Avoid Knee Injuries

Tai Chi, as an excellent form of Chinese martial arts, has gained increasing recognition for its fitness and health benefits as society evolves. Nowadays, more and more people are participating in Tai Chi practice. Among those who practice Tai Chi, some may experience varying degrees of knee pain, and some may even suffer from long-term knee injuries due to persistent practice. So, how can we avoid knee injuries when practicing Tai Chi? In our long-term teaching practice, we have always paid close attention to this issue and have conducted specific analyses. As you know, the knee joint is the connection point between the tibia and fibula with the femur. The front is the patella, and between them are two crescent-shaped cartilages known as the meniscus. The knee joint is surrounded by ligaments and muscles, forming a capsule. This structure shows that the knee is not a ball-and-socket joint. Its main function is to bend backward in the direction of the tibia and femur, with limited lateral rotation. The knee's lateral movement is mainly achieved through the sliding of the menisci. This structure makes the knee prone to injury if uneven or excessive force is applied. After a long period of practice and summarization, we believe that the main causes of knee pain or injury can be classified into four aspects: