Knee Ligament Injury

The Symptoms and Treatments of Knee Ligament Injury

The knee is a very complex and typically, weak joint of the body. It consists of a complicated arrangement of muscles, tendons and ligaments that may be particularly inclined to break, given its weight bearing responsibilities. Damage to this joint, significantly a ligament, can lead to extreme pain, immobility and a protracted restoration period. There are a number of treatments available, nevertheless, permanent ache and damage could consequence with essentially the most serious knee ligament damage.

A ligament injury is usually preceded by a 'popping' or 'snapping' sound along with an extreme pain in the area. The knee will most likely develop into unstable and start to swell. There are four ligaments within the knee: the medial collateral ligament, the lateral collateral ligament, the anterior cruciate ligament and the posterior cruciate ligament. Forwards movement is managed by the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and it's this that causes many severe and long-lasting problems for athletes. The ACL connects the femur and tibia by way of the knee and prevents over-extension of the tibia. This ligament is extremely important for sports by which sudden and fast changes of direction are needed. Tearing the ACL can have critical consequences where complete mobility is required, resembling in sports like soccer and rugby.

Damage to the ACL afflicts many sports people as a result of rotating forces exerted on the knee as the foot remains on the bottom and fixed. An out of doors force comparable to a kick or falling on the knees also can trigger this type of damage. Regardless of the a lot publicised injuries of many footballers, it is ladies who are much more likely to maintain an anterior ligament injury. Whilst the rationale for this is not sure, it's thought differences in muscle stability could play a part.

In addition to the plain symptom of a 'popping' noise, there are a number of symptoms of injury to the ligament. As with all knee ligament harm, the realm will excruciatingly painful. Swelling could occur immediately and this may very often be extensive. It must be famous however, that some injuries lead to extra refined swelling, at a while after the preliminary injury. There'll usually be a weak spot within the knee which may be masked later by swelling.

If any of these symptoms come up while taking part in a sport, the participant ought to immediately stop. The R.I.C.E principle should instantly be instigated, whereby relaxation, ice, compression and elevation are utilized to alleviate the immediate symptoms. Medical help must be sought as quickly as possible. A health care provider might order an MRI scan if a particular diagnosis cannot be given. For individuals who should not particularly energetic, such as the aged, surgery is rare. As an alternative, a rehabilitation program will be began, along with compression and workouts to strengthen the muscles across the knee.

Athletes, or those with extra active lifestyles, will more than doubtless bear reconstructive surgery. This may occasionally mean the repair of the damaged ligament or its substitute with tendon from one other area of the body. Rehabilitation after serious knee ligament harm will usually take a minimum of six months nevertheless it has been recognized for restoration instances to stretch as much as a 12 months, relying on the preliminary severity of the injury.

Anterior Knee Pain - Also Known As Runner's Knee

Pain at the front of the knee is known as anterior knee pain. It is also called runner's knee. This kind of pain stems from a softening of the knee's cartilage, or a patellofemoral joint (which links the kneecap to the thigh bone) misalignment.

Considerations for Anterior Knee Pain

The doctor will undertake a thorough physical examination of the affected area to assess the condition of the knee. Other tests may also be ordered to determine other disorders like structural or connective tissue deterioration:

• Joint X-Ray


• Joint CT Scan


• MRI scan of the knee

Causes of Anterior Knee Pain

A pronation and lateral (away from the centre) pulling of the patella is the most common cause of anterior knee pain. This results in a misalignment of the muscles and connective tissues that move with the knee.

This ailment is also a result of a softening of the cartilage underneath the patella (chondromalacia patellae), arthritis, or a constriction of the knee's inner lining during motion (synovial impingement).

Symptoms of Anterior Knee Pain

The first symptoms of anterior knee pain are exhibited in the form of pain underneath the patella (kneecap) and along the both sides of the kneecap, especially when bending or sitting for long periods of time.

Runner's knee symptoms can also result in pain from running down an incline. It worsens during all running motions, and finally becomes persistent pain despite ceasing to run.

First Aid in the Treatment of Anterior Knee Pain Includes:

• rest


• refraining from running until pain abates


• stretching exercises (hamstrings and quadriceps)


• strengthening exercises (may be prescribed by a sports medicine specialist for the muscle that impels kneecap movement to the front and centre)


• cycling or similar exercises (if they can be performed without pain)


• special shoe inserts and support devices, or orthotics (to inhibit further injury after rehabilitation)

After healing from the disorder, it is advisable not to do deep knee bends or use the knee excessively until all symptoms disappear.

Calling Your Doctor

If pain symptoms persist despite rest and rehabilitation, consult your primary health care provider.

Prevention of Anterior Knee Pain

It is also recommended to perform proper warm-up and cool-down stretching before or after exercising for the prevention of sports-related injuries.

Pain - What is the Right Knee Pain Treatment for Your Knee Pain?

Pain because you injured your knee playing soccer? Are you over 50 and experiencing osteoarthritis pain in your knee? Perhaps you simply stood up incorrectly and twisted your knee? Knee pain, no matter what you did to cause it, can be excruciatingly painful.

Most knee injuries and conditions can be treated with conservative knee pain therapy. Knee pain therapy can easily be conducted at home; however, it is very important to see your doctor in order to determine the correct knee pain therapy for you.

Knee Pain Therapy Medications

Knee pain therapy medications include:

o Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are painkillers, such as Advil and Motrin. These medications can help alleviate some of the pain and inflammation caused by injury and osteoarthritis in the knee. Most NSAIDs can be bought over the counter, without a prescription. DO NOT use aspirin.

o Opioids. If the pain is unbearable, some doctors may prescribe opioids as part of a patient's knee pain therapy. Opioids, otherwise known as narcotics, are usually offered for a brief period of time due to dependency issues and negative side effects. They are superior at masking the pain, but do not help reduce inflammation. Great care must be taken if opioids are prescribed for your knee pain therapy.

o Corticosteroids. When corticosteroids are used as part of your knee pain therapy, they help minimize inflammation, therefore relieving much of the pain. Corticosteroids can be ingested orally, or injected into the site of inflammation. Corticosteroids can offer immediate pain relief; however serious side effects have been confirmed, such as thinning of the cartilage and ligament weakening. Corticosteroids must be used with care.

The usual medical explanations for knee pain include arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, ligament injury, and join cartilage deterioration. MRI's and other tests often seem to substantiate such diagnoses and while good indicators they are not the holy grail and too often lead to mistaken diagnoses.

Even in the absence of objective evidence, knee pain alone many times is assumed to be proof that the joint itself is in trouble. This has lead to needless surgery when in fact the surgery was more than likely unnecessary in a large number of cases. Always get a 2nd and 3rd opinion where you knee is involved to have sufficient information to make the "right" decision. After all, it is you knee...and your pain.

Alternative Treatments

You should also consider alternative treatments as your knee pain therapy. In 1997, a National Institutes of Health consensus panel determined that acupuncture can actually help treat many types of knee pain, including the pain caused from knee osteoarthritis.

In the meantime, search for Knee Pain Info on the Web to find the answers to more of your knee pain therapy questions, and always make sure you read more than one opinion, or rely on no less than two opinions, including that of your doctor. A 2nd opinion is always useful in helping you make the right treatment choice to eliminate your pain.

Perfect Tennis Serve - 3 Tips To Frustrate Your Opponents With Your Serve

The tennis serve is a vital stroke in tennis as you are in control of the point. You could give them all away to your opponent and hinder your chances of winning or you can knock out consistent, accurate, powerful and all round deadly serves putting your opponent into defensive mode and putting you in control! You don't have this type of serve (if you did why would you be reading this?) but by simply following the simple tips below you can have the perfect tennis serve that will DEMAND respect from your opponent.

Tip 1 - Master The Footwork

Some people think that the footwork isn't that important but it is! Just like any other sport footwork (or stance) is important. In tennis the stance will provide you with stability and power!

Your stance should be facing your opponent side-on, your feet shoulder width apart, knees bent and front foot away from the baseline.

As mentioned this stance will give you the power and stability and it will also prepare you for the serve return from your opponent.

Tip 2 - Practice

Practice makes perfect so go and practice! There are two ways you can go and practice...

• Going out and hitting the ball over and over again (a good method but a lot of risk with injury)


• Tennis serve drills are drills (not only fun but very efficient with teaching you how to serve properly)

Tip 3 - Add Some Finishing Touches

Once you have learnt how to create the perfect serve why not add some finishing touches. By this I mean adding some topspin or an American kick that will really frustrate your opponent beyond belief if executed properly.

Pain Relief - The Psoas Muscle Can Be the Key

What if I told you that this muscle you've probably never heard of could be the key to releasing your knee pain, your ankle pain, your shoulder pain and your neck pain? It may be hard to believe, but by the end of this article you will understand why releasing this muscle can relieve pain and tightness from our feet to our heads. Releasing the psoas can be the key to opening up the body and allowing it to expand and relax.

You have two psoas muscles, one on each side. The psoas is your hip flexor. It is attached to every vertebrae of your lumbar (low) spine. It descends into the pelvis and joins with the iliacus muscle in your hip socket and then dives down to attach to your femur in the back, near your sits-bone. It is the muscle that lifts your leg when you walk, run, and bike. It also does a little bit of rotation of the leg and can bring the low back closer to the pelvis and legs. If tight it will pull the legs up and into the hip sockets at a slight rotation. It will also pull the back down and forward, compressing the joints and tilting the pelvis. This pull can cause repercussions in the knees, feet, shoulders and neck. If I compared you body to a bicycle wheel, the psoas would be the center, and if the center gets warped the outside will get warped too.

