Can chiropractors adjust knees? This is a question that we often encounter from patients suffering from knee pain who are looking for natural treatment options. The answer to this question is yes; chiropractic care can help with knee pain by providing relief and improving joint function.
Knee pain affects millions of people worldwide, causing discomfort and limiting mobility. It can be caused by several different factors, including injury or inflammation of the joint, referred pain from the hip or back region, arthritis (both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid), or other underlying conditions.
In this article, we will explore how an experienced chiropractor can help alleviate your knee pain through various manipulation techniques. The techniques can be part of a personalized treatment plan that focuses on identifying the root cause(s) of your symptoms. We’ll also discuss common causes of knee pain along with possible treatments available.
Causes of Knee Pain
You’re not alone if you are experiencing knee pain. It is as common around the world as it can get! It can be caused by various factors, from injuries to degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Check them out-
-
Knee injuries
Knee injuries are relatively common, particularly among athletes and people who engage in physically demanding activities on a daily basis.
An injury to the knee joint, such as a tear in the ligaments or meniscus, can result in discomfort around the knee. For example, basketball players may experience strains and sprains from jumping or sudden lateral movements that put stress on the knees.
-
Knee osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis affects many people, especially older adults. This condition occurs when the cartilage in the knee joint wears down over time, causing bones to rub against each other and resulting in pain and inflammation.
Studies estimate that up to 27 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, making it one of the leading causes of disability among adults.
-
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial membrane in your joints, including your knees, leading to inflammation and pain.
This condition can further cause damage to articular cartilage and bone erosion in the knee joint. Hence it may lead to symptoms like stiffness, swelling, weakness, or instability around the knee area.
More than 1 million Americans are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, of which most can experience similar discomfort, according to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
-
Bursitis
Bursitis is a common cause of knee pain that can be effectively treated with the help of chiropractic care. Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs located around the knee joint that help reduce friction between bones and soft tissues.
When bursae become inflamed due to injury or overuse, it can lead to pain and swelling around the knee, resulting in bursitis.
-
Tendinitis
Tendinitis can be one of the initiators of knee pain, especially for athletes. This condition occurs when tendons — thick cords that attach muscles to bones — become inflamed due to repetitive use or injury. Tendinitis is common in the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone.
According to research by Stanford Children’s Health (2021), patellar tendinitis is more likely to exist in athletes whose workout includes running or jumping activities than in those who do low-impact exercises like cycling. Symptoms may include stiffness and burning sensations around the knee area, swelling near your kneecap while exercising, and climbing stairs.
-
Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS)
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) mostly affects runners and athletes. It occurs when the iliotibial band, a thick band of tissue running down the outside of your thigh from hip to knee, becomes irritated or inflamed due to overuse or poor training techniques.
ITBS pain often intensifies with each stride and may worsen without proper treatment.
Can Chiropractors Adjust Knees- Treatment Expectations
Want to explore natural treatment options for your knee pain? A chiropractor helps reduce pain and inflammation, improve knee health, and provide relief from chronic discomfort. But what should we expect from this whole procedure? Let’s find out!
-
Initial examination
At your first appointment, your chiropractor will conduct a thorough physical examination, including a detailed history of past injuries or existing medical conditions.
Your chiropractor may also request X-rays, MRI scans, or other tests to accurately diagnose your knee problem. They will also examine the surrounding areas because pain around the knee joint is often referred to from another location in the body.
This initial evaluation helps determine if you’re suffering from primary arthritis due to an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or secondary osteoarthritis.
-
Treatment plan
Once the chiropractor has identified the root cause of your knee pain, they will create a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
The treatment may involve chiropractic manipulation and mobilization techniques that adjust or realign joints throughout your body. This can help restore stability to the knee and alleviate joint stress caused by misalignment.
Chiropractic care also focuses on therapeutic exercises, stretching routines, and nutritional counseling that help reduce inflammation around the knee joint, further providing long-term relief from chronic pain.
-
Frequency of treatment
The frequency of chiropractic treatments will vary depending on the severity of your knee pain, but typically patients are seen once or twice a week.
For acute conditions, patients might require frequent appointments initially while recovering. However, as the condition improves over time with care and management plans that include a combination of manipulation methods and therapy exercises (that enhance strength and flexibility), it should remain visibly stable.
-
Duration of treatment
The duration of treatment varies depending on the severity and underlying cause of your knee pain. Generally, acute knee pain resulting from minor injuries can be resolved in a short time with chiropractic care.
Yet, chronic knee pain resulting from long-term conditions such as arthritis might require regular, ongoing appointments over an extended period to manage their condition and prevent further damage.
