Knee pain can quickly undermine your mobility and steal the joy from activities you love—whether that is taking a brisk walk, playing sport, or simply climbing the stairs. At Acomb Chiropractic Clinic, we are committed to helping you understand why your knees hurt, exploring drug-free treatment options, and equipping you with strategies which aim to keep your knees healthy for years to come.
Understanding knee anatomy and pain mechanisms
Your knee is one of the most complex—and most stressed—joints in the body. It is made up of:
- Bones: Femur (thigh), tibia (shin), and patella (kneecap)
- Cartilage: Menisci cushion stress between femur and tibia
- Ligaments: ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL provide stability
- Tendons: Quadriceps and patellar tendons connect muscles to bone
- Bursae: Fluid-filled sacs reduce friction
When any of these structures become overloaded, injured, or misaligned, pain and dysfunction can follow. While the source of knee pain varies from person to person, the underlying themes we see in clinic are mechanical stress, poor movement patterns, and compensations elsewhere in the body—often originating from the hips, ankles, or spine.
Common causes of knee pain
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome (Runners knee): Pain under or around the kneecap, aggravated by squatting, running, or sitting with bent knees.
- Osteoarthritis: Degeneration of cartilage leads to stiffness, swelling, and a grinding sensation.
- Ligament Injuries: Sprains or tears in ACL, MCL, PCL, or LCL can result from sudden pivots, direct blows, or overextension.
- Meniscal Tears: Twisting of a bent knee can damage the meniscus, causing pain, locking, or popping.
- Tendinopathies: Inflammation of tendons—like patellar or quadriceps tendinitis—typically from repetitive overload.
- Iliotibial band syndrome: Tightness of the IT band causes pain on the outer knee, common in cyclists and runners.
Recognising if any of these issues, or others are involved is the first step toward targeted, effective care. Not all knee issues are suitable for chiropractic care. Therefore, a thorough assessment is essential to ensure accurate diagnosis, effective management, and tailored recommendations for your specific concerns.
How chiropractic care supports knee health
Chiropractic is not just about the spine. We assess and treat the entire kinetic chain to restore optimal movement and reduce undue stress on the knee joint.
1. Joint mobilisation
Gentle, hands-on mobilisations of the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints improve glide and reduce mechanical irritation.
2. Soft tissue therapy
Trigger point technique, vibration massage and soft tissue stretching techniques break down scar tissue, ease tendon tension, and enhance blood flow.
3. Spinal and pelvic alignment
Restriction or misalignments in the low back or pelvis can alter gait and weight distribution. Precise spinal manipulations aim to restore proper alignment, indirectly relieving knee stress.
4. Myofascial dry needling/acupuncture link
Can be particularly helpful for knee pain, especially for osteoarthritic knees.
5. Rehabilitative exercise
A personalised exercise program focuses on:
- Quadriceps and hamstrings: Balanced strength supports joint stability
- Gluteal muscles: Hip control prevents dynamic valgus (inward collapse)
- Ankle mobility: Ensures proper foot roll and knee tracking
6. Proprioceptive and balance training
Improving neuromuscular control—through wobble-board drills or single-leg stands—reduces risk of reinjury by teaching your body to stabilise the knee dynamically.
Lifestyle modifications and prevention
- Weight management: Every extra kilogram adds significant load to the knee—losing weight relieves stress.
- Activity modification: Gradually increase training intensity, incorporate cross-training, and avoid sudden spikes in activity.
- Ergonomics at work: If you spend hours standing, use anti-fatigue mats and shift weight between legs.
- Regular treatment: Periodic chiropractic assessments can help relieve minor faults before they become major injuries.
Get in touch
At Acomb Chiropractic Clinic, we are committed to helping you if we can. If you are wondering if your knee complaint could be helped with chiropractic care, we encourage you to contact us for a personalised consultation. Our experienced chiropractic team will conduct a thorough assessment, explain our findings and what we think is possible in clear terms. If appropriate, we will develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific condition and goals, aiming to maximise your possible benefit.
Not all complaints are appropriate for chiropractic care: If we think we cannot help your complaint, or you require more investigations, we will do our best to support you in finding you another path forward.