When the psoas is tight it will rotate the femur. Of course we walk with our feet straight which puts a twist where? That's right...the joint that really doesn't like to twist. The knee. It has been my experience that knee problems that aren't caused by blunt force (i.e. a ski accident), are often a result of a chronically tight psoas muscle. And even when there is a traumatic reason for a knee injury, releasing the psoas can ease extra strain on the knee and result in faster healing and decreased pain. I have a regular massage client who is in his 50's, in good shape, plays basketball and golf, but was plagued by pain in his left knee. He even thought about quitting basketball, but after releasing his psoas and maintaining that release, (I see him every six weeks or so), he really has no knee pain and has been able to continue and even increase his exercise regime.

The psoas can also pull the whole upper body down toward the center. Our body is all interconnected. One thing pulls another thing, which pulls another thing. A tight psoas can pull the shoulders down and in, which can cause everything from sore upper back muscles, to arthritis, bursitis, bone spurs, and torn rotator cuff muscles. This shoulder pull will also affect the neck, pulling it down and forward.

The psoas muscle is the muscle that pulls us into a fetal position. We tend to hold a lot of trauma there, and in our bellies in general. This is one reason we often have trouble with this muscle. Of course sitting all the time doesn't help either. We spend much more time in flexion, (at our computers, in our cars) than we do in extension. When our psoas gets stuck in flexion it will tilt our whole pelvis and puts extra stress on our spine which we tend to feel in our neck and low back. This cronic pelvis tilt can also cause tight hamstrings, which you can never seem to stretch. You can't stretch them because they're already stretched do to the pelvic tilt.

There is hope! There are many wonderful ways to release your psoas muscle. You could see a massage therapist that is comfortable working on the psoas (just ask them before you make the appointment). There are great stretches to be done and something called creative rest where you lie on your back with your feet up on a chair and allow your low back to fall on the floor and your hip sockets to release. Yoga and Pilates can be effective ways to work on the psoas.

Being successful in decreasing our pain and stiffness lies in treating the cause, not just the symptoms. Once you release the pull (which is often the psoas) everything else can release. Now that you know what the problem might be you will be much more successful at finding solutions.

Graves Disease And Rheumatoid Arthritis

Do you have Graves disease? If so, then you must be suffering from rheumatoid arthritis as well. Graves disease and rheumatoid arthritis are two diseases that are linked to each other. One common symptom of patients suffering from this disease is a fine tremor in their hands and fingers. Incidentally, this is also a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.

Graves disease is an autoimmune disease. It is a health problem wherein a person's immune system attacks the thyroid glands. And consequently, it causes the same gland to produce too much thyroxin hormone. It is usually referred to as hyperthyroidism's most common form.

The similarity between the two is the fact that they are both autoimmune diseases. Like Graves disease, rheumatoid arthritis is a problem with the immune system, causing chronic inflammation on the joints. A person with rheumatoid arthritis has his joints being attacked by the antibodies, thinking that they are detrimental to the body processes.

But of course, either the thyroid glands or the ligaments of the joints they aren't harmful to one's health at all. But both of them moves the body's immune system to think and work otherwise. The antibodies, instead of attacking bacteria and viruses, end up destroying the glands and the parts that are needed by the body to function.

As such, Graves disease and rheumatoid arthritis [http://graves-disease-treatment.blogspot.com/2007/09/best-treatment-for-graves-disease.html] should be treated and cured early on. Because if not, a number of other health complications can be expected. And everybody wants to keep a healthy body. Therefore, it is advisable that you consult with a doctor at once if and when you experience any symptom related to these diseases.

How a American Civil War Invention Is Used Today for Relief From Osteoarthritic Knee Pain

As an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in knee problems the majority of my patients suffer from osteoarthritis and although knee replacement surgery is generally successful, most patients who are referred to me are not suitable for surgery. These patients are managed with conservative treatment, the main components of which are painkillers and anti-inflammatories, weight loss and exercise.

Each treatment has its own advantages and disadvantages. Painkillers can be very effective in reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis and for long term use in chronic conditions, paracetamol is the safest drug. Adding an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen significantly improves the effectiveness of the medication.

However, there are risks associated with long term use of anti-inflammatories. Stomach ulcers with bleeding, kidney failure and cardiac problems are all associated with anti-inflammatory use. Side effects can be decreased by using the anti-inflammatory as a cream which is applied to the knee but in general, I have found that many of my patients simply do not like the idea of having to take long term medication in any form for their knee pain.

Weight loss is very effective in those patients who are overweight but as anyone who is overweight knows, it is not easy to lose weight and many patients often cannot manage this. Exercise has a dual benefit of encouraging weight loss and releasing 'feel good' endorphins which can act as a natural painkiller. However, exercising the knee is difficult when the knee is painful.

What is needed for successful conservative treatment is a form of pain relief which is not drug based, is easy and convenient to use and effective in managing patients symptoms of Osteoarthritis. In fact, such a treatment has been available for over 150 years!

In 1862 during the American civil war a technique was discovered that is becoming increasingly available today as a method of treating pain. With no available anaesthetics for battlefield use it was discovered that injured soldiers with painful amputation stumps could obtain pain relief by having the painful stump 'drummed' with drumsticks at a particular frequency. This produced pain relief lasting for many hours. By 1865 nearing the end of the conflict, drummer boys, when not leading the troops into battle, were employed to provide pain relief in field hospitals using this technique.

The mechanism by which this effect was produced would not be discovered for another 100 years.

It was only in the early 1960′s that two scientists Merzack and Wall discovered the process and named it the 'gate theory of pain'. They found that stimulating the vibration sensors in the body causes the pain signal to be blocked on its way to the brain, producing a pain relieving effect. This is due to the spinal column being unable to carry both the pain signal and the vibration signal together. The introduction of the vibratory signal 'closed the gate' to the pain signal.

With this in mind I explored using vibration therapy for the management of knee pain in my patients. We used a commercially available vibration therapy device which was designed for use on the elbow and adapted it for the knee. We then tested it with a large group of patients in a clinical trial. The results were impressive. Some patients who suffered with osteoarthritis pain obtained complete pain relief without using drugs and many subsequently improved so much that they reduced their pain reliving medication to much safer levels. We also saw a reduction in stiffness of the knee joint and greater mobility which enabled many patients to go back to work, to take up gentle exercise and start weight loss programmes and to generally increase quality of life.

Although not a miracle cure for osteoarthritis, the trial showed that vibration therapy can allow patients to delay the need for a knee replacement and reduce their medication use, giving greater safety and increased health benefits. I now use vibration therapy as a significant part of my conservative management programme for patients.

THE Ministry of Prayer Has Been the Secret And Power of All of God's People

"Prayer should be the breath of our breathing, the thought of our thinking, the soul of our feeling, and the life of our living, the sound of our hearing, the growth of our growing." Prayer in its magnitude is length without end, width without bounds, height without top, and depth without bottom. Illimitable in its breadth, exhaustless in height, fathomless in depths and infinite in extension."-HOMER W. HODGE

"THE ministry of prayer" has been the peculiar characteristic of all of God's people (saints). This has been the secret of their power. The energy and the soul of their work has been the closet. The need for help outside of man being is so great. Because man's natural failure to always judge kindly, justly, and truly, and to act the Golden Rule, so prayer is enjoined by Christ to enable man to act in all these things according to the Divine will. By prayer, the ability is secured to feel the law of love, to speak according to the law of love, and to do everything in harmony with the law of love.

God is our Father, so God will help us. We need God's good things to help us to "do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before God." We have to have Divine help to act brotherly, wisely, nobly, to judge truly and charitably. God's help to do all these things, in God's, way is secured by prayer. "Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you."

In the wonderful productivity of Christian graces and duties, the result of giving ourselves wholly to God, as recorded in the twelfth chapter of Romans, we have the words, "Continuing instant in prayer," preceded by "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation," followed by, "Distributing to the necessity of the (people) saints, given to hospitality." Paul as a result writes as if these rich and rare graces and unselfish duties, so sweet, bright, generous, and unselfish, had for their center and source the ability to pray.

This is the same word which is used in the prayer of the disciples which ushered in Pentecost with all of its rich and glorious blessings of the Holy Spirit. In Colossians, Paul presses the word into the service of prayer again, "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving." The word in its background and root means strong, the ability to stay, and persevere steadfast, to hold fast and firm, to give constant attention to.

In Acts, chapter six, it is translated, "Give ourselves continually to prayer." There is in it constancy, courage, unflinching perseverance. It means giving such marked attention to, and such deep concern to a thing, as will make it obvious and controlling.

This is an advance in demand on "continue." Prayer is to be nonstop, without intermission, diligently, no check in desire, in spirit or in act. The spirit and the life must always be in the attitude of prayer. The knees may not always be bended, the lips may not always be speaking with words of prayer, but the spirit is always in the act and communication of prayer.

There should not be any adjustments of life or spirit for closet hours. The closet spirit should sweetly rule and adjust all times and occasions. Our activities and work should be performed in the same spirit which makes our devotion and which makes our closet time sacred. "Without intermission, continuously, attentively," describes a richness, energy, ceaseless strength and fullness of effort; like the full and exhaustless and spontaneous flow of an artesian stream. Touch the man of God who consequently understands prayer, at any point, at any time, and a full current of prayer is seen flowing from him.

But all these indescribable benefits, of which the Holy Spirit is made to us the conveyor, go back in their character and all the results are because of prayer. Not on a little process and a measly routine prayer is the coming of the Holy Spirit and of His great grace inured, but on prayer that set on fire, by an unquenchable desire, with such a sense of need as cannot be without, with a fixed determination which will not let go, and which will never faint till it wins the greatest good and gets the best and last blessing God has in store for us.

The First Christ, Jesus, our Great High Priest, forever blessed and adored be His Name, was a gracious Comforter, a faithful Guide, a gifted Teacher, a fearless Advocate, a devoted Friend, and an all powerful Intercessor. The other, "another Comforter," the Holy Spirit, comes into all these blessed relations of fellowship, authority and aid, with all the tenderness, sweetness, fullness and efficiency of the First Christ.

