{"items": [{"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/622695346412?comment_id=622697038022", "anchor": "fb-622697038022", "service": "fb", "text": "@Gretchen: Pain was usually on the outside, sometimes on the inside, not always in the same place. My feet were generally turned out about 45 degrees both when walking and standing. How would I know if my hips were tight? (A hip flexor stretch [1] doesn't feel like stretching to me, so I think not, but maybe that's not the question?) My hamstrings are very tight, as are those of several other people in my family. No back pain. The stretches I do are standing hamstring [2]. I do three exercises, each ten times on each side, then repeated. Lifting my leg while lying on my back, lifting my leg while lying on my side, lifting my leg bent 90 degrees while lying on my side.
[1] http://www.mayoclinic.com/.../fsm22_hipflexorstretch.jpg
[2] http://www.topendsports.com/.../standing-hamstring...", "timestamp": "1375442956"}, {"author": "Mac", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/622695346412?comment_id=622698180732", "anchor": "fb-622698180732", "service": "fb", "text": "Ham string sttetches and danci.g were the biggest improvements for me.", "timestamp": "1375444804"}, {"author": "Beth", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/622695346412?comment_id=622710795452", "anchor": "fb-622710795452", "service": "fb", "text": "One of the earliest signs that I had an iron and potassium deficiency was a dull knee pain that made it difficult to walk. Such a relief once we knew what it was. Did you start taking vitamins around that time?", "timestamp": "1375455242"}, {"author": "Paul", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/622695346412?comment_id=622718295422", "anchor": "fb-622718295422", "service": "fb", "text": "Jeff, I have a very similar problem with my knees; several years ago I went hiking with a friend, and the next day I could barely walk and missed a Dawn Dance. I run regularly, which didn't help, but I don't think that was the main issue because my knees have improved immensely and I still run (with the usual heel strike, not toe strike), though my knees are a little tender, but not painful, after running. I've changed several things. I don't stamp or jump, and I avoid steep inclines (stairs, or hiking up steep trails). I don't do the exercises you suggest, but I think they would help. Thanks to all the commenters for suggestions and exercises. And if my knees take a turn for the worse, I'll certainly try running toe strike.", "timestamp": "1375460829"}, {"author": "Jenny", "source_link": "https://plus.google.com/111419027123995253579", "anchor": "gp-1375462576723", "service": "gp", "text": "Every time I get injured I change a bunch of things. When it gets better I'm terrified to change any of them back :-) On the other hand, I get very few repeat injuries. Risk averse is not always a bad thing. ", "timestamp": 1375462576}, {"author": "Brad", "source_link": "https://plus.google.com/116032343632043704302", "anchor": "gp-1376328862048", "service": "gp", "text": "I've had similar experiences twice in my life. Most recently, I had a torn meniscus in my left knee that made it very painful to walk (though bicycling was no problem). The doctor I saw recommended living with the pain for a few years to see if it would heal itself, and it did. Surgery was an option but he said that the surgery sometimes makes things worse so it was worth seeing if the problem would go away on its own. I was grateful for that advice, although \"living with the pain\" was difficult; it felt like someone was putting a knife into my knee and twisting it with every step.\n
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\nAbout 15 years ago I developed a severe case of thoracic outlet syndrome, a repetitive strain injury that's actually much more common than carpal tunnel syndrome, from using the mouse on my computer. I couldn't use the computer for more than 5 minutes without my right hand going numb and turning white. I did so many things, it's impossible to know which one (or which combination of things) eased my symptoms: I switched to voice-recognition software for my work, I had five years of weekly Alexander Technique lessons, four years of weekly massage therapy sessions, a bunch of stretching and strengthening exercises from a physical therapist, and I had a lift installed in my left shoe after one of my physical therapists observed that my left leg was half and inch shorter than my right (which was verified by x-ray). \u00a0After five years of all this I was able to use my right hand normally again, although even now I can only use my mouse left-handed; if I use it with my right hand my symptoms start coming back after a few days. Sometimes I wonder if this is just something that needed five years to heal, and all my interventions had no actual effect.\n
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\nI think the body in general has a powerful ability to heal itself, and I've had a number of problems come and go over the years with no treatment and no change in my behavior. Sometimes it seems that patience may be the most effective medicine.", "timestamp": 1376328862}, {"author": "Alpa", "source_link": "https://plus.google.com/104723814840831607662", "anchor": "gp-1395855505811", "service": "gp", "text": "What is toe-strike?", "timestamp": 1395855505}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://plus.google.com/103013777355236494008", "anchor": "gp-1395932953629", "service": "gp", "text": "@Alpa\n\u00a0When you're walking you can either put your toe or your heel down first. These are called \"toe-striking\" and \"heel-striking\". \u00a0When you heel-strike your foot isn't in a position to absorb the shock, so it affects your knees more than when you toe-strike.", "timestamp": 1395932953}]}