Your chiropractor will constantly monitor your progress during each appointment in order to adjust your treatment plan if necessary.
-
Self-care and home exercises
Your chiropractor may recommend a series of stretching or strengthening exercises to help improve your knee function and relieve pain between visits.
In addition, they will advise you on self-care techniques that can complement your treatment plans, such as applying ice packs to reduce swelling, heat therapy for managing inflammation, and lifestyle modifications like rest and elevation with support.
Chiropractic Treatment Techniques for Knee Pain
Knee pain being a common complaint to doctors, you may want to find a better way out of its regular medication and surgical treatments. Chiropractic offers effective, non-invasive treatment and therapy plans; you’ll be surprised to know how these help ease your knee pain!
-
Spinal adjustments
Spinal adjustments are a common chiropractic technique that can also help alleviate knee pain. Misalignments in the spine can affect the entire body, including the knees. By correcting these misalignments through spinal adjustments, pressure on related nerves and joints is released, leading to reduced inflammation and pain around the affected area.
Research conducted by the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine states that they have seen “significant reductions in both self-reported pain scores and overall disability”.
-
Soft tissue therapy
Soft tissue therapy targets the muscles, ligaments, and tendons surrounding the knee joint. This helps reduce inflammation while increasing mobility in the affected area.
A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that soft-tissue therapy can significantly improve osteoarthritis pain relief.
Chiropractors often use deep tissue massage techniques like the active release technique (ART) to break down adhesions in these tissues. With regular treatments, patients with knee pain have seen an improvement of around 35% compared to their initial discomfort levels.
-
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, as a technique in chiropractic treatment for knee pain, uses small needles to increase blood flow and stimulate healing. A study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that acupuncture was effective at relieving knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.
An experienced chiropractor will determine if acupuncture is the right therapy option as part of your customized treatment plan, which may include other techniques, such as spinal adjustments and soft tissue therapy, aimed at getting you back on track toward better health!
-
Cold laser therapy
Cold laser therapy is non-invasive and is often used to mitigate inflammation and pain around the knee joint. It works by penetrating deep into tissues at cellular levels, promoting healing, and reducing swelling in affected areas.
Studies show that cold lasers can help improve physical function while lowering pain levels for patients experiencing knee arthritis or injury. Along with other chiropractic techniques, incorporating cold laser therapy ensures you receive comprehensive care tailored to your unique needs.
-
Rehabilitation exercises
Rehabilitation exercises after experiencing knee pain are vital for recovery and preventing future issues. Chiropractic care includes individualized exercise programs tailored to the patient’s unique needs, which help strengthen muscles around the knee joint and provide better flexibility. You can also achieve appropriate stability to reduce further inflammation and discomfort caused by regular activities.
Research has found that rehabilitation therapy may be one of the most useful treatments in terms of effectiveness in improving quality of life outcomes.
-
Nutritional counseling
Nutrition plays an important role in treating not just knee pain but many health conditions. As part of the chiropractic care plan, a nutritional assessment may be conducted to identify any deficiencies, intolerances, or allergies that could contribute to the pain.
The assessment may then lead to specific dietary recommendations, such as increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D to reduce inflammation and improve joint mobility. A holistic approach involving dietary changes will help accelerate healing and prevent recurrence.
The Importance of Seeking Professional for Diagnosis and Treatment
Signs and symptoms of knee pain should motivate you to go see a chiropractor! Signs may include swelling, pain, stiffness in the knee joint, and difficulty moving or bending the knee. It is important to seek professional diagnosis and treatment early on to prevent further damage.
At The Brost Clinic, we understand the importance of seeking professional help for lower extremity pain, including knee problems due to injuries or medical conditions such as arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
We offer specialized chiropractic care services designed not just to alleviate your symptoms but also to improve your overall health over time. Our experienced professionals specialize in various treatments to address joint discomfort. These therapies include chiropractic manipulation techniques such as spinal adjustments, tailored gentle mobilization procedures for each individual, and more!
Our ultimate aim is to restore proper mobility while decreasing discomfort – something especially crucial in cases involving swelling around joints such as knees.
Remember, early intervention can help you achieve
-enhanced healing time by promoting tissue restoration while reducing inflammation.
-less medication dependency
-improved joint stability while preventing chronic changes within muscles around affected joints, which could bring more unusual complications later down the line.
So, don’t let lingering difficulties impact your quality of life! Visit The Brost Clinic today for customized care solutions to help you get back up and walking comfortably again!