Was the First Christ the Christ of prayer? Did He offer prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears unto God? Did He seek the silence, the solitude and the darkness that He might pray unheard and un-witnessed save by heaven, in His wrestling agony, for man with God? Does He ever live, enthroned above at the Father's right hand, there to pray for us?

Then how beyond doubt does the other Christ, the other Comforter, the Holy Spirit, represent Jesus Christ as the Christ of prayer! This other Christ, the Comforter, plants Himself not in the waste of the mountain nor far into the night, but in the chill and the night of the human heart, to awaken it to the struggle, and to teach it the need and form of prayer. How the Divine Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, puts into the human heart the load of earth's almighty need, and makes the human lips give voice to its mute and unutterable groaning!

What a mighty Christ of prayer is the Holy Spirit! How He quenches every flame in the heart but the flame of heavenly desire! How He quiets, like a weaned child, all the self-will, until in will, in brain, and in heart, and by mouth, we pray only as He prays. "Making intercession for the saints, according to the will of God."

The Little Wise Ones

Whenever I talk to kids about being artists they know exactly what I mean. They don't need to be told they're artists. They already know it. And they can provide evidence of the fact on the spur of any moment, with whatever tools may be at hand.

Last summer when as friend and I were doing a writing retreat at one of my aunt's cabins in the Adirondacks, we were interrupted one morning by a knock on the door. Two of my young cousins had come to visit, Jamie, 12 and Brittany, 10. I was working feverishly at the computer and Annie was on the porch revising some personal essays. I told the girls that we were very busy writing and they said they understood, they were writers, too.

Then they went on to explain, oh yes, both of them had written a variety of short stories and Jamie wrote poetry and Brittany was working on a play for her friends to star in. They knew all about the writing thing.

Well then, I said, won't you come in and write with us? They joined us happily. The four of us talked for awhile about what they would work on and they each decided to do a short story. The plan was to write for one hour, then take a lunch break and read the stories during lunch.

They chose their pads and pens carefully, then scanned the room for just the right spot. Jamie picked the overstuffed flowered chair with the wide wooden arms, plunked herself down and immediately started filling up the pages of the purple pad with her story, The Summer I'll Never Forget.

Brittany spread out belly down on the bed, knees bent and the soles of her pink sneakers facing the sky. Her number two pencil was a perfect match for her yellow pad. In big bold letters she printed out at the top of the page, THE HALLOWEEN NIGHTMARE, then paused for a bit while she nibbled at the eraser and waited for the first sentence to come out of hiding.

With Vivaldi stimulating our alpha waves, and loons warbling in the background, the four of us worked at a steady pace in a lovely combination of solitude and togetherness. No one was in anyone's way. No words broke the necessary silence, and each was lost in the world she was creating. Time flew by and an hour had passed in what felt like minutes.

I got up quietly and went to the kitchen to prepare our lunch, giving the writers a ten minute warning. Heads nodded, but no one's attention left their work and no hand paused on the legal pads. This was a writing frenzy if I had ever seen one.

When I had finished making the sandwiches and warming up the soup, I called them to the table. Moans of regret came from everywhere.

"Oh no, I'm right in the middle of the most important part."

"Can't we have just a few more minutes? Is that clock right? I can't believe a whole hour went by."

"Quiet, you guys, I'm working on an important paragraph!"

These were committed artists, so rapt in the joy of creative play that time to continue was all they craved. Food was too common a thing to pull them from the uncommon fun of making something up from nothing. We took a vote and decided to hold off lunch till the stories were finished.

When the last sentence was written, I dished up the soup as the writers made their way proudly to the dining room table. We held hands and said grace, giving thanks for the time to write, to be together, and to share our stories with each other. I asked who wanted to read first and Brittany said she did. While we sipped on soup and ate our egg and olive sandwiches, Brittany treated us to THE HALLOWEEN NIGHTMARE, an exciting tale of intrigue and mystery about an amazing thing that happened to a young girl one Halloween night. It was unexpectedly funny, full of colorful details, imaginative, and hauntingly true. We clapped for Brittany when she finished and each of us pointed out our favorite parts. She beamed with pride.

Then Jamie read her story of a summer adventure with two best friends, which was seven pages long and delicately textured with pre-pubescent conflict, tension and resolution. She, too, beamed when we applauded her writing and took time to discuss the details that made it work so well.

It was a touching event and one that I never anticipated when I heard the knock at the door. What I thought would be an interruption turned out to be an inspiration. These girls were right to call themselves writers and they didn't need any one else to confirm that. Their writing was good because they did it for the love of it, for the joy of visiting their imaginations, pulling out thoughts and trying them on like clothes out of grandma's closet.

These girls did not need a mentor calling forth their creativity as many of us do who have given up play as a daily practice. They have not forsaken that part of themselves where their deepest joy lives--that part which is of the heavens, which is in all of us, and which, while it is ours, belongs still to the universe.

When I have the honor of talking to school children about making art, we talk about this part of ourselves. The part that's invisible but very strong, like electricity or love. They understand about their own uniqueness and how no one sees things in exactly the same way they do, and that that's why their art is never the same as anyone else's. And why that is good.

Children know these things while the rest of us need reminding. We have forgotten the importance of play, forgotten how not to compete, forgotten that the thing in us which makes us unique is precisely the thing we are here to express. That thing which gives us the most joy, that we do to settle ourselves, in which we find comfort and a certain peacefulness--that is our art, the work which calls us and which we are called to do.

Kids nod their heads proudly when I speak of their uniqueness. They have a certain understanding about this. They are close to their creativity, best friends with their Muses, familiar with the power of imagination and playing in the imaginary.

In the matter of creating, they are, in fact, the wise ones.

Insight to Action

1. Set aside an hour to work on a creative project with a child. Assign each other the title of a short story to write, put on Vivaldi's Four Seasons (or whatever music the child chooses) and give yourselves a certain length of time to write the story. At the end of that time, allow a few minutes to wrap it up if it is not finished and then read your stories to each other. Have a conversation about the stories and comment on your favorite parts of each one.

2. This you can do alone or with kindred spirits of any age:

Get a sketch pad with large size paper (at least 11x14). Using crayons, watercolors, colored pencils, or chalks, create a map of your life in three segments, including where you came from, where you are and where you are headed.

3. Listen to the song "Children" on Sweet Honey and the Rock's Good News tape or the Flirtations CD. Following the song, take your notebook and write two pages without stopping on what images and feelings the song conjured up for you.

4. Set aside one day that will be orchestrated by a child. From morning till evening, the child will direct all activities, including travel (within a prescribed radius), meals, and entertainment. This may need to be planned in advance in order to budget for it. At the end of the day, talk about what happened, how it felt, what you liked. Thank each other for your company and go get a good night's sleep.

5. Write yourself a letter from yourself at the age of eight. Talk about what interests you, who your friends are and what they're like, what you hope to do when you get bigger, what your mom and dad are like. Get into the feeling of being eight and see how it feels.

Routine Stance Practice for Shaolin Kung Fu

Shaolin 'Longfist' Kung Fu and Wu Shu movement, whether offensive or defensive, towards or away from opponents, involves a number of key stances. These stances are the foundations of all Changchuan ('Longfist') martial movement and six-essential examples are practised in the routine or 'drill' below. Two key principles apply to their design and usage.

Stability

The lower an object's centre of gravity, the harder it is to displace or knock over. Deep stances, thus, endow Students with stability. Bending the knees and keeping the back straight aligns the torso with the body's natural centre of gravity and balance at the Dan Tien (one inch-and-a half below the navel) further enhancing this.

Deep stances, obtained by regular practice, enable students to move more swiftly, smoothly and efficiently.

Safety

High Longfist stances, exposing more of the body, including its vital parts have inbuilt safety-features to minimise risk. Low stances conceal and protect these areas, making them easier to defend.

Longfist Stance Drill 1

1. Stand at attention with both feet together, fists clenched at the hips.

2. Extend both fists forwards at shoulder-height.

3. Jump into a Horse Stance (Ma Bu) and pull both fists back to the hips (where they remain until the routine ends)

4. Press your right-sole down firmly, lift your left toes and pivot sharply left-wards into the Bow-and-Arrow Stance (Deng Shan Bu/Gung Bu).

5. Straighten your left leg (but keep it slightly bent) bearing 90% of your bodyweight. Bring your right leg forwards, right-angles to this with both heels aligned, apart, supporting 10% of your bodyweight, on your toes. This is the 'False' or 'Tricky' Classic Shaolin counter-attacking back-stance.

5. Straighten your left leg and raise your right knee to waist height with foot pointing downwards protecting the left knee-joint into the Golden Rooster Stands on Its Hind Leg (Gin Gi Du Li) the one-legged stance.

6. Step forwards and left with your right foot (toes pointed outwards) bending both legs and with left knee immediately behind the right knee's rear cavity into the crossed-leg-stance (Dsao Pan Bu). The left leg's weight is supported on the toes.

7. Turn the torso abruptly leftwards into a Horse Stance (Ma Bu) facing the exact opposite direction to position No.3.

8. Press your right-sole down firmly, lift your left toes and pivot sharply leftwards into the Wide Kneeling Stance.Your right knee should be fractionally above the floor.

9. Advance your right knee promptly until it is located just behind the rear cavity of its left counterpart int the Closed Kneeling Stance.

10. Step forwards and left with your right foot ( toes pointed outwards) bending both legs and with left knee immediately behind the right knee's rear cavity into the crossed-leg-stance (Dsao Pan Bu) as in 6 above. The left leg's weight is supported on the toes.

11. Turn the torso abruptly leftwards into a Horse Stance (Ma Bu). You should now be back in position No.3.

Overall

At this point you are half-way through the routine which is now repeated in the other direction (easily achieved after a couple of initial run throughs. Repeat the whole two-part drill 2/3/4 times etc. as required.

This is an excellent way to develop and increase your leg strength. The routine is finally closed by jumping back into position 2 (above) from position 11.

