PowerKnee Program

DareToBeVital.com  Knee pain is a very common problem.  There are many potential remedies but one that is often ignored is diet and exercise.  This led me to develop the PowerKnee Program.  It is a simple set of exercises that may help improve the pain associated with a variety of knee problems including arthritis.  The exercises help address quadriceps strength, hamstring flexibility and overall lower extremity fitness.    This program can be found at PowerKnee.com.  Pass on the link to your friends and colleagues.

POWERKNEE PROGRAM (See Videos below)
1.  QuadCrunch (TM):  Perform a set of 3 hold for 5 seconds, 3 times per day
2.  Hamstring Stretch:   Perform a set of 3, hold for 5 seconds, 3 times per day
3.  Exercise Bike:          Ride for 30 minutes, 3 times per week, Record calories

Also, maintain or work toward your ideal body weight.  Losing even a small amount of weight may improve your knee pain and function.

Get going today on the #PowerKnee Program.  Pass on the link to your friends and colleagues.

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DareToBeVital.com

DO NOT BEGIN ANY EXERCISE PROGRAM WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR.
THIS WEBSITE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.  CONSULT WITH HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS TO DETERMINE IF IT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

AM
TotalTendon

Improve how your DNA works by Riding an Exercise Bike

The Epigenetics of Exercise

Allan Mishra, MD

You can’t change your DNA but you can change how it works. DNA is the coding program for all of the enzymes and proteins that make your body function. 

Epigenetics is a rapidly evolving area of science that studies how modifications on or around your DNA alter the production of specific molecules. Your DNA is fixed but how it works is affected by the proteins and chemical groups that surround the famous double helix.  You can think of epigenetics as variable signposts on the winding tracks of your DNA that either suppress or promote specific genes.  The proteins and chemical groups have fancy names like a “histone” or a “methyl group”.  These "epigenetic" markers don’t change your DNA but rather change how it interprets the underlying genetic code.  They can turn on or off a section of DNA and dramatically affect YOU.  The science is called “Epigenetics” and in 2015 and beyond, it will alter the way we all approach medicine and wellness.  Multiple articles about epigenetics have appeared in Time Magazine, the New York Times and many other elite publications.

Exercise is one way you can change how your DNA expresses itself via epigenetics in a positive fashion.  A recently published study required people to ride an exercise bike with one leg for 45 minutes four times per week for three months.  Before and after the exercise trial, the subjects had a muscle biopsy of both legs.  The researchers found "health enhancing adaptations" were induced by the "physiologic stimulus" of riding an exercise bike via epigenetic mechanisms in the leg that did the pedaling but not in the one that did nothing.  (Ref: Lindholm et al 2014)  The results are meaningful for anyone who wants to stay in shape and be active.  Importantly, the inherited proportion of physical performance has been shown to be about 50%. Therefore, about 50% of overall physical performance is dependent upon training and lifestyle.  (Ref:  Ehlert etal 2013)  This means that we are at least partially in control of how our bodies work and perform.  We can't blame all of our health problems on bad genes.  

Exercise has also been found to have positive effects on the central nervous system, the  cardiovascular system, the aging process, the prevention of type 2 diabetes and the prevention of cancer all via epigenetic mechanisms.  (Ref:  Ntanasis-Stathopoulos et al, 2013)

So, dust off the exercise bike in the garage, make time in your schedule to get to the gym, or join Soul-Cycle in 2015.

Specific immediate action items:  Consider starting your exercise routine with QuadCrunches and Hamstring Stretches.  They are simple exercises that can be done anywhere.  For the bike, try 20-30 minutes 3 times per week with moderate resistance.

Remember, exercise can literally change how your DNA functions and potentially save your life.

AM

TotalTendon

ALWAYS consult your own physicians before beginning any exercise program.

QuadCrunch (TM) The Best Exercise for Your Knee

Quadriceps (Quad) muscle activation is crucial for both athletes and patients.  It is the foundation of any knee muscle development plan or rehabilitation protocol.  Too often neuromuscular activation is ignored or incompletely addressed.  

The QuadCrunch exercise is a simple and effective way to enhance muscle activation and to increase muscle tone.  If executed consistently, the entire quadriceps muscle and especially the VMO (Vastus Medialis Qbliqus) will be more functional.  

The QuadCrunch can be done alone or in combination with a variety of other leg stretches and exercises.  It can be done to simply improve knee strength or it can be used for patients with a variety of knee related problems such as arthritis, kneecap instability, tendonitis or after surgery.  

The video below outlines how and why the QuadCrunch can help both athletes and patients.

QuadCrunch Video
Try a set of 3, Hold for 5 Seconds Each, 5 Times per day

Please share this post with anyone who would like to enhance their knee function and post any comments below.

AM

TotalTendon.com

Please do not start any exercise program without consulting your physician first.

Best Overall Exercise: PowerKnee Bike Program (Knee OA Part 4)

The PowerKnee Bike Program uses an upright exercise bike to work out all of your leg muscles.  It is the best overall exercise for knee pain and arthritis because it can do so much for you without significant impact on the joint.   By simply riding the exercise bike for 30 minutes 3 times per week you can also improve your cardiovascular fitness and burn a bunch of calories.  See the video below for details.

Record the calories you can burn in 30 minutes and compare your results week by week for a month.  If you are consistent in applying the PowerKnee Bike Program you have an excellent chance of decreasing your pain and improving your knee function.

As always, check with your doc before beginning any exercise program.

