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rediffGURU Rebecca Pinto, a physiotherapist and nutritionist, has been helping patients with physical difficulties resulting from illness, injuries and ageing.
Do you ignore your knee pain?
Do you often complain of back pain due to poor posture?
Are you struggling to get back in form after an injury, a serious health condition or life-threatening surgery?
Early diagnosis is the first step towards preventing injuries and discomfort in the future.
rediffGURU Rebecca Pinto is a physiotherapist, nutritionist and founder of Dr Rebecca's Physiotherapy.
She has been helping patients with physical difficulties resulting from illness, injuries and ageing for over nine years.
HARISANKAR: What to be done to get relief from knee pain?
Hi Harisankar.
To get rid of knee pain, you can work on improving the strength of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles primarily.
Also, it’s best to diagnose the cause of the pain before you start with any exercise.
Anonymous: Hi, I am 35 yr old male. I have a query regarding 'Restless legs syndrome'.
Since childhood I have a tendency to keep moving my legs while sitting.
When working on a computer in a sitting position on a chair, I feel comfortable only when I keep my legs horizontal on another chair.
I feel very very uncomfortable keeping my legs vertical hanging down.
Wearing socks makes it a bit comfortable.
Even at night I wear socks to get a good night's sleep.
What can be the cause for the same and how do I reduce/ prevent it?
My food intake, weight, blood pressure, sleep pattern are normal.
I also follow a strict fitness regime since my childhood which includes running and sports.
One observation is that whenever I sweat due to exercise, I feel much better.
Hi. Apply warm or cool packs.
Use of heat or cold, or the alternate use of both, may lessen the limb sensations.
Establish good sleep hygiene.
Fatigue tends to worsen symptoms of RLS, so it's important that you practise good sleep hygiene.
Ashish: Hi Rebecca, I am a 41-year-old male.
Whenever I keep my legs still for some time -- like in a movie hall or sit in the same position -- within 10 minutes I get tingling sensation (it goes to sleep as they say), what is it?
Also, I feel I have loose muscles.
I can't lift much weight as compared to 3-4 years ago. Is this normal?
Hi. Please visit an orthopaedic and get an X-ray of the lower back to understand if there is any degenerative issue.
It’s better to get it checked since it’s a frequent problem.
sedrick: My daughter is 14 and underwent a knee surgery for ACL and MCl tear a month ago and is now undergoing physiotherapy for the last 1 month.
How many weeks of physiotherapy is generally needed for this surgery?
Hi Sedrick.
Post a knee surgery, physio treatment goes on for 2-3 months depending on the patient’s tolerance to pain.
And if the exercises have been done more than once in the day too.
If their pain threshold is less and exercises are only done once a day, then it takes longer.
It’s best to make sure the knee has good strength before you discontinue.
Peesay: Dear Team, My left leg in thinner than right leg and I am unable to walk perfectly. Please help.
Hi Peesay.
Working out on both leg muscles will resolve this but before that get the length of the leg checked too.
It’s best to go to a nearby physio clinic for a proper evaluation.
Priyabrataa: For the past 3-4 days, I am feeling stiffness in my back in the early morning while lying on bed. But it becomes OK as the day progresses.
What can I do to get relief?
Hi Priyabrataa.
Chances are that the surface you sleep on is causing the pain.
Change your place of sleeping for 4-6 days -- find a comfortable alternative -- and see the difference.
Shrinivas: Hi, I am 39 years old. While walking for more than five minutes, cramp and sensation starts on both the legs.
When I stop and take rest for two minutes, cramp and sensation go away. This is happening for past three months.
My blood tests are normal. Can you please suggest what needs to be done?
Hi Shrinivas.
Please get your vit B12 levels checked and get and X-ray of your lumbar spine to understand if you have a degenerative issue at that level that’s affecting the nerves in your leg.
It’s best to consult an orthopaedic.
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