Joint Pain Relief - What You Can Do

Joint pain relief is a topic of import for people of all ages. At one time, the phrase joint pain brought to mind images of granny squatting down in her garden to pull weeds. This is no longer the case.

Victims of such pain are increasingly of all ages. In children, this is mostly due to the computer age. Kids who spend a lot of time on computers and playing video games are getting neck pain at a very young age. But what can you do to relief the pain of your joints?

The first thing to focus on for the pain of your joints, as with any medical condition, is prevention. Many doctors recommend reducing as much as possible the repetitive strain by taking frequent breaks from whatever physical activity, whether work or play. While taking these breaks, they say it's a good idea to take time to stretch the muscles around the joints as well.

Massage therapists often have to deal with clients who are looking for joint pain relief as well. While they work the muscles around the joints, there is not much they can do for the joints themselves. They often recommend using herbal topical ointments such as ones containing arnica, which seem to help decrease the pain.

Several people I know have tried acupuncture and have had good results. A coworker once twisted her ankle but had acupuncture immediately and was right back on her feet. A friend of mine suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for years and was able to decrease many of her drugs because she got more joint pain relief from acupuncture treatments.

Particularly when knee and hip pain comes from degenerative problems, such as osteoarthritis, the condition can't be cured. At the very least, there are topical creams and treatments like acupuncture that may decrease the pain and therefore improve the quality of life for people with these conditions.

There is a lot of arguing back and forth over whether cold or heat is best for joint pain relief. Generally, people with rheumatoid arthritis report feeling their affected joints are hot, therefore, cold may help with this condition. With osteoarthritis, these people report that the condition is worse with cold, therefore, they tend to feel better when heat is applied.

Also worth looking into is dietary changes. It appears that certain foods may affect the symptoms of joint conditions. Therefore, some people say that they have experienced joint pain relief merely through modifying their diet.

The good news is, with more and more people being affected by such pain on their jointsw and earlier in their lives, more note is being taken. It is no longer a condition that is treated as being inevitable with age. This means that, in the future, we will continue seeing more alternatives to joint pain relief become available.

Activity After Total Knee Joint Replacement - General Knowledge Post-Surgery

If you are about to have a total knee joint replacement surgery, you are on your way to a new lease on life! Replacing a knee that has been worn down and causes intense pain is a major surgery and you will probably have many questions the doctor will be happy to answer. However, for this piece, we're going to talk about what happens after the replacement has taken place and discuss activity after a total knee joint replacement surgery and what you can expect as far as rehab and venturing back into your daily routines. Let's begin will immediately after surgery.

After surgery you're going to wake up and think there is no way I can do anything with this knee. It hurts. However, your doctors, nurses, and physical therapists will all work with you to find the right amount of pain management for your individual needs. And, it's important that even though you want to rest your leg that you get moving. In the hospital, a machine called a CPM (continuous passive motion) will do this for you anywhere from 4 to 6 hours a day. A physical therapist will visit you the day after your surgery to get your started on other rehab exercises. Again, everyone is going to stress to you which activity after a total knee joint replacement is appropriate.

Before you are allowed to go home, most doctors will require that you meet certain criteria, these include getting out of bed on your own, being able to bend your knee at a 90 degree angle or show appropriate progress for your situation. You should be able to extend your knee fully, be able to walk with crutches or a walker on a level surface and even be able to walk up a step or two. Remember, these activities may be tailored to your needs. You will also have to demonstrate your willingness to do at home exercises. Other activities after a total knee joint replacement that can be done at home will be explained, as well as those you must avoid until your knee has healed.

Resuming normal activities after a total knee joint replacement is going to take a while and will generally follow a pattern. If you had a left knee replaced, driving may begin as early as 1 week after surgery if you are off all narcotic pain medication. If the right knee was replaced, expect it to take 4-6 weeks before you can drive, right along with sexual activity. You can sleep on your side, your stomach, or your back safely after you return home from the hospital. Expect to be able to resume working, if you do so, within 6-8 weeks post-surgery and remember that while walking, biking, and swimming are encouraged, stay away from activities that jar the knee, like jumping and jogging, as well as heavy lifting.

The Three Aspects of MMA

Aspect 1: Standup/Striking
This is one of the most obvious aspects. Nine out of ten people that watch any of the major promotions on pay per view or television are looking for one of the fighters to knock the other fighter's head off. There is actually quite a bit more disciplines and techniques involved with the striking game rather than just swinging your fists wildly around. The most popular discipline right now in MMA is Muay Thai Kickboxing. This striking art was developed in Thailand and involves using the fists, elbows, knees, and shins. The reason why this translates to mixed martial arts so well is that it utilizes control through the clinch, it gives more opportunistic and dynamic striking, and it gives more opportunities for a referee stoppage.

Aspect 2: Ground game/Wrestling
This aspect is a bit more subtle but is slowly gaining more recognition with the fans of the sport slowly starting to educate themselves on all of the techniques that goes into the ground game. One of the aspects within the ground game are take downs. These take downs are usually achieved through techniques based on collegiate wrestling, judo, or sombo. These things are important because they can give you the edge in a fight if someone is a better striker than you. Once the take down is achieved however, another part of MMA begins. Once on the ground, the fighter is looking to do one of three things: the first being to submit their opponent with either a choke or a joint lock, the second is to land effective strikes while on the ground and either knock out their opponent or cause the referee to stop the fight, the third is that the fighter wishes to get back up and either start striking or work towards another take down.

Aspect 3: Conditioning
This aspect is probably the most looked over but one of the most essential aspects to master. When a fighter is training for a fight they have to incorporate a heavy amount of conditioning. These intense workouts help prepare the body for the fight that is going to eventually happen. A fighter is working out so that they can exert themselves to their truest potential for at least 15 minutes. The conditioning will also help their minds prepare for the fight as well. They will be working out, sparring, and wrestling for hours to not only help their bodies, but to show that their mind that they can push themselves. Most fighters will train with the thought that "train hard so the fight is easy" running through their head.

How I Treated Arthritis in My Pony, Ben

My little pony Ben who was 13 h.h. that I had from a young child suffered from arthritis in his old age, Ben had a knee injury he had before I had him and I loved him to bits.

When the arthritis started to effected him he was around fifteen years of age, this is when he started to have slight joint puffiness , now this might sound strange to you but if you have a pony with this condition putting them into complete retirement could be the worst thing you could do because joints need strengthening muscles to protect them but with your vets assistance with a regular exercise program tailored to your horse or ponies needs and age, you can increases his joint-fluid circulation and get his nutrients up while getting wastes out, this will help keep his cartilage as healthy as possible. Whilst keeping his appetite up, his digestion system working properly and his attitude of well being going nicely.

Specific nutrients added to your horse or ponies nighttime feed can have a significant impact on his joint health, consult with your vet for a list of these and get him or her to help you put together a diet plan with supplements like I did as this can really help a lot.

Never change your horses diet without consulting with your vet first as this can be damaging.

I worked Ben's affected joint passively, all that this means is that I used a range-of-motion exercises to en-courage cartilage and soft-tissue healing in his inflamed joints that decreased his scar-tissue formation as this is what causes a loss of range of motion. I used a blend of aromatherapy oils and took the advice of a physiotherapist friend at the time on the best way to do this, so I was self trained but now you can get the information on the internet by using your search engine, but one of the main things to do is to gently massage, bend and straighten the affected joint or joints between 7 to 10 times.

This is the mixture I used watered down.

1) Black pepper: Commonly used for stimulating the circulation, muscular aches and pains.

2) Yarrow oil: Used to reduce joint inflammation.

3) Geranium oil: Used as a circulation tonic.

4) Juniper oil: Used as an anti-rheumatic.

5) Lavender oil: Brilliant even on its own for rheumatisms and for muscle's pain.

6) Lemon oil: Is well known for its stimulating antiseptic powers as well as being very good for arthritis.

Do you love your pony enough to have it living in your house? I did and it was the most marvelous and rewarding experience.

I used to take Ben for walks every day just like you would a dog on a lead. Ben loved to go down to the beach in the summer and would go into the sea with me, or should I say alongside me to swim, this I believe also helped him a lot, plus of course he loved doing this, he was after all one of the family. He especially liked his aroma therapy bath when we got home. I have very found memories of the way he would lift his upper lip and laugh at me when I washed him down, and run around after me like a spring chicken in the garden. Ben's last summer was such a happy one a real treasure in my minds eye.

Towards the end of Ben's life, and he lived to 32 years of age, he needed warmth in the winter because of his arthritis, so for the last winter of his life Ben slept on a huge mattress in front of our oil fired central heating radiator in our kitchen, now he could go in and out as he please into the garden, as he could open the door himself, and believe it or not he could also close it when he came back into the house. He never did a dirty in the house, and yes my kitchen door was a half stable one with an easy latch for Ben to use.

I do hope that this article helps another horse lover out there to make the most out of the later years they have with their horse or pony as I did with Ben.

Arthritis Treatment: Nerve-Related Knee Pain and How to Treat It

One of the most perplexing problems a rheumatologist faces is making the diagnosis in a patient who presents with knee pain. There are multiple causes of knee pain including arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, as well as a host of other conditions.

One very common problem that is often overlooked is knee pain occurring as a result of nerve-related pain.

There are three nerves that can be associated with knee pain. The first is the femoral nerve. This is a nerve that runs down the front of the thigh. While rarely a cause of knee pain per se, it can cause pain in the front of the thigh.

The second nerve that sometimes causes pain in the back of the knee is the sciatic nerve. Patients with degenerative arthritis or degenerative disc problems can develop pain that runs from the low back down the back of the leg. What is interesting is that sometimes a patient will have leg pain but no back pain.

The final nerve that can be associated with knee pain is the peroneal nerve. This is a branch of the sciatic nerve and runs along the outside of the leg. Where this nerve becomes an issue is in a patient with a knee replacement. While this situation doesn't occur now very often, in the earlier days of knee replacement surgery, women would sometimes receive knee replacement hardware meant for men.

