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 Is there a doctor in the house (sports therapist would be good :) )?
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| Author | Topic: Is there a doctor in the house (sports therapist would be good :) )? |
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Amanda Member |
posted 04-25-2003 08:16 PM
 
...advice from someone who has overcome a similar problem would be helpful as well. I started having problems with my knees from running in cross-trainers instead of running shoes when I was 20. Since they healed, I don't have huge problems (they like to crack, but there is no pain involved), unless I try cycling. I really want to add cycling to my workouts because it would be cool to do a triathlon sometime (in the somewhat distant future...my daughter is too young for me to have time to train too heavily Part of the problem is probably that my quads won't grow (I'm a bit of a hardgainer and that's the most challenging part of my body to see a change in). So I know I need to continue working on gaining strength in my quads to stabilize my kneecap. Other than the usual leg exercises (I do different types of squats, leg presses, leg extensions, lunges and step ups for my quads) is there any other type of therapy that I can do at home that might be helpful? I've got to be careful with lunges (can't do them when I'm getting tired and sloppy or my form will be off and I'll hurt my knees), but so far, the only physical activity I've found that I can't do as well as I'd like to is cycling...so, so far as I know, nothing else that may be suggested will hurt me. |
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shawn single dad |
posted 04-28-2003 09:41 AM
I think your quad exercises are putting extra strain on your knees! I never have problems with my knees until winter rolls around and then I switch from running and cycling to indoors step work and other exercises you describe. After about two months of this my knees start to go sour. I then need to take anti-inflamatories (Aleve = naproxin - works well) and stop the heavy work on my knees for about two weeks for them to heal. A couple of years ago I was riding about 60 miles a week, then I switched to running about 10 - 15 miles per week, and now am trying to mix it up with some running and cycling, but my point is that I never have knee problems until I do the step exercise. Your body could be the total opposite of mine, but I would suggest you lay off of the quad exercises (and take some naproxin for a few weeks if your knees are chronically aching). |
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Amanda Member |
posted 04-28-2003 10:08 PM
Thanks for the input...I think we've got similar problems with different causes. The only thing that actually causes my knee to hurt (in a way that I haven't figured out how to control it) is cycling. I apparently have a weird problem...everyone I've asked has been stumped so far as advice goes and just say, "Don't do it..." Good advice, I suppose, but...LOL I think I'm just going to try pushing it and see what happens (continue with 7 minutes this week and up it to 10 next, etc). Maybe I'll be able to overcome it...or maybe I'll make it worse and totally crap my knees out. LOL I'll definitely keep some aleve on hand...thanks for that tip! Since you cycle, do you think that regular bikes are easier on your knees than stationary/recumbant bikes (due to being able to shift body position easier or something)? Or does cycling bother your knees at all? When you do step ups, do you alternate legs or do you go for reps on one leg? Going for reps on one leg will keep you from pounding your feet on the block (since you keep the leg you're working planted) and may be easier on your knees that way (if you don't do it that way already). That's part of the problem I have with walking lunges...I have to concentrate on not slamming my foot down and keeping my knee behind my toes (which is why I won't do them if I'm tired |
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shawn single dad |
posted 04-29-2003 08:34 AM
I have never had any injuries from cycling (except for an occasional crash). The only occasion I would use a stationary bike was when I was on the road for a short business trip. My guess is that there would be trade offs between stationary and road bikes. I use a mountain bike and ride on regular roads, paved trails and dirt trails, all with a lot of hill work, so I am frequently shifting position. When I use a stationary bike there is not much variation in position, which will overwork some areas and leave others neglected. But like I said, not a single non-crash injury. I switched to running (also with hill work) as my primary cardio and also never had any problems. I have recently started to mix up the two during the week. But a month into stair work and my knees start to ache. I use all kinds of movements, some alternating, some side stepping, running up flights of stairs, jumping jacks, etc. At the end of each winter I say I need to do something else instead of the step work because each year my knees feel worse and take longer to recover. But once I do recover I am fine and I can run and bike no problem. Obviously it is in the way I am doing it, but with cardio if I have to concentrate too much to keep form or else get injured then I don't think it is the right exercise for me. Next year I think I'll just go to a gym and use the track and stationary bikes. |
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Amanda Member |
posted 04-30-2003 11:21 AM
I might just have to borrow somebody's bike and see if it makes a difference in how long I can endure cycling. Why, oh WHY, do we have to age? The physical limitations that come along with it bite! LOL |
