HOW CARDIAC SURGEON DR DEVI SHETTY HEALED KNEE PAIN AT 55: ‘AS A YOUNG MAN, I WAS A BODYBUILDER, MARTIAL ARTIST’

How Dr Devi Shetty healed his knee pain (Source: Freepik, narayanahealth.com)

When the man responsible for saving countless lives shares how he turned around his health, we sit and listen! Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, renowned cardiac surgeon and founder-chairman of Narayana Health, had been struggling with knee pain since the age of 55. Now 72, the cardiac expert revealed in an interview with RJ Sharat for MyGov that he managed to heal his pain simply through the power of yoga.

"I'm not exaggerating, I did maybe 2-3 months of yoga, and the pain completely disappeared. Today, if you ask me whether it was my left knee or right, I have forgotten," he said. Detailing how he started this healthy practice, Dr Shetty added: "As a young man, I was a bodybuilder, a martial artist. When I reached the age of 55 or so, I started getting knee pain. My wife kept telling me that I should start yoga, that's how it all began."

Knee pain is one of the most common joint problems today, often caused by issues such as arthritis, injuries, muscle weakness, poor posture, or excess body weight. Many people also feel knee pain due to tight hips, weak thighs, or incorrect movement patterns while walking or exercising. The good news is that yoga can be a powerful, natural way to heal knee pain by improving flexibility, strengthening supporting muscles, and restoring balance to the body.

Never push through pain (Source: Freepik)

Yoga for knee pain

According to Yash Fadnavis, a yoga therapist and mobility and conditioning coach, yoga emphasises gentle movements, mindful breathing, and proper alignment, which help reduce stiffness and inflammation in the knees. Here are some simple joint exercises and stretches that help in that regard:

1. Warm Up First: Begin every session with 5–10 minutes of light movement such as ankle rotations or gentle leg stretches. This prepares your knees and prevents strain.

2. Strengthen Supporting Muscles: Focus on poses that strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves, the muscles that protect the knees.

• Chair Pose (Utkatasana): Strengthens thighs and stabilises the knee joint.

• Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana): Builds strong hamstrings and glutes to reduce knee pressure.

3. Improve Flexibility: Tight hips and calves often pull on the knees.

• Low Lunge (Anjaneyasana): Opens the hips and stretches the thighs.

• Reclined Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose (Supta Padangusthasana): Gently stretches the hamstrings.

4. Work on Balance: Balancing poses like Tree Pose (Vrikshasana) help improve knee stability and coordination, reducing the chance of injury.

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5. Use Props for Support: If you feel discomfort, place a folded blanket or yoga block under the knees. Never push through pain. Remember, gentle consistency brings lasting results.

6. Cool Down and Relax: End with Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani) to improve circulation and ease swelling in the knees.

Fadnavis suggested practising these yoga poses 3–4 times a week with mindful breathing can greatly reduce knee pain over time.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

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2025-10-11T06:07:27Z