These replacements would be a bit too large for the joint and what would occur is that the peroneal nerve that runs along the outside of the knee joint would get irritated.

When that happened the patient would have severe pain. The typical scenario is of a woman patient who continues to have knee pain after the joint replacement surgery. She goes to see the orthopedic surgeon who takes x-rays, puts the films up on the view box, and pronounces, "The knee replacement looks perfect!" And the patient would say, "But my knee still hurts..." And the orthopedic surgeon would shrug his shoulders and say, "I don't know why."

The treatment of nerve-related knee pain is dependent on making a correct diagnosis. Usually femoral and sciatic nerve root pain are spine related. So the treatment is aimed at relieving whatever is causing nerve root irritation in the low back.

Peroneal nerve related knee pain, if it's due to irritation from a knee replacement appliance, can be treated with ultrasound guided hydrodissection of the peroneal nerve. What this involves is using a small needle to inject a large amount of fluid in the nerve sheath and moving the peroneal nerve away from the appliance. This often affords long term relief.

In patients where peroneal nerve compression continues and gets worse, there is progressive numbness, tingling, and weakness in the leg. The diagnosis can be confirmed by electrical studies such as electromyography. Patients who don't respond to hydrodissection may require neurosurgical consultation.

UFC 75 Light-Heavyweight Fight - Michael Bisping vs Matt Hamill

As I watched this fight on Spike TV here in the United States I had to admit that I was truly undecided on who I thought was going to win this fight. I really couldn't pick a winner no matter how many times I tried to analyze each fighter. Truly either fighter had the capability to win this fight. I personally felt, and would soon be proven correct; that the winner would be decided not only by who was the better fighter, but also by who didn't do what they should have done during the fight.

A lot of times fighters and fans alike seem to forget, or perhaps don't realize, that often times it is not so much what a fighter does right in the ring, but what his opponent does wrong that determines the outcome of a fight. Here is an old saying that I learned years ago from one of my instructors, "Eliminate your mistakes while capitalizing upon those of your opponents." Definitely words to fight by!

THE COMPETITORS:

Michael Bisping:

Bisping is an intelligent fighter and seems to be a fairly well rounded fighter although his ground game seems to be the weakest part of his repertoire. He is the winner of the Ultimate Fighter television reality series and is currently undefeated.

Matt Hamill:

Hamill is a highly decorated Greco-Roman wrestler with several prestigious wins to his credit including a gold medal win at the 1998 Pan Am Games. Hamill was also on the Ultimate Fighter series along with Bisping and were actually scheduled to compete in the finals but wasn't able to due to an injury. Hamill at the time of this fight was also undefeated.

What will follow is a detailed professional analysis of the fight from start to finish, concluding with some final thoughts concerning both fighters. Please keep in mind that these are my views from my own perspective of the events that transpired. They are by no means intended to shed any kind of negative or disparaging thoughts, words, etc. on either one of the fighters involved. I have a great deal of respect for anyone, and I do mean anyone, who steps onto the mat. So, with further ado let's get started.

THE FIGHT:

Round One:

Hamill pretty much controlled the entire first round with his aggressive attack and heavy although a bit unpolished punching. Bisping, although pretty much on the defensive the entire round, was obviously the much more polished fighter with a lot crispier punches and kicks.

Hamill at one point took Bisping down twice and allowed him the opportunity to get back up onto his feet, rather than taking advantage of his wrestling background to keep Bisping on the ground and apply some serious ground & pound. At approximately three minutes into the round, Hamill landed a beautiful right hand to the head of Bisping which resulted in a fairly good cut, although not one serious enough to stop the fight.

Throughout the first four minutes of the round it appeared to me that Bisping wasn't really putting anything on his punches as they appeared to be somewhat of a pitty-pat type of punches. This all changed with approximately one minute left to go in the round when all of a sudden Bisping's punches started landing with a lot more authority than they had been. Still they didn't seem to really have any effect on Hamill. Where in contrast Hamill's punches were definitely thrown with serious intent throughout the entire round.

Even though Bisping's punches weren't thrown as hard or as often, as Hamill's, he was without a doubt the better of the two at counterpunching. Not only did the majority of his counter punches land, but they also landed more accurately.

With fifteen seconds remaining in the first round Hamill lands another big right hand. Although this punch didn't knock Bisping down, it may have had some small effect on him losing his footing and falling to the canvas just before the end of the round.

Round Two:

Bisping opened up the round by throwing a rather feeble looking kick that Hamill immediately capitalized upon by grabbing Bisping's kicking leg and tackling him to the ground. Once again Hamill didn't take advantage of his wrestling background and keep Bisping on the ground where he would have been at a much greater disadvantage. This allowed Bisping the opportunity to once again regain his standing position.

Once he regained his standing position, Bisping attempted a roundhouse kick to the head of Hamill that was subsequently blocked. Hamill continued to stalk Bisping throughout the course of the round with his heavy yet rough punching style. Bisping on the other hand continued to effectively counterpunch his way through the round with crisp, accurate punches, which in my opinion gave him control of the fight.

Hamill was eventually able to get Bisping down to the ground momentarily before Bisping once again regained his standing position. Hamill continued his slow lumbering stalk of Bisping around the ring for the remainder of the round, but Bisping was obviously the more effective fighter as he continued applying his strategy of crisp, accurate counterpunching.

Round Three:

Hamill starts out the round with his menacing stalking approach that really had no effect at all on Bisping who continued to counterpunch Hamill at every opportunity. Hamill attempted two separate takedowns which Bisping managed to avoid each time. On his third attempted takedown, Hamill was finally able to take Bisping to the ground. However, he was not very good at controlling Bisping while he was on the ground and Bisping was able to regain his standing position after a few moments and resumed his punching attack.

Bisping attempted a knee strike to the midsection which resulted in him being taken down to the ground by Hamill. Once again Hamill was not very good at controlling Bisping while he was on the ground although he did manage to land a couple of punches to the head. Hamill's inability to control Bisping on the ground resulted in Bisping being able to regain his standing position where he launched another attack against Hamill with a barrage of punches and kicks. During this exchange Hamill managed to land a fairly good right hand to the head of Bisping.

Bisping countered Hamill's left hand with a pretty good left leg roundhouse kick to the head of Hamill as he was ducking down and in towards Bisping's lead leg in an attempt to take him down to the ground. The third and final round ended with Bisping avoiding a last second take down attempt by Hamill.

JUDGE'S DECISION:

The judge's decision in this fight was a split decision with the win going to Bisping. Now I know that this seemed to be a pretty unpopular decision with a lot of MMA fans, but when you really sit down and critique the fight, you can clearly see that Hamill won the first round and Bisping won the third round with the second round being the deciding round.

Now an argument could be made either way for either fighter. This in itself should be an indicator as to how the fight most could have been scored as a draw, but once again that is just my opinion. Although making the case for Bisping being the winner is a lot stronger than the case is for Hamill winning. I personally felt that the fight was won by Bisping due to the fact that he should a lot more skill in the fight than Hamill did. Even though Hamill was pretty much the aggressor throughout the entire fight, Bisping was the much more efficient fighter with his counterpunching and movement.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS:

Here are my thoughts on how each fighter could improve upon their respective abilities concerning this particular fight.

Bisping:

1. Learn to kick more effectively and efficiently.

2. Utilize your hand and foot combinations more effectively. Use your punches to set up your kicks and your kicks to set up your punches.

3. Where are your knees and uppercuts? These are perhaps two of the best strikes to use against a wrestler who dives in to take your legs. Learn them and use them!

4. Stick and Move; you did this to some degree during the fight, but not enough. Nothing frustrates an opponent more than not being able to find their opponent every time that they look for them.

Hamill:

His strategy for this particular fight was not entirely the correct one to use. He should have worked his way inside with his punches and then wrestled Bisping down to the ground and kept him there where he could have and should have delivered a ground and pound. By not doing this, you actually helped Bisping win this fight.

1. Work a lot more on your punching and get them a lot crisper. Watching this fight reminded me of the Ali/Foreman fight from the 70's. Watch this fight on tape or DVD and learn from it!

2. Why didn't you utilize your strongest weapon in your arsenal (your wrestling background) to your fullest advantage in this fight? You fought Bisping's fight not yours!

3. Learn to be a multi-dimensional fighter. Add some kicking and knee strikes to your repertoire of techniques and you will totally surprise your next opponent.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

I definitely feel that a rematch is in the cards for these fighters unless of course Bisping decides to drop down to the 185 lb. division, which may or may not be a good choice for him. Personally, I think he would do well in either division. However, I would recommend that he start a good weight training program to put a little more muscle on and increase his overall power.

Hamill on the other hand will do well at 205 and would even do a lot better if he starts becoming more of a multi-dimensional fighter and capitalizes upon his strengths while working to improve upon his weaknesses.

The Devil Gets the Best

The Council of the Continental University, Los Andes University, the UNCP University, the Journalist Professional Association and Cultural Center of Peru congratulates and recognizes

The Roman Empire under Trajan, 117 AD

A Short History of the times: it was a time, Arabs could travel from Tripoli to Tangier without ever moving from the shade of olive trees to comfort them; a time when towns and cities sprung up everywhere; a time of great architecture, and when literature found new voices. An era when the beauty of Rome sparkled from England, throughout Italy, and pert near all of Europe for the most part, along with parts of Africa, and Asia-; where forums, temples, aqueducts, and theaters reached the Roman world side to side, and revealed its wealth. A time of economic security, order, discipline-where in a short period thereafter, it would allow decay, chaos and negligence to ruin the roads, reservoirs, and canals. Ephesus was a first rate city, in Asia Minor, and was the city where a number of the apostles went, especially, John, who took care of Mary, mother of Christ, and had a brick house built on the hill top within the city's walls; where the Ephesians built long and winding marble corridors, which all seemed to lead to the marble façade of its towering library......and this is where our story takes place

ACT ONE o SCENE ONE

It is eleven-thirty in the evening, it is dark out except for a few lit torches scattered sporadically along the corridor which leads to the library at Ephesus, which is made out of marble. There is a large marble engraved sign on the archway next to the library, dedicated to the Emperor of Rome, Augustus (spelled improperly on the arch), that reads his name, but they are not there, they are all walking down the corridor; two girls with two Roman Soldiers, walking down the passageway to the library; the four are a little cock-eyed. The two soldiers are in uniform, they pass statues and accommodations for priests and soldiers, and temporary housing, small temples like sanctuaries along the corridor, many pillars. One of the girls stop and look at a marble refuge, she hears a mumbling voice, almost seductive...

