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Knee Pain

7 bytes added, 19:47, 21 March 2013
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* '''[[Massage]] the glutes.''' Weak glute muscles have been linked to knee pain<ref name="KneeHip"/><ref name="Glutes"/>, so massaging them may help them recover their strength and functionality.
* '''[[Electrical Muscle Stimulation]]'''. Strengthening the quad muscles using normal resistance training tends to put extra stress on the kneecap aggravating the injury. Resistance training the quad muscles tends to equally train all parts, rather than focusing on the [[VMO]]. The only known way to selectively strengthen the [[VMO]] is by the use of [[Electrical Muscle Stimulation]]<ref name="PFClinical"/>. See [[Electrical Muscle Stimulation]] for more details.
* '''Footwear'''. There are two types of footwear changes that may help with knee pain that are contradictory; minimalist footwear and orthotics. Personally, I am concerned that Orthotics may help with knee pain but cause other problems, and the use of orthotics goes against the evidence for minimalist footwear. However, there is more scientific evidence to support orthotics for resolving knee pain, even though orthotics may increase knee stress. My personal belief is that it is better to cautiously move towards [[Shoes| Minimalist Running Footwear]] rather than use orthotics, but I want to be clear that there is not clear scientific support for my belief.
** '''Minimalist shoes'''. There is good evidence that running shoes increase the stress on the knee<ref name="ref14"/>, and that a more minimalist approach to footwear may be appropriate. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence<ref name="KneeMinCaseStudies"/> that minimalist footwear helps with knee pain, but only limited science<ref name="KneeMinShoes"/> to back it up. Also, changing too quickly to minimalist footwear may result in [[Too Much Too Soon]] injuries. See '[[Are your running shoes injuring you]]?' for more details.
** '''Orthotics'''. Studies have shown that orthotics reduce knee pain, with a greater benefit shown in those that have greater pronation<ref name="KneeOrthWedge"/><ref name="KneeOrthIm"/><ref name="KneeOrthWAS"/>. However, there are concerns that orthotics may also increase the stress on the knee<ref name="KneeFootware"/>.