STRESS AND KNEE PAIN: WHAT’S THE CONNECTION?
As an Applied Kinesiologist, my job is to understand relationships between the musculoskeletal system, organs, and glands. The body is a complex, finely tuned, and integrated system; rarely does a problem occur in one place, especially over time, that does not affect other areas of the body, and/or mind. Our cells and systems are continually communicating, liver to large intestine, heart to chest and arm, ankle to hip (etc.) - AND adrenal glands to the knees.
You have two adrenal glands, which are often referred to as "stress glands." An Applied Kinesiologist knows there are 5 muscles related to both the adrenals and the knees: Sartorius, Gracilis, Posterior Tibialis, Gastrocnemius and Soleus. These muscles serve to move the hips, knees, calves and feet. When they are not functioning efficiently, the joints they act on cannot work well either. This causes stress on those joints.
For now, let’s focus on the knees. Over time, the lack of proper function and support puts stress on the ligaments of the knee: the ACL, meniscus, and collateral ligaments. This can often lead to tearing. If this is your experience, you may think of yourself as doomed: that you can no longer play tennis, ski, or run ever again! But maybe that depressing scenario can be avoided altogether.
In addition to examining range of motion and muscle strength, conducting orthopedic tests, looking at the lumbar spine and sacrum (where the nerves that innervate the knee originate) to make sure no interference is occurring at that level to disturb knee function, I also inquire about my patients’ stress level.
If a person is highly stressed, her/his adrenal glands are working overtime and can become depleted. One of the adrenal glands’ main functions is to make anti-inflammatory hormones, like cortisol (think natural cortisone). If the adrenals are depleted due to chronic stress, inflammation can run wild in many areas of the body. In this discussion we are focusing on how this inflammation, caused by stress, affects the knees. Should this be the case, the patient may need specific nutritional support for the adrenals in order for the muscles and ligaments of the knee to mend.
In my 30-plus years of practice I have seen many a “near surgical” knee problem that turned out to be caused by stress-induced adrenal fatigue. As an alternative to heading towards surgery, we can support the adrenal glands with nutritional supplements, along with herbal adaptogens such as ginseng, rhodiola or ashwagandha. We can correct structural misalignments, either in the knee, spine, hip or ankle, and strengthen the muscles and associated glands through specific lymphatic or vascular reflexes to further resolve the knee problem.
While many a problem may appear to be only musculoskeletal, as a holistic doctor I believe it’s important to examine and treat the body/mind; to consider both internal and external factors, and not only “where it hurts.” A more integrated approach provides a better opportunity for deeper and longer lasting healing to take place.