I now know why I have bursitis in my left knee.
The PT wanted me to show her how I spin and how I run. Yesterday, we started with spin. She had me bring my spin shoes and get on a regular exercise bike and start riding. Immediately she said, “I see the problem.” But then she backtracked. She became concerned that she was looking for the problem that she suspected I had, and was biased. So she had me keep pedaling as she called another PT over.
“Do you notice anything unusual about the way Dori is riding?” my PT asked the other.
“Her left leg is bending inwards,” the other PT said.
“Exactly!” my own PT exclaimed.
And there is the problem. When I spin, my right leg moves in a straightforward way. My left leg, on the other hand, curves inwards each time I push the pedal down. This also happens when I run. And when I use the elliptical. I will be running for PT on Tuesday, but we both know what it will show. Even the boy had noticed that my alignment is all off when I run. I have bursitis because my knee is bent in an unnatural way for repeated movements.
And to be honest, I had noticed that my leg wasn’t pedaling forward in spin once. I saw it was curving inwards and assumed something was wrong with my shoe or the way my shoe was clipped in. I never considered that something was wrong with me!
What do I do? First, I need to strengthen my tushie. Particularly the left side, which is much weaker than the right for some reason. That weakness contributes to my alignment problems. The exercises are the same I am used to from Core Fusion, Physique 57, Nalini Method, The Body. We are also working on strengthening my quads, hamstrings, glutes on the leg press machine — with more emphasis on my left side.
PT said that when I start spinning again, I should be aware of my leg and actively push it outwards where it belongs. Of course, spin won’t be fun if I am constantly thinking about where my leg is and wonderfing if my alignment is all right. But the good news is that after actively thinking about my alignment in spin, running, elliptical, etc for enough time — my brain will get the message and it will become automatic for me to align properly.
Also, I had mentioned that the way I sit is contributing to the problem. Unfortunately, that is by far the most comfortable position for me when I sit! I find myself doing it ALL the time. Every time I catch it, I unravel. But I never feel as comfortable after. I am trying to train my body not to twist into that left leg crossed over right, left ankle behind right position anymore!
Jen left a comment asking what I do for exercise since my knee is all messed up. Well, I can’t run, bike (oops), elliptical. Stairmaster is not an optnion either. I have 13 Core Fusion classes in my hand that I haven’t even used yet because I have been so busy! But I plan to start with them soon. Basically, I have been trying to walk more. And also just not exercising. I thought I would blow up into some puffed up version of myself but luckily this hasn’t happened (yet).
Some time during the next few weeks, I need to take a spin class and see how it goes. The PT wants be to get on this soon, so I will try to make some time for one!
Now if only we can figure out the cause of my shoulder injury…
In other news, it is the weekend! Today I have to endure a horrible medical test that I am dreading. Then I am freeeeee. Tomorrow I am going to a wedding and getting my hair done at Blow. It is a blow dry bar! I usually don’t get my hair done because I get it Japanese straightened with Liscio products, but I am due for my next straightening — and not going until June 14!
For those of you who don’t know, my real hair is a Jewfro. There are so many different textures and a major inconsistency to the curls, and it was FRIZZY. It was impossible to manage and it never looked good and Japanese straightening changed my life. Here is a photo of a poster I was on for Bio Ionic straightening (the first time I got it done that is what I used. Liscio works MUCH better though, so that is what I recommend for everyone.):
Last night when I was trying to fall asleep, I thought of a great blog entry idea and a great title. Of course, all I am left with now is a vague indication of what it might have been about. The entry idea is gone. The great title is gone. Don’t you hate when that happens!
