Well, okay, I don’t really know much about the knees of bees, so we’ll explore more about the knees of people: the structure and function; injury and pain; and treatment of our knees.

The knee is the largest joint in the body, working like a hinge to offer flexion and extension of the leg. The joint is found where the femur (thigh bone) meets the tibia (shin bone) and is strapped together with strong ligaments that help prevent side to side movement and rotation when the knee is straight.

The joint is protected by a capsule filled with synovial fluid for lubrication and menisci (cartilage) to cushion between the bones. Covering the joint is the patella (knee cap), a disc shaped bone embedded in the quadriceps muscle group which allows the muscles better leverage for powerful leg extension.

Most sudden, acute injuries to the knee involve the ligaments that support the joint. One common injury is a tear in the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), which happens when the foot is firmly planted, but the body continues to pivot. The knee twists and: Pop! Surgery is often recommended and successful. Other injuries may require “only” immobilization.

Therapeutic massage can not directly treat injuries to the bones  of the knee joint. However, it is a very effective part of rehabilitation to help restore flexibility, reduce pain, and prevent the effects of chronic pain, described below.

Chronic knee pain is pretty common. People who are overweight often struggle with knee pain due to the extra weight bearing on the joint. Overusing the thigh muscles, especially from athletics, can allow trigger points to develop which refer pain into the knee area. Muscles that have been underused (i.e. immobilization after an injury or surgery or lots of sitting ) can also develop trigger points – especially in the quadriceps – that refer pain to the knee.

Skilled massage can be used to discover and release the trigger points, reducing pain and increasing function. With a little instruction, clients can continue to self-treat trigger points to manage or eliminate pain. When your joints are less stiff, it is much easier to maintain a fitness routine, which can improve your quality of life.

Many people at some point in their lives will experience low back pain; some people live with low back pain every day. It is a major cause for missed days at work. Fortunately therapeutic massage performed with an understanding of the roots of the pain, can treat and in some cases eliminate some of the most stubborn pain in the low back.

So, from where does low back pain arise? Certainly it can have its origins in the low back, an area generally defined by the lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum. Low back pain can stem also from the hamstrings, especially in people with limited flexibility. The hamstrings are attached the ischial tuberosities (“sit bones”) which are indirectly part of the low back. Pain can also be referred to the low back from the anterior (front) hip muscles and even the abdominal muscles. For example, the psoas (pronounced “so-as”) muscle is attached to the anterior of the lumbar spine and if it is chronically tight or holds trigger points, can pull the vertebrae forward, causing discomfort or pain. Weak abdominal muscles can put one at risk for low back pain.

The causes of the tight muscles or trigger points that eventually cause pain are numerous. Injury from a car accident, a slip on the ice or an overzealous workout can cause pain. Loss of flexibility from too little exercise or movement can affect the low back. Back surgery can leave you with relief of one problem, but can also cause new pain. Back pain can also have its foundation in a skeletal problem or may be a symptom of a disease. Remember to include your physician in the dialogue about your pain treatment and be sure your massage therapist is aware of diagnostic testing you have had and their results.