Muay Thai and Knees

NiikouruDesu
NiikouruDesu Posts: 100
in Fitness and Exercise
Another knee thread.
I've just started Muay Thai (loving it) but kicking the heavy bags, plus the twisting motion is stressing my knees.
Any tips for avoiding knee pain while still performing powerful kicks?

Replies

  • Pams_Shadow
    Pams_Shadow Posts: 233 Member
    Don't forget to pivot when kicking. You shouldn't be twisting at the knee, you should be pivoting on the ball of your foot.
  • mreeves261
    mreeves261 Posts: 728 Member
    Slow down and work on your form. You should not be twisting at the knee. You should be pivoting on the ball of your foot. Practice the motion slowly and without the force. Once you have the motion down then start cranking the power back into it.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    pivot on the balls of your feet.
  • SunofaBeach14
    SunofaBeach14 Posts: 4,899 Member
    As everyone else has said, pivot on the ball of your foot. I'd add strength training to make sure that your quads and hamstrings are balanced.
  • NiikouruDesu
    NiikouruDesu Posts: 100
    I forgot to mention I did Taekwondo for 11 years and never had this problem. I do pivot on the balls of my feet.
    The style in Muay Thai is different however, where you must step in and forwards before you kick, or switch kick, rather than straight up from fighting stance. Even the stance itself is different (back stance for offense?!). I've had 3 lessons so far and ask as many questions as I can without becoming annoying but knees are growing a dull ache, which is pronounced during running on the treadmill at the gym :(
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    i also did tkd for about 10 years myself, and did muay thai for about a month (i just couldn't fit it in my schedule). kicking was different as i was closer to my target and didn't have to get the distance to hit with my instep.

    after so many years of a different martial art, it's tough to break some of the muscle memory you developed.

    just talk to the coaches, and keep working the bag to develop some new muscle memory.
  • NiikouruDesu
    NiikouruDesu Posts: 100
    I do heavy leg press (105kg) and cycle everywhere so my quads are strong. But I've never thought about working my hamstrings WHOOPS. I should work on hammi's. I stretch them a lo so I am already hearing myself say "unbalanced".
  • Escloflowne
    Escloflowne Posts: 2,038 Member
    If you have knee problems, build the muscle around them! Squats and deadlifts!
  • default
    default Posts: 124 Member
    Sounds like you're flicking your kicks instead of using you hips and entire body. You should talk to your instructor, that's what they are there for.

    Thai boxing is completely different than tkd.
  • SunofaBeach14
    SunofaBeach14 Posts: 4,899 Member
    Talk to your instructor and your orthopedist. If you've been in martial arts for 11 years and haven't developed a relationship with an orthopedist by now then you are very lucky!

    This isn't something that a message board is going to be good for.
  • NiikouruDesu
    NiikouruDesu Posts: 100
    i also did tkd for about 10 years myself, and did muay thai for about a month (i just couldn't fit it in my schedule). kicking was different as i was closer to my target and didn't have to get the distance to hit with my instep.

    after so many years of a different martial art, it's tough to break some of the muscle memory you developed.

    just talk to the coaches, and keep working the bag to develop some new muscle memory.

    Nice :)
    It is tough to break muscle memory. Especially punching from the chin not hip. Until you get punched in the face, then you don't forget.
    Kicks too, I will practice good form on my bag at home and not kick too hard until I get it down.
    Thanks everyone for your inputs!
  • NiikouruDesu
    NiikouruDesu Posts: 100
    I will look at the prices of orthopedists as well. Hope they are cheaper than an osteo.
    I will start doing squats and deadlifts more regularly
    I'll seek professional advice
    Thanks again :)

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