Many patients will see chiropractors for painful conditions in the extremities, including the knee. In most acute or chronic mechanical knee pain cases, a chiropractor can help you recover from knee pain!
The Bottom Line:
Did you know that chiropractors see nearly 27 million Americans each year? While most people know chiropractors as spine doctors, patients don't always come in for back pain. Many patients will see chiropractors for painful conditions in the extremities, including the knee. In most acute or chronic mechanical knee pain cases, a chiropractor can help you recover from knee pain!
Why It Matters:
A chiropractor's main focus in treating knee pain is on helping to regain full function in the knee joint and improve mobility. Following a thorough examination to determine the actual cause of the knee pain, a chiropractor may perform any of the following procedures.
1. Adjusting the Knee - Four bones make up the complex knee joint, the femur, tibia, fibula, and patella. These bones must strike the perfect balance of being stable and mobile throughout almost all daily activities. In addition, they must work optimally with the ligaments, tendons, and joint capsules surrounding them. Gentle manipulation of the joint can help with maintaining these processes.
2. Soft Tissue Massage - We all love massages, but getting soft tissue work done for knee pain is a more directed therapeutic technique. Typically, a chiropractor will use this to target specific muscles that may contribute to the cause of your knee pain. Working on the deeper structures or utilizing trigger-point therapy can help to increase the range of motion and decrease inflammation.
3. Taping - Taping is a treatment that may be used in addition to prescriptive exercise to improve function and reduce any associated painful symptoms. Some chiropractors will use taping to improve blood flow to an area and reduce bruising.
Next Steps:
Most activities you complete throughout the day have the potential to be interrupted by knee pain, affecting your quality of life. A chiropractor can help treat and prevent discomfort from knee pain - helping you get back to doing what you love! Chiropractors can, without a doubt, play a role in treating knee pain, and it's important to call us as soon as possible if you're experiencing knee pain.
Science Source:
1. American Chiropractic Association | Hands Down Better (2021). About Chiropractic [Online]