Welcome to Episode 10 of Past Your Prime!
Knee pain is one of the most frustrating and misunderstood issues in training, rehab, and sports performance. In this episode, Craig Smith (physical therapist & strength coach) and Alex Keicher (pro volleyball player & busy dad) tackle common knee pain myths, break down real rehab strategies, and even perform a live knee assessment.
🔹 Think stretching fixes everything? Think again.
🔹 Heard that strengthening your hips will “cure” knee pain? Not so fast.
🔹 Wondering if kinesio tape or ice is the secret? We’ve got some thoughts.
Plus, we check in on Craig’s neck rehab and Alex’s latest training updates—including his first 10-minute run in years (cue the apocalypse survival plan).
Injury Updates
Before jumping into the knee breakdown, Craig and Alex share their latest injury & rehab updates:
- Craig’s neck pain? Finally improving (this time, he’s actually following his home plan).
- Alex’s wrist? Getting better, but his TFL is flaring up after extra plyometrics and a bonus gym session.
- Alex’s big milestone? He officially ran for 10 minutes straight—we may need a survival strategy if he keeps this up.
Key Topics in This Episode
This episode is packed with real talk, expert insights, and practical strategies for understanding and fixing knee pain:
1. Why Knee Pain is More Complex Than You Think
- It’s not just about hip strength or valgus control.
- Why traditional rehab oversimplifies knee pain (and what to do instead).
2. Knee Pain Myths Busted
- Stretching alone won’t fix your knee pain.
- YouTube “quick fixes” and why most rehab advice is missing the big picture.
- Why the hip obsession in knee pain rehab is often misleading.
3. Live Knee Assessment Breakdown
- Craig walks through ligament tests, meniscus checks, and key ways to diagnose knee issues.
- What most people (and some clinicians) get wrong about knee evaluations.
4. What Actually Works for Knee Pain
- Tissue capacity and how to build resilience in the knee.
- Movement analysis—identifying what’s causing your pain instead of just treating symptoms.
- Strategic rehab & progressive loading (no, you don’t need to avoid squatting forever).
5. Why Ice & Kinesio Tape Are Overrated (Hot Take Alert!)
- Why ice might not be helping as much as you think.
- Kinesio tape: Does it really work, or is it just a placebo?
6. When to Use Braces, Straps, & Taping for Knee Pain
- The role of artificial stabilization and when bracing actually helps.
- Why some knee braces can cause more harm than good.
7. The Best Exercises for Knee Pain Relief
- Quad activation and why your quads might be undertrained.
- Meniscus mobilization techniques to improve knee function.
- Isometric exercises for athletes with chronic knee issues.
8. Why Knee Pain Keeps Coming Back (And How to Stop It)
- The cycle of knee pain relapse and why most rehab plans fail.
- How to create a long-term plan that actually keeps you pain-free.
Got Knee Pain? We’ll Break It Down for You!
Have knee pain and want a personalized breakdown? Drop a comment below, and Craig might analyze your case in a future episode!
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Follow along for real talk on injuries, training, and aging like a boss.
PYP, baby! 👊
- Website: PastYourPrime.com
- Follow on Instagram: @Craig Smith and @Alex Keicher
- Subscribe on YouTube: Watch Here
