It often happens that I get a wave of clients that have knee pain or hip pain that when tested is attributed to the same muscle. Too many people assume knee pain means a problem with the joint. Sometimes the problem is the joint, but many times pain can be from angry muscles. Before I reveal which muscle is the culprit behind these particular clients’ pain, let me tell you about the role of scars.
Knowing my clients’ history is a huge factor in determining what to look for with the NeuroKinetic Therapy protocol. In two of the cases, both clients had surgical scars – each scar was several years old. Scars take priority because that tissue has a tendency to become overactive. The brain necessarily prioritizes healing of the area. But the issue is that the brain doesn’t let go once healing is complete. Then compensations begin: muscles become neurologically inactive while the scar tissue remains overactive. And when muscles can’t do their job effectively, it results in pain.
Knee Pain after Knee Surgery
The first case happens to be my Dad. My Dad had surgery on his knee for a meniscus tear 2 years ago. He recovered well, was faithful with his physical therapy, and has been pain-free with improved mobility. That is, until the outside of his knee started screaming in pain when he got out of bed in first thing in the morning and when he was walking up and down stairs.
When he approached me, he had already made an appointment with his orthopedist surely thinking another surgery might be required to alleviate the pain. I asked him this, “When you were doing physical therapy for your knee, did you massage your scar at all?”
He said “no.”
After a bit more discussion so I could get a clear picture of his knee pain symptoms, I recommended he massage the surgical scar on his knee and lightly activate his tensor fascia latae muscle.
The tensor fascia latae (TFL) is the small muscle red muscle not quite on the front of your hip, not quite on the side. The tendon that attaches to the TFL runs down the leg to the knee. It’s famously called the IT Band. Right where the IT Band attaches is where my Dad’s knee pain was.
My Dad is an excellent patient and did the homework I gave him. Homework: 3X/day 1. Gently massage surgical scar for 2 minutes. 2. Do standing straight leg raises on an angle until fatigue (not failure) to activate the TFL.
I told him that he should feel significantly less knee pain within 7 days of doing the corrective exercise homework. And sure enough, that’s what happened! He called me and said that I “worked a miracle.” His pain was gone.
He still went to his orthopedist appointment, but was told that no MRI was needed.
Hip Pain Caused by Scar
The next case study is my client, Earl. Earl was really looking forward to a relatively flat 50-mile hike with his friends. The hike was spread out over 5 days.
When Earl reported back to me about how his hike went, he felt defeated. His hip hurt so badly that he really couldn’t do the 10 miles per day he had planned.
Knowing that he had a scar on his left hip, I was curious to see if it was playing a role. Sure enough, it was.
I found the surgical scar on his left hip to be overworking and the right TFL to be underactive. It was the right side that hurt – not the surgical side. This is why it’s so important to do the muscle testing. Your muscles can respond in a multitude of ways. “Test, don’t guess.”
Earl has essentially the same homework as my Dad. Homework: 3X/day 1. Gently massage surgical scar for 2 minutes. 2. Do side-lying straight leg raises on an angle until fatigue (not failure) to activate the TFL.
Earl consistently did his homework for 2 weeks. That’s about how long it takes for the brain to rewire so that the pattern clears. Now he has his eyes set on another hike in the spring.
Help for Your Knee Pain or Any Pain
Because the pain can show up 1-3 years after surgery, it’s easy to overlook the scar tissue. Even I discovered that my deep core muscle (transverse abdominus, TVA) was underactive 2 years after my C-section.
There are NKT practitioners like me all over the world. If you have knee pain, low back pain, limited shoulder mobility, elbow pain, or hip pain that is affecting your enjoyment of movement and quality of life, please reach out and schedule an appointment to be assessed. You can feel better in as little as two weeks!
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Sara Lewis is a certified personal trainer and life coach with a degree in Exercise Science and advanced training in Neurokinetic Therapy. She helps women rebuild physical and emotional strength through science-based movement and mindset work.
Based in Northern Virginia, Sara works with women all over the country.