 And now I will leave you with something adorable. Here is Santana as a baby pup:
14 comments on Knee Explained & A Jewfro
3Pingbacks & Trackbacks on Knee Explained & A Jewfro
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[…] hair enough to tell beforehand, at this point it should have been crystal clear that my hair is a curly, frizzy mess. It was right in front of him and he still couldn’t […]
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[…] you know, my real hair is a Jewfro. I have been Japanese straightening it for years with Liscio products and that has made my life so […]
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[…] so ridiculous with 3 curly inches on top and many straight inches all the way through! I brought my before and after poster with me so the stylist will have a full understanding of my true hair so he can give me the best cut […]
Anne K.
May 29, 2009 at 10:21 am (16 years ago)I’m glad you figured out what the cause of the knee bursitis is! It’s so much easier to concentrate on fixing it that way.
Wow, that’s a really impressive before and after hair shot.
Aw, that pic of Santana is so cute!
Have a good Friday– I hope that medical test isn’t too bad.
Missy
May 29, 2009 at 11:16 am (16 years ago)Haha I love that picture of your hair. So great! Puppy Santana is sooo cute! Also did you see the Vital email today? We need to bring our rollerblades to the rink!
Dori
May 29, 2009 at 11:19 am (16 years ago)Missy – The Vital Juice email was about an ice skating rink. I don’t do cold!
Gina
May 29, 2009 at 1:19 pm (16 years ago)I hope you find a way to get your knee straightened out. My chiropractor told me that I should really limit my running because very few people are actually built with the perfect lower body form that is ideal for running (and I am not one of them…or I wouldn’t be at a chiropractor!).
Maggie
May 29, 2009 at 1:39 pm (16 years ago)Good luck with the knee =/
I love your hair ad! Your hair looks awesome. I always wanted to get that done, but since my hair is pretty straight to begin with… I haven’t tried it yet. I had a friend in HS who got it done and her hair looked a ton better.
Jen, a priorfatgirl
May 29, 2009 at 6:44 pm (16 years ago)somehow, I think it would be impossible for you to blow up into “PUFFY DORI”
Your hair looks so shiny (and beautiful) in the advertisement – what product did they use?
P.S. I have so many blogs stored in my unconcious, its ridiculous – we should start carrying a little notepad with us to write everything down!
Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter)
May 29, 2009 at 8:38 pm (16 years ago)Santana – precious! Oh my gosh, my hair is a total frizzy confused mop. I want Liscio. I wonder if anyone does that in Nashville. I’m off to google it and find out.
Sorry about your knee Dori, but at least you know why it hurts, and you can strengthen your booty to make it better. 🙂
Have a good weekend. I hope the test went okay today!
P.S. Just checked out I Know This Much is True. Can’t wait to start it.
Dori
May 30, 2009 at 7:09 am (16 years ago)Heather – You will have more luck searching for what salons do Japanese straightening and then calling them and asking what product they use!
Jen – Puffy Dori was around for 3 years of college!
Gina – Interesting info! Glad to know I am not the only one with a messed up lower body!
Sarah (Tales of Expansion)
May 30, 2009 at 3:09 pm (16 years ago)it must feel so good to get these knee answers (and to have a mission for fixing it in mind!), and i hope your survived the dreaded med test.
i ALWAYS admire how silky your hair is … i never knew it used to be curly!
Mariposa
May 31, 2009 at 8:16 pm (16 years ago)love your hair!!! my hair is pretty straight and sadly it has never EVER looked like that! even on my BEST blowdrying and straightening days.. boo!! i always wanted my hair curly though.. grass is always greener on the other side i think! i should be happy my hair is only slightly pouffy right?
the pup is so adorable i want to eat him up!!!
melissa
May 31, 2009 at 9:21 pm (16 years ago)that dog is so freaking cute I can’t stand it. it reminds me of my cocker spaniel when we got her.
I have serious alignment issues also, but I guess they haven’t directly impacted me yet. when I did the tower machines at kinespirit the dual pulley system really showed which sides and muscles were weaker than there counterpoints, it was interesting that you noticed it with your PT, it’s probably a good thing to be aware of. I am so so so excited to hear about your BPC! and I will be taking a raincheck on citrus!