My occupation yields some unique chronic pains. I climb 300+ foot ladders 5-7 days a week. My co-workers and myself all experience elbow and knee pain. I know that push ups help counteract the constant pulling motion that is hurting my elbows but, how in the world to I help my knees?
Original Post by waspeater:
My occupation yields some unique chronic pains. I climb 300+ foot ladders 5-7 days a week. My co-workers and myself all experience elbow and knee pain. I know that push ups help counteract the constant pulling motion that is hurting my elbows but, how in the world to I help my knees?
Squats can help to strengthen the knee, deep and below parallel.
But they must be done correctly or you'll do yourself more damage!
I would see a physical therapist, and he he or she okays it, start a weight training program. It will strengthen your whole body including your elbows and knees.
The lateral motions in roller skating develop all 4 of the quadriceps, which will let all 4 work for you in your climbs. Right now you are probably only using the 2 on top - promoting an imbalance in the musculature which makes your knees hurt. Squats do pretty much the same thing as your climbs, I would look for something else. If you can't or don't like to skate, aquatic exercises (treading water using rotary motions of both arms and legs) will stretch and strengthen all the muscles.
I'm not a physical therapist or trainer, but am a long-time chronic pain patient and a certified industrial hygienist with some experience in ergonomics. It's all about developing a strong but balanced musculature.
Original Post by jsag636486549:
The lateral motions in roller skating develop all 4 of the quadriceps, which will let all 4 work for you in your climbs. Right now you are probably only using the 2 on top - promoting an imbalance in the musculature which makes your knees hurt. Squats do pretty much the same thing as your climbs, I would look for something else. If you can't or don't like to skate, aquatic exercises (treading water using rotary motions of both arms and legs) will stretch and strengthen all the muscles.
I'm not a physical therapist or trainer, but am a long-time chronic pain patient and a certified industrial hygienist with some experience in ergonomics. It's all about developing a strong but balanced musculature.
The four muscles that make up the quads do not fire separately, they fire together, so squats in fact work all four parts of the quad as well as the hamstrings and glutes.
Then I assume this was my PT's *for dummies* explanation for why squats hurt my knees but skating helps them.
Original Post by jsag636486549:
Then I assume this was my PT's *for dummies* explanation for why squats hurt my knees but skating helps them.
In the majority of cases a squat will only hurt your knees if you haven't been shown how to do them properly.
You probably aren't going deep enough if squats hurt your knees. If you go below parallel, then you will strengthen your knee. If you don't go deep enough, then you will create a muscle imbalance. You also want to do an opposing lift to strengthen your hamstrings, like dead lifts. If your quads and hamstrings are imbalanced, this can put torque on the knee.
Sounds like the OP really needs a trainer or PT to show him!
Maybe my PT took me off squats because of the torn cartilage in my knee? Would that make sense?
torn cartilage is definitely a concern for squats
I suggest the OP look for a physical therapist who works in a gym. Then he would have access to both someone who can provide exercises and rehab treatment and someone who can coach him on how to do the exercises that the therapist recommends.
Thank you, all of you. I'll try to see someone as soon as my 70hr a week schedual allows.
