My knees have a story to tell.
They have always been a little funny.
As early as my twenties I used to go hiking a lot and it was always my knees that I felt the most. They felt vulnerable and unstable, especially when I was going down steep slopes. This went on for years.
Then Covid and the forced inactivity came and my knees got significantly worse. I figured, I need more strength. So, I took a membership at the gym the moment I could and started working with a personal trainer.
At that point I knew that the front of my thighs, my quads, are very weak and have always been so. The PT saw that as well but the pain in my knees was preventing me from doing the exercises he thought will be most beneficial for me. So, I did as much as I could without going into pain.
But, as I was free of pain in other parts of my body, he pushed me to do more for other parts of my legs. After several months, my knees started hurting even more. And what’s worse, one of them started clicking in a very unusual and unpleasant way every time I bent it.
I was alarmed. I thought, oh my god, will I be able to hike again! And what about all the things I enjoy doing in my life that involves my knees? That’s pretty much everything!
I saw a specialist, they did a scan and told me the cartilage in my knee has worn off significantly and I can meet with a surgeon to talk about possible operation.
I never made that appointment to discuss further. Now I have my own programme for my knees. Although I am sure the condition of my cartilage is the same. I am largely pain free, my range of motion hasn’t been affected and the clicking is gone.
I am heavily leaning into my forties and I know the damage that I have accumulated in my joints over the decades will never disappear.
But, I learned several things from this story.
One, the body is one whole system (I obviously needed a reminder!). Any imbalances will have an effect on the system. Sooner or later, the body will cry out.
Two, change is possible when you go slow and steady. Regular, intelligent care is much better than big, dramatic exercise routines.
Three, ageing doesn’t necessarily mean constant decline. My knees now feel much more stable and reliable going down the stairs or down the hill than in my twenties!
If you, like me, have been living with gravity on this planet for a while, my guess is, you also have noticed some changes beginning to happen in your body. Maybe your knees too, or your hips, your shoulders, have a story to tell. And if you want to do something about it earlier rather than later, do join me in my online or in person yoga classes.
We can change the story.
