Hi Jason and the Movemore community 👋,

My injury background :
3 ACL tears in the same knee + ACL reconstructions + meniscal injury (internal part)

Background :
While performing an isometric low-bridge, I brought my heels as close as possible to my buttocks to promote dorsiflexion and improve my starting position. My shins were then almost parallel to the ground. I felt a slight transition/gentle rotation movement at the knee joint associated with a very slight "pinching" at the tissue and/or structural level. What followed for 20 days was discomfort that did not cause me pain, but rather discomfort and somatic pain (which you have probably felt if you have had past injuries).

Before explaining the solutions I have tried to resolve this problem, I ask you the following questions:

• Have you ever experienced joint misalignment ? If yes, what solution(s) / what was beneficial for you in this context ?
• Did you have any subluxations ? If yes, what solution(s) / what was beneficial for you in this context ?

After 20 days, here is what helped me return to normal joint function :
• The problem came upstream (i.e. the hip), not from the knee itself.
• I slowly mobilized circular/spiral patterns (90/90, squat routine, floorwork routine) in order to identify and diagnose what my 'healthy' side does better than the other. In the context of floorwork I felt that my pelvis and my hip did not have the same contact surface as the 'healthy' side... So I improved that.
• I approached the concept of 'micro' and 'macro', that is to say that from a floorwork pattern that seemed relevant and adapted to my context... I 'stretched' my body from one end to the other (as if we had just woken up), with the intention of stretching each joint area from the lower body to the upper body... and vice versa in a strict horizontal, linear and non-linear vector. The sensation felt was a sensation of 'untying' a circular structure that had frozen, probably to protect itself at the base.

Here is my feedback. I hope it will provide you with some answers.

Dear Koulouf,

Thank you for taking the time to share your journey and leaving practical insights to help others. It's wonderful of you to contribute in this way.

How is your knee-recover at the moment? Are you still using specific tools for its rehabilitation/ongoing prehab?

You have followed the movement-recovery perspective well here - unfortunately, so different to what would be prescribed by most medical institutions.

I have never experienced joint-misalignment nor subluxation in the knee, but many times in my right shoulder (both from trauma, such as falling, also acute-training, and "overuse"). Each time generally less severe and now not for a long, long time, although I know it still hides there in certain positions. I am aware.

In the initial stages it's the daily work. Beginning with low-intensity, unloaded, open kinetic-chain movements working in all directions of the available range of motion, repetitions throughout the day into the thousands. Blood-circulation, "mapping" what's un/available, tissue-care.

From there, daily progressive loading, open kinetic-chain, progressing to closed kinetic-chain. Gradually exploring, developing & loading a greater range of motion, and where possible within re-/developing a skill - most often toward the thing which caused/contributed to the injury in the first place.

Coming back stronger.

It's empowering when you achieve this process. But it comes always at some point, if you love to move, and move a lot.

So, we need to be ready for it. Have the tools, the knowledge - and the understanding.
That it takes time. It can be a (years) long road. And organic growth is never linear.

We learn from any mistakes, we grow wiser, and we get better at one of the most important and powerful skill of them all in the game of physical practice - sustainability!

J

Hi Jason 👋,

At 40 days, the knee is now doing very well. Regarding the use of specific tools, I would say that above all, you must cultivate FREQUENCY (move 5-10-15 minutes as often as possible within the tolerated ranges) and PLEASURE, that's all haha ​​😊.

To be more pragmatic, the ground, and more specifically the basic 'floorwork' or 'groundwork' tools are relevant... This builds CONFIDENCE. Also, your written recommendations are relevant.

I would add that, in addition, between the 20th and 30th days, I had an osteopathy session with a practitioner with whom I have excellent communication (a fundamental aspect of successful therapy). In short, she was a good LISTENER and PASSIONATE. The treatment was comprehensive and not knee-specific.

RESULTS :
• a left ankle that was stiff at certain angles = unlocking
• The maxilla (or maxillary bone) = unlocking

In order to help you as best I can, I wanted to clarify my previous comment: "• The problem was coming from upstream (i.e., the hip), and not from the knee itself."

Indeed, I had felt DISCOMFORT. Not outright pain, but a joint misalignment in the knee. But this was triggered by a NEW BOUT OF MOBILITY in the hip.

This small increase in mobility in my hip... unlocked more than a movement. It awakened something. A memory. A stress. Something buried there for a long time.

Because certain areas of your body aren't "closed" by chance. They've absorbed. They've frozen.

So when you release them, there can be a reaction. Not pathological. But profound. A discomfort that shakes you up, that raises questions.

Indeed, knowing that we are all going to get injured at one point or another, the important thing is not to know 'when are we going to get injured?'... No! The important thing is to know, 'what protocol are we going to put in place to rebuild ourselves as best as possible?'.

Shine !

Koulouf,

Again, thank you for sharing. Certainly, every psycho-emotional trauma we experience is connected with a physical manifestation. Often unknown, until we begin to explore. Hence those who ARE exploring, such as those exploring Movement Practice, are certainly going to encounter them throughout their journey.

This is nothing less than the necessary process of growth.

The book 'The Body Keeps the Score', is a great one to pick up on this subject, if you haven't already. Heavy reading, given the traumatic stories, but powerful and relevant.

To add to 'what protocol are we going to put in place to rebuild', I will add - how will we RECEIVE the occurrence on our SUBTLE (e.g. psycho-emotional) layers? Injury for anyone is traumatic, but for those who actively express & explore through their physical vessels feel this more deeply. Very often the protocols can be found - but the mindset to ACCEPT and move forward in the new circumstances with a smile on the face and fire in the heart requires an internal power which extends beyond the physical practice!