AM
TotalTendon

Best Initial Knee Stretch "The Hammy" (Knee OA, Part 3)

Your hamstring tendons start on your pelvis and insert behind and below your knee. In almost every person, these tendons tighten with time.  Stretching your hamstring tendons is one of the best exercises you can do for your knee and back.  One study found "individuals with and without osteoarthritis of the knee are able to demonstrate immediate beneficial adaptations to a stretching intervention."
Reference

I recommend do a set of 3 hamstrings stretches, 3 times PER DAY.  Stretching multiple times per day is better than stretching only once a day or not at all.  You may be surprised with your improved flexibility if you are consistent about stretching.  See the video below for a simple stretch that can done anywhere.  I call it the "Hammy Stretch".



Start by placing your leg on a step, or low table.  Keep your back straight and your toes pointed toward the ceiling.  Then, simply hinge forward at your waist.  You will likely feel the stretch in the back of your thigh, knee and calf.

Consistency is the key to improvement.  Try this simple exercise and it will help your overall knee health and improve your ability to straightening your knee.  Hamstring stretching is like sunscreen, it is best to start early and continue to stretch throughout your life.

As always, check with your own doctor before beginning any exercise program.

Next time, we reveal the simple yet highly effective way to strengthen all of the muscle of your legs.

AM
TotalTendon

Best Initial Knee Exercise: The QuadCrunch (TM) (Knee OA Part 2)

There are dozens of knee exercises you can do to strengthen the muscles around your joint.  One crucial muscle to strengthen is the quadriceps or "Quad".  Too often, however, this muscle simply does not cooperate.  We need a simple way to get started.  We need an exercise than can be done anywhere, anytime without any equipment.  Now, we have one, the QuadCrunch (TM).  

The QuadCrunch (TM) helps initiate and reinforce the contraction of the most important component of the Quad---the Vastus Medialis Obliquus or VMO for short.  

QuadCrunch (TM) Video

Simply, straighten out your leg and place your fingers over the inside portion of your thigh just above your knee.  This is where the VMO lives.   With your leg fully straight and your heel on the ground, push your leg toward the ground and try to contract the muscle.  If you are successful, you will see your kneecap move.  The reason to put your fingers on your muscle is to help your brain know it is contracting the muscle.  This helps reinforce the contraction.  

I recommending doing a set of 5 contractions, holding each contraction for 5 seconds, 5 times per day.  

This elementary exercise is often ignored but serves as the foundation for more advanced strengthening programs.  It can be helpful for people who want to strengthening their legs for any reason.  It may also be useful for patients with knee arthritis, patellofemoral pain, knee tendonitis and even meniscus tears.  (Always check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program)

Good luck and get started today.  Remember, this exercise can be done in shorts, pants and almost anywhere.  Simply place your fingers on your quad muscle and straightening your knee with your heel on the ground.  It is best if your are sitting on the edge of a chair.  

It is best to record how many sets per day you do.  That will help you be compliant with the exercise.  We will discuss exercise compliance more in a later post.  

Post any questions, comments or suggestions below.

AM

TotalTendon

The Best Initial Treatment for Knee Arthritis (Part 1)

What is the best initial treatment for knee arthritis?

The answer is diet and exercise.

It isn't easy but diet and exercise are highly effective at reducing pain and improving function.  In a recent study of about 400 patients the combination of diet and exercise decreased pain scores by 45%.  This is impressive because most injection therapies improve pain by 30-40% and often only last 6 months.  This study showed benefits up to 18 months.   Patients who also completed both a diet and exercise program were able to walk 136 feet more than patients who only dieted during a 6 minute walking test. (Messier et al JAMA 2013)  This is a simple and inexpensive way to treat a problem that affects 10 million Americans and millions more worldwide.

Too often patients and clinicians fail to select this strategy.  Patients often do not recognize how overweight they are and may even get angry if their physician points it out to them.  Physicians lack the time and tools to appropriate help patients begin an diet and exercise program.  With 69% of Americans either overweight or obese, it is very likely that weight reduction should be part of most knee arthritis treatment plans.

So, here are some suggestions to get started.
(Always check with your own physician before beginning any program.)

Give your knee a pain rating from 0-10 overall as a baseline measurement.

1.  Weight yourself and calculate your Body Mass Index.  (BMI Calculator)
     Be honest about the weight.  Record your weight daily.

2.  Set a goal to lose 5 pounds in two months and KEEP IT OFF.

3.  Lose weight by trying the One Less Diet (TM)
     One less dessert, one less sugary soda, one less beer, one less bagel, etc
     Use any other safe and effective means to lose weight.

Weekly, update your pain rating for your knee.  After two months, compare your baseline weight and pain to your new weight and pain.  You may find that if you simply lose weight your knee will begin to feel better.  The side effects of losing weight will also be good for your heart and your waistline.

In the next post, we will discuss a simple exercise plan.

AM
TotalTendon

Losing Weight Helps Knee Arthritis Pain

Knee arthritis has no cure, but one treatment consistently decreases pain---Weight Loss.  It is not simple but it is effective.

What stops patients with knee arthritis from losing weight?
1.  No clear, simple program that produces weight loss and improves function.
2.  Lack of will power
3.  No consistency

Here are a few simple tips:
1.  Eat one less bite of everything. (The one-less diet)
2.  Drink less soda and alcohol
3.  Exercise

But you say, I can't exercise because my knees hurt.  I cannot count the number of times I have heard that one.  Instead of complaining.......
1.  Try stretching to start
2.  Try water aerobics
3.  Try an exercise bike (30 minutes 3x/week)

Hamstring Stretch


Set a goal of losing 3 pounds to start.  You knees may feel like you lost up to 15 pounds because of the joint forces that occur especially when you go up and down stairs.

Always check with your own doctor prior to initiating any program.

Send me any tips on weight loss and arthritis:  @bloodcure on twitter.

AM
TotalTendon


Published articles supporting weight loss for arthritis
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23484617
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22401872