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hailey'smom Member |
posted 04-30-2003 12:51 PM
If you guys don't mind me butting in I have a cycling question. I want to get a bike and start riding a couple of nights a week, but I would have to get one of those seats that a baby (toddler) sits in on the back, my question is have you guys rode a bike with one of those seats? Is it hard to balance. I am not the most coordinating person in the word, but I am dying to ride a bike again and want to try it. |
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jg_38 Member |
posted 04-30-2003 01:05 PM
I have one of the pull in the back things. Mine also doubles as a carrier you cna puch when running, which I don't do. |
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shawn single dad |
posted 04-30-2003 01:33 PM
sorry, I haven't tried the carrier thing so don't know anything about it I think it is great that you want to buy a bike and start riding regularly, not only is it great exercise, it is also fun and a great diversion to just be out and about My suggestion about your purchase is to find a mid-line model at a true bike shop (Giant or Schwinn), take it out into the lot and give it a spin and see if you like the gear mechanism (I prefer the grip shift as opposed to the thumb shift, but to each his own). The bike shop will be a little more expensive than something like Walmart but with bicycles you truly get what you pay for when you go the cheap route; spring is actually a good time to buy becuase they are trying to get rid of last year's models. I know we all have our own predicaments, but I like to use my cardio time as a time to 'get away from it all', I do like to ride and walk with the kids, and every little bit helps as far as burning calories is concerned, I guess I am just trying to say that I hope you take some time for yourself |
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hailey'smom Member |
posted 04-30-2003 01:58 PM
Time for myself? What is that? I do not actually remember the last time I really had time to myself. My Grandma keeps Hailey during the day and she is really the only family member I have who is willing to babysit, and I don't really know anyone else who would either and lately Hailey's been a lot for my Grandma during the 8 hours a day that I am at work so it's too much for her to have her on week-ends. Plus I am tired of the rest of my family critisizing me every time she does babysit. I do have alone time in the evenings after Hailey goes to bed which was good until recently but now she has been staying up later and if I stay up any later than 10 I couldn't drag myself out of bed in the morning. Thanks for the advice about the bike, I will look into it, it will be a little while before I can buy one though anyway. |
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Amanda Member |
posted 04-30-2003 03:42 PM
I don't know from personal experience, but my mom and dad used to take us riding on bike seats when we were young...dad is coordinated, my mom is not...but she could still do it. LOL Make sure to get Hailey a helmet...she's going to be riding high up there. My parents had this cool buggy thing in Australia (we lived in a town of about 2,000 people...NOBODY drove anywhere unless they were driving out of town...very safe place for biking! LOL) that rolled on wheels behind the bike with us facing backwards (away from the bike). We were older when they used it (my brother was four, sister 6 and I would have been about 8). It was a lot of fun. If they would have crashed (they never did), we were close enough to the ground that we probably wouldn't have gotten anything more than scratches. They also make some pretty cool running strollers you might want to look into. I agree with Shawn on the free-time thing. My workouts serve many purposes...time to myself is one of them! I think our children might be a bit older than Hailey though. It gets a little easier to have "me time" when your children are old enough to be involved in things of their own (I'm going for a 45 minute outdoor run tonight while my daughter is in PRE...after that we're BOTH going running Lots of gyms have daycare facilities (some come with your membership, others I've seen charge you something minimal like $5/month for 2 hours of daycare per day). The older children always seem really happy in there...the ones that are 3 and under can be kinda iffy but it's worth a shot. I think it's great that you want to do something active with your daughter. Have fun! |
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ladybugss Member |
posted 04-30-2003 05:54 PM
I have the carrier that is hooked onto the bike. My daughter and I really like it. Getting started was the roughest part because your not used to the additional weight. After the first week or two, we became old pro's at it. Be careful turning on curbs and definitly get a helmet for you and the little one. If you get a helmet they like (i.e. with cool pictures on it), then they will love to put it one. Best of luck, Deb |
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shawn single dad |
posted 05-01-2003 08:24 AM
if you find a good deal but don't have the money then put the bike on layaway, you not only lock in a good deal but you also commit yourself to buying it |
). The problem is, if I cycle (on a stationary bike, normal or recumbant...scared to spend money on a bike for outside until I've got this problem under control) between 5-7 minutes my knees start to burn. Directly after that, they crack when I walk for a few minutes. If I go for longer than 7 minutes, my knees will start to hurt to the point that I can't work my legs at all for a week or so.All times are CT (US) | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
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