For sporting and work related injuries such as RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury)
Most of the ailments with knees, shoulders, elbows, wrists, ankles etc can be alleviated with good practice if not fixed completely.
Fixed completely is a bit of a big call. Once you have had the initial injure, it is hard for the body to completely repair the damage done.
However if you change to a good practice when you first notice the injury you could consider it fixed completely.
An example of good practice is correcting RSI from typing or any job requiring an unnatural angle for the carpel tunnel. NOTE: It is important not to battle on when you first notice a pain. That's if it is not associated with a muscle, a muscle could benefit from a degree of stress, but cartilage and sinew will not. With the wrist it is most important to keep it straight, if you notice pain - watch the action while working.
I have had pain in my wrists, back, ankles and knees that I consider fixed by good practice. Although I had to learn the hard way, putting into practice what I have read and been taught. A buddy system, or proper training that is supported should prevent most RSI - remember cartilage and sinew isn't like muscle.
Part of good practice is correct strengthening and stretching which will alleviate a lot of the problem. For example whenever I notice a knee is getting sore. First I check if my shoes are worn, then I start back with a simple exercise that seems to fix it. And that is, while sitting I use one foot to lift and extend the other leg and then visa versa. When walking or running make sure you are striking first with the heel, this goes for when you are going up stairs as well, so the heel supports your weight.
Of course the old wives tale about getting sore knees when you are going in the wrong direction with your life could also be true ;-) who really knows.
That is such a simple exercise it is easy to forget about until the pain comes back. Back pain is similar, you forget about it until it comes back. Nine times out of 10 to correct this you need to extend your hamstrings. Touching your toes, or placing a heel on a chair with your hands clasped behind you bend forward (keeping shoulder back and back straight). Another one is to lift each knee while standing. Remember to hold the extensions for at least 15 seconds each time.
To protect the different stress points find a suitable stretch before the exertion. For example to protect your Achilles tendon just raise and tap your foot leaving the heel on the floor, 10-15 times each foot. To stretch and protect your elbows, place the back of your wrists together with your arms extended and hold.
As a practical exercise for my elbows I raise and lower myself in armchairs with the rests as if they were parallel bars. Another one for my knees is extending my leg with a small weight on my foot.
NOTE: It is important not to battle on when you first notice a pain. Look at the action of the body, and get some assistance, for as long as it takes for you to develop a good practice.
"May you live long and prosper" - some guy from Star Trek said that, I think.
