch

I like this thinking!  Thanks for that input!

 

[Spaz]

Knees!

a dysfunctioning VMO or knee flexion firing pattern may also lead to knee pain...

 

[JanetTiettotsscold]

Klowe,I agree with you.  A balnce between Adductors and abductors, hip flexors and extensors, would lead to a more normal posture( ASISs that line up, level pelvis etc)  and because of this there would be less likely to be pain in other areas..

 

[Pompal 09.]

re: knees

I realize this is an old post, but in case other MT's are looking for techniques to help clients with knee pain, I thought I'd contribute:

1. Orthobionomy is a great class to take, if you need some CEU's. The techniques are gentle and effective releases for the joints.
2. From a home care standpoint, strengthening the leg muscles helps to stabilize the knee and minimize pain. A good book is "Treat Your Own Knees" by Jim Johnson.
3. From a massage standpoint, my general rule of thumb is to massage all the leg muscles. Then, depending on the symptoms, I look for trigger points in the muscles most likely to be causing the problem:

Rectus Femoris - refers pain directly under the kneecap
Vastus Medialis - causes weak knees, "trick knees", buckling knees
Vastus Lateralis - causes locked knee
Biceps Femoris - causes a dull ache behind the knee
Gastrocnemius - makes it difficult to straighten the knee

It's not necessary to know trigger point therapy to release these muscles. Just focus your massage therapy techniques on the appropriate muscles, and look for tension origin to insertion.