Knee Pain

Knee Pain can be caused by a variety of things such as tight hamstrings, quadriceps and IT bands as well as trauma from running, twisting or falling.

Knees are interesting mechanical devices that were only made to move like a hinge and open and close. We get into trouble twisting the knee like in golf or basketball. The alignment of the knee can influence the ability to turn the knee without injury or stress.

Being a weight bearing joint, knees are prone to wear and tear from misalignment just like the tires on your car. The knee is made up of the bones of the lower leg and the upper leg with a meniscus (cushion like pad) between the two. The knee is held together by a series of ligaments that are often vulnerable to injury.

Muscles from the upper and lower leg cross over the knee joint. When one side is tight as in a tight IT band (located on the lateral side of the knee) more pressure is applied to the joint increasing the friction between the surfaces of the joint. Excessive wear and tear can lead to arthritis in later years.

Getting regular massage on the legs, hip and back can improve the alignment of the knee and help provide proper support for the body thereby reducing knee pain and the possibility of injury.

Massage can also be used to facilitate healing after an injury by keeping the pressure from the tightness of the muscles reduced.

See also :Reducing Knee Pain trough massage from the American Massage Therapy Association.

Massage Therapy for your Quads by Paul Ingram

Knee pain from my other website www.thebodyworker.com