Knee pain is one of the most common orthopedic problems that people face at one point or another in their lives. In 2006 the CDC featured data from a survey done asking the participants about joint pain. Of the people who participated, 30% were experiencing joint pain and 18% of them were experiencing knee pain. Interestingly, in recent years there has been a lot of research which correlates knee pain with weak and inflexible hip muscles. Many of us spend the majority of the day in a seated position. The human body is a magnificent machine which is constantly adapting and shaping itself to what we do most often. Someone who trains as a swimmer develops really strong back muscles and flexible shoulders, someone who trains as a soccer player develops powerful leg muscles and a lot of stamina, and someone who “trains” to sit a lot develops tight hip flexors and a weak gluteus maximus (AKA: Tush/Hiney). When tight hip flexors teams up with a weak “Hiney”, the pelvic girdle begins to tilt downward in our everyday posture causing the femur to change how it angles into our knee joint as we stand and walk. Overtime, this changed position of the femur causes other muscles surrounding the knee to compensate and tighten up which puts unwanted pressure on the knee and can ultimately lead to an unwanted knee injury. One of the best ways to counter this throughout your day is to stretch the hip flexor and strengthen the gluteus maximus (Hiney). Please enjoy the attached video demonstrating different ways to strengthen the “Hiney”!! =D
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