1st Roman Soldier. Let's keep going. The night's getting late, and I got to inspect the guards in the morning.

Girl. I heard a voice in there, it sounded familiar.

(The other soldier and girl have gone on down the corridor towards the library)

1st Roman Soldier. Why should you care whose in there?

Girl. Well, I do care, let's take a look.

1st Roman Soldier. So it appears I got a noisy one. The hell with it, I got better things to do with you than fool around someone else's private affairs-inside whatever this structure is: a room or house or haven.

Girl. You are an ass!

1st Roman Soldier. That's not so bad, I've been called worse.

(He stands still, puts his hand over his mouth, as if thinking what next to say, shakily not wanting to sober up, yet not wanting to fall over)

Have I ever been nice? I mean you know who I am, what I do?

Girl. I don't care what you do when you're not with me, all you Roman soldiers are appalling when you're drunk, and rude when you're aren't. All I wanted was to see who was in there. If that's too much to ask the heck with it, let's just keep on moving to the dumb library so you can do whatever your heart desires, there inside, if we can get inside, you say you are a commander, I suppose we can then.

1st Roman Soldier. Okay, okay you win; I'll look inside and see. But I'll tell you plain, a woman brings two moments of happiness to a man: one when she makes love to him, the other, when she gets up out of bed, and leaves him to have peace and quiet.

(The girl smiles, a very big and bright looking smile, with a light chuckle, as if to say-well, I got my way)

Girl. I wish I had a marble sanctuary like this one; I'll buy me one someday.

CURTAIN

ACT ONE o SCENE TWO

Curtain rises at once on Scene II. Inside the room that is really a shelter for a statue of Dionysus, something of a sanctuary you might say, there is a cot, behind the statue inside the shrine, and there is a small table by the cot; a priest by the name of Demetrius is sitting on it, with a female named Lydia next to him, and he is talking about trade with Cayster and Maeander, along with religion and art, whatever the conversation is, you hear just gobbledygook for the most part, perhaps not making out anything that makes sense, if one was observant, it almost looks like a show put on for an audience. The woman is expensively gowned. Beside the bed is a lit candle which is glowing brightly. Lydia is a lovely tall brunette girl sitting on the edge of the cot. Behind her, and him, is a little square window, you can see the stars through it. There is a map on the wall made of leather, it has a drawing of the whole area on it, and all the corridors of marble in particular, leading to the library-and a devilish looking symbol. The Roman Soldier (Theodorus) is standing looking at them both, in particular Lydia, who only looks up from an ancient scroll she has on her lap-whom one might think she was reading it, but whose to say, she looks up slightly that is, as if she is disturbed from being bothered, says in a very refined voice:

Lydia (she notices the Roman Soldier is of a high rank). Sir, if there is something you wish, or want, please state what it is, other than that, please let us to our business, and do not disturb us any longer.

(The man, whose name is Theodorus, goes on looking at the two)

And please stop staring, it is most bothersome.

(Theodorus continues to look at her alone now)(The priest is short and thin; almost lame looking, if not nearly deformed, and somewhat disagreeable-uglier than a dead rat)

Lydia. Are you part of the sentry? (No answer is given by Theodorus)

((Theodorus, over six feet tall, two-hundred pounds, with a rough looking beard, now produces a ruthless, yet joker like look on his face, as if he was insulted, but neither the girl nor the man show any fear, or for that matter, reprisal.

Girl. Let's go look for Bupalus, I'm ambidextrous and I never miss my aim with either hand, and we have things to do at the library.

1st Roman Soldier. (Speaking to Lydia) What names do you go by?

Lydia. Many, but Lydia will do!

(With no retort he remains in a near trance, as if almost overtaken by her beauty and aching to have her. His mind full of folly and thought, you can see it in his self-possession and continence)

Lydia (her eyes, ever-changing as if into fire and water). It is distaining to expound my conclusions in intelligible words to a regular soldier.

Demetrius. (Speaking passionately) I assure you sir, we were not doing anything awful in this sanctuary, I am a philosopher and poet, as well as priest, and I am Lydia's teacher, and I teach many of the arts.

1st Roman Soldier. (Still staring at Lydia) So you do!

Demetrius. Perhaps we should move to the Temple of Artemis, it is more private there, Lydia?

Lydia. We should and we should not. Here our universe is vaster, becoming, more of a variety, change is from a condition of inferno, this soldier is of the many, and he lives in the very heart of the inferno, fire flickers restlessly inside of him. You Demetrius are the filling of life and good spirits.

1st Roman Soldier. What kind of dull jokes are these? I'm bored Lydia bitch.

Lydia. Don't call me names, to entertain your whore; you do not know the dangers in doing so.

1st Roman Soldier. Do you understand anything that's going to happen here, or what is happening here?

Lydia. No, I only understand a little bit about the universe, but not half as much as Demetrius; you as fire, are dreadful and a puzzle to me why you remain here-can you not sense the danger?

Demetrius. He is like volcanic soil making his island, wanting it to become a garden of orchards and vines; in essence, he wants to make love to you. He is conspiring with his dead-self, to recapture power you seemingly have taken away from him, as a man. But if he touches you, the rain of one who is stronger than Zeus will descend upon him, and from the high heaven.

1st Roman Soldier. My God is not Zeus, perhaps Neptune will swallow Zeus up, or his slave the Tiamat, and your god whom is you say, more powerful than Zeus.

Demetrius. Perhaps I will swallow them both, and Lydia you.

Girl. (In a trembling voice) I want to make love to you; I don't think all this is very sensible, really, let's get out of here.

(But Lydia's beauty was near paralyzing, and he didn't want to move-and he doesn't move, lest he lose his opportunity...)

1st Roman Soldier. No! I wish to stay here. It's amusing, and so much livelier than simply having sex. And you are acting like a child.

Demetrius. Is this the best medicine among Greek and Roman, to take what does not belong to you by force because no one can stop you, nor punish you?

1st Roman Soldier. Is that not what Plato, your philosophical god told you man is made of?

Demetrius. I see you are learned somewhat, but you must not yield your heart to anguish-save yourself and be gone.

Girl. But he seldom does. I wish you'd come (She starts to move towards the door to leave, her face is showing fear)

(There is a knock at the door)

I think our friends are here, looking for us, darling.

(The other Roman Soldier, subordinate to, hears voices inside the small refuge, and walks in; he is of a lesser rank, and a little plump, short, he speaks extraordinary well though.)

1st Roman Soldier. Oh, I see it's you.

2nd Roman Soldier. How're you doing, all right I hope? I was just down at the library, came back to see if you have any little thing of any kind or sort you don't want in your way. So is everything all right, your friends here are looking most comfortable?

1st Roman Soldier. Difficult to say in front of this lady of the arts, Lydia.

Demetrius. For grief will profit you no whit, my Roman friend, this is the last warning.

2nd Roman Soldier. (Speaking to Theadorus) I see you are up against a bright philosopher. They have the words, and wit, but not the sword, at such trying moments like this, my friend: his wit and words are like ice; they melt quickly, and leave a mess. Put him to the sword, and take his Sappho bitch, ring her up on a wooden cross.

Lydia. He will not!

2nd Roman Soldier. Then I will.

(Lydia, she unhooks her silk gown, and lets it fall to the marble floor, she blows out the candle, and it is now dark, very dark-even the moon's shadows cover the moon to darken the refuge, and the light outside the structure seems to be darkened somehow, as if a wind is covering it with a veil)

Lydia. I'm coming.

2nd Roman Soldier. I greatly prefer you come for both of us, before I pull out my sword.

(There is a sound in the darkness of a cat)

CURTAIN

ACT ONE o SCENE THREE

Curtain rises at once on Scene III. Inside the refuge, through the small back window one can see the moon, it is as if lurking, having seemingly leaping shadows about it, watching shadows as if Lydia herself had an audience, the moon even appears to have cold breath. There is a door between them, to the frame of the sanctuary, it is open now, and one can see shadows-by the reflection of a torch outside the door that was meant to light up the corridor. In the bed is Demetrius, he is near static standing on the bed watching everything, through the window comes sounds and voices, haunting voices from afar, there is a struggle going on inside the refuge on the floor...

(There is a purring of a large cat in the dark within the refuge, it seems to have lightening speed)

2nd Roman Soldier. It's horrifying, she's on her hands and knees, she has paws, long talons, she's crawling like a cat trying to gnaw at me, scratch me, maybe eat me-may the gods forbid (he cries)

1st Roman Soldier. I'm worse off than you, she bit me in the leg I'm bleeding, it's numb, I can't feel it completely-maybe she took a hunk out of it... She's unbelievable; she's turned into a cat like thing, a dreadful, she-devil. (And you can hear bones crack, as if teeth had broken them)

(The cat-woman, Lydia, is seemingly and constantly hungry-you can see a long thick tongue hanging out of her mouth, unable to understand the lack of food; the beautiful has turned into a yellow eyed beast, vexed to her finger tips, and then the candle is lit by Demetrius-as if he is missing something and wants to see all, the Girl is gone, and the two soldiers are eaten alive, nearly to their bones, shredded as if rats had pulled out their insides and eaten them hollow. Of course they are dead now. You see this as light appears in the refuge, as if Demetrius lights up the place himself by turning on the moon's light-yet he simply looks toward the moon, out the little square window)

Demetrius. (Speaking to Lydia, calmly; she is found naked sitting on the cot) What is on your mind?

