{"id":2358,"date":"2017-11-05T22:40:07","date_gmt":"2017-11-05T22:40:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pilateswithpriya.co.uk\/?p=2358"},"modified":"2017-11-05T22:40:07","modified_gmt":"2017-11-05T22:40:07","slug":"can-you-do-the-knee-cap-dance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pilateswithpriya.co.uk\/?p=2358","title":{"rendered":"Can you do the knee cap dance?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Knees can be tricky things and are something that people often comment on in class.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy knee pulls when I do that\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Now pain is always a sign to stop and reassess.The body is telling you there is a problem and you need modify your movement.<\/p>\n

There are a few things you could do:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. You can make the same movement smaller working within a range that causes less pain (note it may not be entirely painfree).<\/li>\n
  2. Change over to a different exercise that works the same muscles but doesn\u2019t hurt your knee.<\/li>\n
  3. Stretch the muscles around you knee and then try again.<\/li>\n
  4. Work out what the actual problem is with your knee and work on releasing the tight areas, strengthening the weak areas.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    So all these options have their place and in the context of a class it is often options 1-3 that need to be done. However at a later time I definitely advise that you start to assess where the problem is coming from. Start with your range of movement. Can you fully bend and straighten your knee without forcing it? If not it’s about working out which muscle is the problem (see my next blog post to help with this).<\/p>\n

    The muscles:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    The muscles of the knee include the quadriceps\/quads, hamstrings and calf muscles. Some other muscles that assist with the movements of the knee include the tensor fasciae latae, popliteus and the articularis genus muscles. The quads extend the leg at the knee and flex the thigh. The hamstrings help to extend the knee and slow down the quads preventing the locking out of the knee or that fast smashing action. All these muscles need to be working properly and at their correct length\/tension for the knee to function optimally.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    A key exercise to help with kneecap function:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Sit with your legs outstretched, toes to ceiling but relaxed feet, feet in parallel with knee caps towards the ceiling. Feel around your kneecap, if it is relaxed you should be able to wiggle it gently with your fingers. Stroke up the inside and outside of your leg from kneecaps upwards. These are the muscles we want to use, so you are priming them. Now can you do a knee cap dance? Using your quads in the front of your thigh pull your kneecaps up and fully relax afterwards. Place your hands under your knees for a few, on the top of your thigh and around your knee cap. What do you feel? You want the muscles in the front of the thigh to be doing the most work, so your knees do not push down into the floor when the kneecap is tensed. Start doing this exercise seated and progress to standing.<\/p>\n