Help with injuries? Exercises to Strengthen?

[Karenstar]

Hi just wanted to introduce myself. I live in Orlando FL and started taking Taekwondo about six months ago.
Sometimes I think I should of started many many years ago. I love it, but I always have something hurting, knees, back.
I was just wondering if anyone knows of any knee strengthening exercises?.
Anyone ever have a leg that swells and the old foot tingles.
Thanks.

[eXcessiveForce]

please explain your injuries. Did you have knee problems before TKD? Did you take a hit on the knee. Is there any type of movement or activity that causes the pain or makes it go away.

If I'd have to guess about the knee thing I'd say you are doing one of two things. One you are hyperextending the knee by trying to kick air too hard. or you are not pivoting. Those are the problems I usually see when people from other systems start complaining about knee pain.


As for you foot i would need more information. when did it start, how long has it lasted, when does it occur. Did you suffer some type of contact related injury to the leg, back, or foot.

How is your flexibility?

[Karenstar]

Hello:
Yes I have had previous knee injuries, so it doesnt take much to hurt them. That is why I was inquiring if there are exercises to build up these areas.
Also I am 50, but I always have exercised. I have great flexibility, I can do a split, stand and put my head on the floor. I try to take it easy on the jumping, because I know that is hard on the knees.
The problem with my leg swelling isn't related to the knee problem, I went for a MRI on my back, but they aren't sure about the numbness in my foot. I kind of thought it was a pinched nerve and was getting better, then this past weekend my one leg swelled up, and the tingling is almost continuous.
Thanks,

[eXcessiveForce]

There are exercises that strengthen the knee but it depends on what is the problem. Something can help some can hurt. I would need a bit more history to tell you what types of knee exercises you could do.

As for the tingling, have you noticed any loss of strength or decreased mobility? How long has it been tingling, what do you remember doing when the tingling started?

I have had more strange injuries than you can shake a stick at. Some of the injuries were actually aquired that way but I have taught adults most of my life and have learned quite a bit about how to work with some of those injuries.

[osopardo]

Be very careful with your knees. And also your ankles, elbows, wrists and any other joints that may be subjected to severe stress. Use elastic wraps, like Ace bandages, while training. Use massage, hot packs, dit dat jow, whatever it takes. Be very conciuos of proper form and technique. And make your doctor aware of what you're doing.

I have had no major injuries in the years I've studied martial arts until I started to age. The abuse I used to give my body when I was younger usually made me stronger, now it just works against me. It's just a fact of life. Be more patient and gentler to your body during training than what you see the younger students doing. At our age (I'm 51) we have to polish with a soft cloth, not scrub with a wire brush.

On the upside, one of my first sabunims was a 66 year old lady who had started TKD after she had retired. During her second year of training her doctors discovered that she had reversed the onset of osteoporosis with her TKD training. And I know that I'm in better shape than most of my contemporaries outside the dojang.

[Karenstar]

Thanks for the advice. It is hard not to do what everyone else is doing. I can keep up pretty well, but just can't do those jumps requiring both feet off the ground at once. The landing hurt to much and can just make me limp for a week if I land wrong.