Lydia. Always a little something.

Demetrius. Don't worry, I have it all set.

Lydia. You be careful, Demetrius, if you bury them, do it far-away, there are two whores that know what took place here, and people believe you are a priest.

Demetrius. (In a low near-joking voice) He fell in love just by looking at you. Your body and appearance, it was like sweet wine, and honey to him, and we stung him, for his curiosity-like a bee. We need simply go back to Pergamun, where my earthly throne-seat remains. Foolish are they to think Zeus and Neptune could have power over me, or even quote such feeble minded philosophers and poets like: Socrates, Plato, Sappho, as if they are impressive to me-the mischievous sprite, the evil force. If anything I am saddened they could not see the façade to who I am-for I am the Great Adversary in person, I was a bright star in the heavens once, I was the chosen one among the heavens by the Almighty Himself, out of all the angelic forces. I do realize it was to the misfortune of the Roman Soldier to have walked into our little bee hive, although nearly planned, if not he, then someone else would have, and the Girl likewise, but by some odd and unconscious omen she snuck away, I was able to sway her at first, her mind was open for it, and here she met the most famous ecstatic evil spirit on earth-she has a story to tell-if she only knew how to tell it, I do wish to meet her again though, perhaps more knowingly, than unknowingly.

. ((Thus, he-in modern terms: Lucifer himself, and his courtesan drachma, Lydia, whom can transform and shape-change at will, and loves warm blood of which is simply an extra treat, knew the Roman Soldier needed to provoked, both of them, before they could act with vengeance, and all turned out quit well for them, they were both very pleased.)

CURTAIN

Notes on the Play: "The Corridors at Ephesus" or "The Devil Gets the Best," written out, throughout the day, August, 29, 2009, in Huancayo, Peru, and revised and edited August 30, 2009. The play is produced here in full. The drawing, by the author, of which he has named: "The She-devil and the Serpent" was inspired by a painting the author saw done by Zu Xin Yang , in the Yang Yang, gallery in Roseville, Minnesota, 1999.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall fine rest unto your souls." Matt. XI. Line: 29

Taken from the bible (the author purchased, in 1991), the writing dated 1846, to Amelia Hutchinson,

from her ever affectionate mother...

Copyright © August, 2009 by Dennis L. Siluk

All rights reserved. No part of this play maybe be reproduced in any form except by permission of the original copyright holder, Dennis l. Siluk (First appearing in a chapbook of 500-copies)

The Play may be modified to accommodate the theater,

actors and resources available

Truck Drivers Turn to Chiropractic Care for Back and Knee Pain

Many truck drivers suffer with back or knee pains. They are prone to develop back pain, knee pain, injuries and stiffness due to some of the conditions of their jobs. This is an occupational risk of truck driving. The mere fact that truck drivers are confined to the driver's seat for hours on end certainly has an impact on their spine. It definitely causes strain and puts stress on the spine. Likewise, drivers can injure their knees. Many of them suffer with ligament and cartilage injuries. Truck drivers who suffer with back or knee pains, stiffness or injuries don't necessarily have to resort to prescription medications or surgery to get pain relief. Many desire to resolve their conditions without the use of prescription drugs or surgery.

Fortunately, many cases of back and knee problems can be treated with other methods. This is where chiropractic treatments come in. Chiropractic treatments are non-invasive and gentle. They have a proven track record in helping those suffering with back and knee pains. Chiropractors use various methods to help each patient heal as well as helping them to maintain a healthy back and knees. Many former sufferers of back and knee pain are now able to live their lives virtually pain-free.

Chiropractic treatment is a method of complementary and alternative medicine. One treatment method focuses on realigning the spine by performing a series of adjustments to joints in the back. Chiropractors are skilled practitioners and are able to use their hands to apply a sudden force to a joint to extend it beyond its normal range of motion. Chiropractors also use massage, stretching and other techniques.

Chiropractic care is often the treatment of choice of many truck drivers. More and more drivers are regularly turning to chiropractors for help. A significant reason for this is their desire to be treated with a non-surgical technique. Also, many of them don't want to take prescription medications as all prescription medications have side effects. One side effect of many pain medications is their ability to cause drowsiness. Obviously, drowsy drivers don't need to be on the roads and highways. It is vitally important that truck drivers be alert at all times while driving. Furthermore, pain medications only provide temporarily relief and don't resolve the reasons for the pain.

The knee is one of the most common joints in the body to become injured. It is also the largest as well as one of the most complex joints in the body. A majority of knee problems involve mechanical issues which cause an enormous amount of stress to soft tissues (tendons, ligaments and cartilage) of the knee. Chiropractors typically obtain wonderful results resolving these and other problems.

Chiropractic care is covered by most insurance policies. Chiropractors have for years successfully treated back, knee, leg, neck and many other health issues. There are many medical conditions which require surgery. However, when surgery is not necessary, chiropractic care is often a good solution to the problem. People continue to seek chiropractic care because it works.

Total Knee Replacement Considerations

Having your knee replaced is a decision that thousands of people virtually all over the world have to decide on every day. There will be a multitude of reasons why or why not to have it done that all of us can come up with however, the biggest reason that helps make the final decision for us is the amount of pain you have to endure every day.

Once the pain becomes a problem to your every day activities then you need to consider having the procedure done as soon as possible. One of the biggest problems I see as a physical therapist is the patient that waits too long to have the procedure done in the first place. By postponing your surgery if in fact you have been advised to have it done, creates muscle and soft tissue contractures to develop which in the long run complicate your rehabilitation further and, can also create muscle imbalances in your hips and low back leading to hip and or back pain.

The rehabilitation therefore is longer, you ability to get back to work is delayed longer and, you are put through possibly more pain and swelling than you may have had to encounter if you had been more proactive in getting the surgery completed when first advised. Now I am not talking about someone that has been told they need a knee replacement and give it a month or two to consider their options, I am talking about someone who has put off the surgery for two to five years in hopes that something will miraculously change.

Another important consideration you want to take a look at is that you are preparing your mind and body for the surgery. In other words if you have decided along with your surgeon on a date to have your knee replaced, then you want to get into the best physical condition you can. In most cases you are in so much pain that physical conditioning has gone by the way side. I would recommend you start on a pre-operative home exercise program that your orthopedic surgeon or local physical therapist can give you to start getting your affected leg or legs in condition for the rehabilitation.

Aquatic therapy also is a wonderful exercise to strongly consider. It is easy on your joints and allows you to get a complete full body workout in. I can assure you I can tell immediately during our first rehabilitation session who has prepared for the surgery and who has not. Most orthopedic surgeons today like to get you involved in a pre-operative exercise program to increase your chances of a full recovery in the minimal amount of time.

Take into consideration these two important aspects when considering to have knee replacement surgery.

The Causes of and Cures For Cartilage Damage in Joints

When there is no balance between destruction and construction, the cartilage lining the joints becomes eroded and the cartilage can become thin, the lubricating fluid around the joint can be lost, which will cause the cartilage to become dry and eventually wear away.

Cartilage is the connective tissue that exists in many of the joints in the body including the shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles and more. Cartilage is much more rigid than muscles or ligaments but is more flexible than bone. Cartilage does not cover the entire end of the bones in the joint, but exists only at the points of contact. This is why when there is damage to the cartilage, joints don't move as smoothly. The grinding feeling that this creates can be very painful and is actually the joint wearing down. Over time this can lead to a whole host of problems, including arthritis or facilitating the need for joint replacement surgery.

It is possible to reverse damage to cartilage in joints, but unlike muscle, cartilage contains no blood vessels, which means that it takes a much longer period of time for damage to repair itself.

There are a number of reasons that cartilage erodes. One of the most common reasons is aging. Over time, cartilage simply wears out. This is one of the primary reasons that the elderly often require joint replacement surgery.

Cartilage damage can occur in the spine as well, as a result of an injury such as a car accident or from misalignment of other joints. For instance, if hip joints are out of alignment, it can cause pressure on spinal discs. This can, over time, cause cartilage to deteriorate.

People involved in sports like running, tennis, or martial arts are particularly susceptible to cartilage damage due to the increased impact on the joints. Over time this will cause the joints to wear down even more quickly than most. This is a large part of the reason that many professional athlete's careers end before they reach the age of 40.

Often the most common form of treatment is anti-inflammatory medications. However this doesn't really treat the problem, it just masks the symptoms. This is a very common problem with what most people call "conventional" medicine.

One of the best ways to maintain balance is to visit a chiropractor regularly. A chiropractor can manipulate the joints in the body to relieve undue pressure that can cause cartilage damage.

Drugs and nutrition do not treat the cartilage damage; they only treat pain and inflammation. This can cause acidity to the stomach. This acidity finds it's way into the body and the joint and can actually make the inflammation and pain worse, not better.

Some exercise is actually helpful to treating cartilage damage. Things like yoga, tai chi, or swimming are a great way to strengthen muscles and ligaments and maintain good overall health, but without the stress on joints, which will allow the cartilage to heal without further damage. To help rebuild the cartilage in the joints it is recommended to take daily1 teaspoon of Gelatin and melt it in a 1 / 2 cup water or juice and drink. This will help lubricate the damaged joint and prevent further damage, thus allowing the cartilage to heal naturally. Even if you are recovering from joint surgery, this drink will help your rehabilitation. Gelatin is a substance that naturally occurs in the joints in the body and it aids in joint lubrication and cartilage formation.

There are also essential oils that can be used to treat pain and inflammation. Although the treatment can take between 3 months to 6 months, the results are much more effective.

The above is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition, and is not a recommendation for any treatment.

