Knee Pain
Chiropractic Treatment for Knee Pain
No matter how strong the rest of your body may be, an ailing knee can make you feel helpless. This structure must bear considerable weight, whether you’re simply standing in place, walking, running, or jumping as part of your regular routine. Fortunately, you can obtain relief from knee pain without resorting to surgery. Our team at MCR Chiropractic can administer natural, non-invasive treatments to help you get that nagging pain under control. If you’re ready to control your pain, contact an MCR Chiropractic clinic near you today!
Understanding Knee Pain
The knee is essentially a hinge-style joint, with strong connective tissues that permit back-and-forth motion, but only limited lateral motion. A sports injury or other accident that places lateral stress on the knee can rupture ligaments or tear muscles. More commonly, however, knee pain occurs due to chronic problems such as arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, repetitive motion injuries, and abnormal tissue strain from an asymmetrical stance or gait (which in turn often results from a spinal misalignment). The more you weigh, the more strain and deterioration the knee joints may encounter.
Chiropractic Can Restore Lower-Body Balance
Chiropractic adjustments can correct many of the imbalances that produce chronic knee pain. If the pain actually stems from a spinal imbalance, you may need chiropractic adjustments to your lower back. Our team may also recommend exercises and other care to strengthen your postural support and keep your joints limber.
We serve at these locations: Attleboro, Braintree, Brockton, Dorchester, Fall River, Newton, Norwell, Pembroke, Quincy, Raynham, Saugus, Somerset, Stoughton, Taunton, Walpole, West Roxbury, Weymouth, and Wrentham.
Contact one of our MCR Chiropractic locations to schedule an appointment for knee pain today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Pain
What causes knee pain?
Knee pain most commonly develops from patellofemoral syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome, ligament sprains of the ACL or MCL, meniscus irritation, patellar tendinopathy, or the joint changes associated with osteoarthritis. Because the knee functions as the middle link between the hip and the foot, chiropractors also frequently identify contributing factors above and below the joint, including lumbar spine dysfunction, hip flexor tightness, or overpronation of the foot that place uneven mechanical demand on the knee and drive conditions like IT band syndrome and patellofemoral pain to persist or recur.
Can a chiropractor help with knee pain?
Yes. Chiropractic care addresses conditions like patellofemoral syndrome, meniscus irritation, and patellar tendinopathy by restoring proper joint mechanics both within the knee and throughout the surrounding kinetic chain. Your chiropractor may perform targeted joint manipulation or mobilization of the knee, hip, or lumbar spine to reduce the stiffness that contributes to IT band syndrome and patellofemoral tracking problems, combined with soft tissue techniques to address tension in the quadriceps, hamstrings, and iliotibial band. This approach addresses problems in the knee as well as movement or strength issues in the hip, back, or surrounding muscles that may contribute to runner’s knee and patellar tendinopathy.
Can a chiropractor help with knee arthritis?
Yes, MCR Chiropractic can help. While chiropractic care cannot reverse the joint changes associated with knee osteoarthritis, it is a well-supported conservative approach for managing osteoarthritis-related pain and maintaining function. By improving mobility in the knee joint and the surrounding hip and lumbar spine, chiropractic treatment tailor treatment to your specific movement needs and health goals. The MCR approach helps distribute mechanical load more evenly across arthritic joint surfaces, reducing the compressive stress that drives osteoarthritis pain and stiffness. Guided therapeutic exercise to build strength in the quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteal muscles complements joint treatment and can meaningfully improve pain levels and walking tolerance in people living with knee osteoarthritis.
Can back or hip problems cause knee pain?
Yes, and it is one that is frequently overlooked. Conditions like patellofemoral syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome, and patellar tendinopathy are often directly driven by restricted hip mobility, gluteal weakness, or lumbar spine dysfunction rather than a problem originating in the knee itself. Reduced hip rotation forces the knee to compensate during walking and squatting, causing the kneecap to track improperly, a primary driver of patellofemoral pain. Similarly, lumbar dysfunction can alter the nerve supply to the muscles that stabilize the knee against IT band and patellar tendon stress. Chiropractors look at how your back, hips, knees, and feet move together to identify problems that may be placing extra stress on your knee.
When should I see a chiropractor for knee pain?
If your knee pain follows significant trauma and involves suspected ACL or MCL tears, a locked or acutely swollen joint, or an inability to bear weight, imaging or orthopedic evaluation should be the first step. Chiropractic care may be considered as part of a conservative management plan for knee conditions that develop gradually, such as patellofemoral syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome, patellar tendinopathy, and mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, especially when contributing factors in the hip, lumbar spine, or foot mechanics are suspected. For many knee conditions, chiropractic care works effectively alongside physical therapy management. Your chiropractor can help determine the most appropriate care pathway for your specific situation and work our Bay State Physical Therapy partners to get you the proper care you need to heal your knee pain.