Sore Knees....but NO knee history!

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Happy Beginner
Participant

May 3, 2011 at 12:24 pm

Post count: 12

#2120

Hi Gabrielle,

I have been at Bikram now for almost a year. I did however fall off the wagon for nearly 3 months; but I am back to regular practice for the last 4 months.
I try to go at least 3 times a week but sometimes manage 5-6.

I have never, in my life, had issue with my knees…..
However last week my knees where KILLING me & I skipped a week.
I have quite sore pain in under the knee cap area. My knees have also started clicking which the never did before. Sometimes the click is actually a bit sore….like a bad cracking your knuckles kind of pain. The knees have even been painful at night in bed. Sleeping straight legged or bent does not soften the pain.

The week before the problem I went to 4 classes & I managed to push the barrier a bit on ‘Standing Head to Knee’ actually balancing for the duration.
(I’m nowhere near my head to the knee bit!!!)
I also got my furthest in the ‘Hands to Feet’ pose.
Could I have done something in these, pushing it too far?
I had no pain in class but the following day and up till now…about 9 days, the knees are sore.

Am I right ‘Locking the knee’ in a fashion that I lift the knee cap up buy flexing the mussel?…… You know the way guys can bop their pecks?
I’m doing that with my knee caps (best description I can think off!!!)
OR should I be lifting my knee cap from the thigh mussel down?
As in start the flex from the thigh and down to lift the knee cap???

What am I doing wrong??
I’m worried this will stay with me and put me off renewing my annual membership in July???

Regards,
ACK

connie36
Participant

May 3, 2011 at 9:20 pm

Post count: 67

#8583

Your symptoms sound more like an alignment problem. Typically what happens is that if you have any sort of patella (kneecap) tracking mis-alignment, the more you use it, the more the irritation becomes apparent. You would notice pain behind the kneecap, clicking, maybe some swelling, etc.

This could very well be something you’ve had going on for quite a while, but it’s only once you starting putting more demands on your knees with Bikram that it became more noticeable. What you should do is see a physical therapist who can help you with some exercises to help solve the alignment issues. Just a heads up, but I can bet they won’t like the idea of squatting down as low as we do in Bikram. You can modify that if you think it helps or go back to it once your knees are feeling better. Just realize that “conventional wisdom” for anyone with any knee issues is to tell them to never squat past 90 degrees. Mind you, I’ve done years and years of physical therapy for various knee injuries and I tend to think that’s mostly nonsense, but just so you’re not surprised…

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

July 28, 2011 at 4:59 am

Post count: 3048

#8744

Hi Ack

A long time has passed since you posted and Connie responded! How are your knees now? Do you need any more input?

Let us know. I am back on track now after teacher training (my program in Costa Rica) and a holiday (well deserved and very enjoyable!) so feel free to type something. Hope you’re well

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂
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