DePuy Knee Replacements - Taking Replacement Knees For a Spin

With obesity on the rise in the United States, we are seeing an increase in obesity related health concerns as well. These range from diabetes to failure of joints such as the knees, ankles and hips, and may only be resolved through costly and invasive replacement surgeries. Obesity is not the only cause for knee replacement surgery as the delicate joints of the human body can also be damaged through repetitive motion such as stooping and kneeling or from traumatic impact related to sports and accidents. One product that has made significant strides in joint replacement technology is DePuy knee replacements. With several different models available, DePuy is providing prosthetic knees for both partial knee replacement surgeries and complete knee replacements.

DePuy knee replacements have pioneered the field of knee replacement with their ground breaking rotating platform knees. Unlike some traditional knee replacement products, these implants allow the knee to not only bend, but also to rotate in a manner that is much more natural and realistic to the way that you would normally move your knee. The advanced design has been the product of over 30 years of research and development. In general, rotation places more stress on and causes more wear and tear to your knee joints than any other type of motion. This motion can also cause increased wear and tear on a replacement knee. DePuy knee replacements have been found to have a much lower rate of replacement than some other, non-rotating replacement joints.

Regardless of what type of replacement knee a patient receives, the simple truth is that knee replacement surgery is an invasive procedure with a long and arduous recovery and rehab time. Patients typically experience quite a bit of pain following the surgery and the soreness can persist well beyond the duration of rehab. Some physical therapists may employ the use of a CPM - or continuous passive motion device- or flex machine as they are frequently called in order to restore movement and flexibility after knee replacement surgery. DePuy knee replacements, with their rotating design may lead to improved recovery time, with full use being restored in less than a year.

Though DePuy knee replacements may not be suitable for all patients, there are many other options available as well which will allow patients suffering from knee pain to regain their mobility.

How to Overcome a Sore Stiff Knee - The Lazy Man's Guide to Dealing With the Pain - Special Report

Do you have soreness or stiffness in your knees?

The problem is, knee pain, soreness and stiffness cannot be wished away. They are generally signs of an undying condition or are a sign that you have over exerted the use of your knees. When you first begin to experience such issues you will need to determine the origin of the stiffness and pain.

If you have not been doing anything out of the ordinary and have began to experience a sore stiff knee, then you may have a medical problem for which you may need to seek the assistance of a trained physician.

Why Do I Have A Sore Stiff Knee?

That's a good question! If you have already seen a doctor and are still experiencing a sore stiff knee there are a few things that you might want to consider and speak to your doctor about further.

For instance, if your knees are sore and stiff or pop and grind, then you could be suffering from patellofemoral syndrome, which is also more commonly known as "runner's knee."

Women are more apt to have patellofemoral syndrome than men are, due to the fact that it involves the grinding of bone caused by a misaligned kneecap that grates over the thighbone. Women have larger thighbones, and it is believed that they are more apt to acquire this disorder that can cause stiff knees. Don't let the syndromes slang name "runner's knee" make you think that the syndrome is exclusive to athletes. Individuals who exert their knee through other means or are even couch potatoes can still be diagnosed with patellofemoral syndrome.

Another common cause of sore stiff knees can be attributed to tendonitis. This is an inflammation of the tendons that connect your kneecaps to your shinbones. Tendonitis can cause stiffness and soreness in the knees, making it very uncomfortable for the person who is dealing with it.

These are just two of the most obvious reasons that you could be experiencing sore still knee pain. However, your stiffness could be a result of simply overusing your knees in strenuous activity.

How Do I Make My Sore Stiff Knee Pain Go Away?

There are a variety of medical related alternatives involving physical therapy and medications that could ease the stiffness in your knee (speak with your physician prior to taking any medications). However, the most common and effective treatments can usually be done from the convenience of your home.

Simple rest and elevation of the knees can increase blood flow and can likewise ease the pain from stiffness.

In addition individuals who have worn a knee brace when first experiencing stiffness of the knees have reported that their stiffness subsided or had simply gone away. A knee brace can provide extra comfort and support of the knee, which can help promote healing. On top of that a knee brace costs pennies on the dollar and is one the simplest methods of putting an end to sore stiff knee pain, especially compared to long term usage of pain medications or that of surgery.

Hot Yoga For Knee Pain

Do you suffer from knee pain? Either from an injury or surgery? My knee pain was due to a torn medial meniscus (cartilage) that I had removed in 1983. About 2 years ago my knee pain had intensified so I started to look for an exercise that I could do that would not aggravate my knee. Running definitely was not it! My search lead me to Bikram (hot) Yoga.

I had never heard of this type of yoga before, so did a bit of a search and found that there was a studio nearby. Bikram Yoga is practised in a room heated to approximately 38 degrees C, goes for 90 minutes, with 26 poses which are practised in a certain sequence. Each pose is held for 20-30 seconds, is done twice and prepares your body for the next. During the class you will work every muscle and every system of your body. You will feel like you've had a great workout. I found that the heat was very healing and alleviated my knee pain both whilst in class and after.

After attending Bikram (hot) Yoga for only a few months, I found that my knee pain had gone. I could do some poses that I never dreamed I'd be able to do, like this Fixed Firm Pose. I couldn't go all the way back in this pose yet, but I could sit with my knees flat and get most of the way back, and for me that was such an achievement. I always gauge myself through pain. If it hurts, then stop! Back off a little and just breathe into that pose.

Remember to focus on yourself, and not judge your class by what others can or can't do. Take it slowly and always check with your Yoga teacher if you are uncertain of anything.

Knee Replacement Surgery - New Range of Motion

There are so many concerns that you will be thinking about before going into an evasive surgery such as knee replacement. You will need to become as educated as you can about the subject beforehand. That is probably why you are here. Writing down all of your concerns so that you have a reference will keep a tight checklist of things you should ask your doctor about. Watch as many videos as you can and keep up with articles and news about your procedure so that you'll have peace of mind.

The surgery itself is just one part of the things you'll need to consider before talking to your doctor. You will have to get information on your recovery time, pain management and the equipment you'll need to have in your home for your rehabilitation. These are things that your surgeon will be able to easily answer for you. In this article we are going to take a look at the range of motion you can expect.

Doing your research and getting valuable information from knee replacement manufacturer's websites will give you much needed answers on what to expect. They can offer information that can help speed up your recovery. Increasing your range of motion in your new knee is a lot of work. How much time you spend getting your body in sync with your replacement knee will increase your range of motion dramatically. If you spend too much time laying in bed or sitting on the couch, it will take much longer to get back to the activities you once loved. Following the advice of your doctor and physical therapist will help greatly in increasing range of motion. Stay vigilant to the exercises that they prescribe.

When on the road to your recovery, consult your doctor about what additional exercises you can do to ramp up your rehabilitation. You need to be careful not to put too much pressure on your new knee, but this is the point that certain exercises can help increase your range of motion. For more information about proven techniques to increase your knee's range of motion and getting the results you desire, visit http://www.knee-replacement-video.com.

What Can You Do If You Suffer From Runners Knee To Stop It Coming Back?

Do You Suffer From Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)? Have you ever had knee pain; a rather general tenderness in the knee that can come with a sharper pain when you extend the knee, or step down steps? You might just be experiencing a condition known as Runners Knee (also called Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome).

As you might surmise from the title, patellofemoral pain syndrome, or runner's knee, is a problem generally found in runners, but it's also seen in athletes from many other disciplines where there's a lot of knee bending activity - walking, running, jumping, biking, and so on.

What is Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)?

Runners knee is not really a single ailment, it's more of an expression that covers a number of concerns caused by a number of underlying problems, all of which can result in pain in and about the knee, hence the name 'Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome'.

Runners knee is usually induced through activities where use of the knee is prominent like running, court sports, hill walking, etc - but it can also happen when simply walking up or down steps, or from sitting for long periods at a time.

What Causes Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)?

There are multiple causes of runners knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome), and it's not uncommon to see more than one of these factors coming into play for any given person sufffering from this ailment.

Any surplus irritation or stress placed on the various components of the knee named above can cause aggravation that will be identified as runners knee.

Overuse - plain and simple over-doing it. Repeated heavy stress placed on any joint will, over time, normally result in pain or damage.

Injury to the knee - if you have fallen or had some sort of injury to the knee, or leg, you may have displaced the patella, stressed the ligaments, or affected the muscle wellness and balance in the thigh or calves.

Alignment concerns - your kneecap might not sit right, either naturally, as a result of an injury. The bones in your leg may not be well aligned, or you might have foot issues producing awkward foot pronation.

Foot Problems - over pronation and flat feet can cause even more tension on muscles and tendons in the foot and lower leg - the added stretching of the muscles like this can bring on weaker muscles and reduces support for the knee.

Weak muscles in the leg - your quadriceps are the primary muscle responsible for flexing the knee, and are necessary for actions such as walking, running, jumping, and squatting. Weakened thigh muscles (quadriceps) are often believed to be the major cause of Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome).

How are you able to treat and prevent Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)?

Because there's no single condition and no simple source, therapy for runners knee will depend upon an accurate analysis of the underlying cause.

Rest - As with most leg injuries, the first course of treatment method is to rest.

Ice - If the pain is bad enough, you can ice the joint to help lessen the pain.

Knee Support - Wearing a protective sleeve or taping the joint may also help reduce the stress placed on the knee.

Footwear - Correcting issues including overpronation or flat feet can also help protect against patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Muscle Strengthening - stretching and bolstering activities can help because stronger, more flexible, muscles provide improved support and stabilization for the knee.

Switch Your Activities - Reducing the mileage you run, finding flatter runs, or less court time, will help to reduce the pain simply because you are cutting down the stress.

Cross Training - adding low impact activities and workouts to your program can help with muscle wellness - strength and flexibility.

This article is not intended to substitute expert guidance, always consult a qualified specialist before taking any medicine or embarking on a physical therapy program.