Can I see a Chiropractor for Knee Pain?

Chiropractic is a golden treatment standard for issues related to neck pain, back pain, headaches, and injuries caused by car accidents. However, you may not be aware that chiropractic care is great for any type of pain related issue, that is most often caused by underlying imbalances within the body. One pain related issue that your chiropractor can help with is the onset of knee pain. Let’s dive into whether or not chiropractic care can help your knee pain so that you know when to pick up the phone and schedule an appointment to avoid unnecessary suffering.

Figuring Out the Cause of Your Knee Pain

There are two primary reasons that you might experience knee pain: a high impact injury that causes acute symptoms, such as with a sports injury or an auto accident; or pain that comes on gradually from issues related to previous injuries, wear and tear, or movement imbalances. Factors that can influence these causes of pain include your overall health, the level of impact at the time of injury, getting prompt and adequate care, muscle strength and flexibility, and your body weight. Regardless of the cause, tissues within the knee that can generate pain include the local cartilage, menisci, ligaments, bones, tendons, muscles, and other connective tissues that provide support and function to the knee joint.

When to See a Chiropractor for Your Knee Pain

Whether your pain is acute or chronic, there is a lot that a chiropractor can help you address holistically to avoid unnecessary use of interventions like medication or even surgery. The primary focus of a chiropractor will be to see where any imbalances are (particularly in the spine since this affects the body’s nerve energy) and helping restore your knee’s innate ability to properly heal and function. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, your chiropractor can help:

• Painful or restricted knee mobility
• Limited flexibility of local connective tissue and muscles
• Poor biomechanics with daily movement
• Weakness or flexibility imbalances in other parts of the body that put secondary strain on the knee itself (such as the spine, ankles, hips, etc)
• Concerns about a future injury (injury prevention)
• Acute onset of symptoms (pain, swelling, bruising) from a high impact injury- once cleared by your doctor
• Oversensitivity to daily activities, touch, and movement
• Onset of chronic knee pain (longer than 6 weeks)

When you see your chiropractor for the first time, you can expect them to thoroughly assess all of these factors. That way, they can help you recover sustainably for the longer term.

Why You Should See Your Chiropractor for Knee Pain

Now that you know the indicators for seeking chiropractic care, you may be wondering what the specific advantages are for getting treatment. Knee pain can be such a frustrating issue to deal with, especially if it isn’t addressed holistically. Thus, keep these great benefits of chiropractic care in mind when you are wondering what the best course of action is for you.

• Less dependence on toxic pain medications
• A reduced chance of needing invasive treatment, such as a surgery or injections
• Better healing potential for local tissues within the knee
• Optimal biomechanics for reducing unnecessary strain on the knee with daily activities
• Lower risk of the onset (or progression) of arthritis
• Less pain with common aggravating moves like squatting, stairs, lunges, and more
• Injury prevention and lower risk of future aggravation or re-injury
• More time spent doing what you love without loss of productivity
• Better outcomes for common injuries like meniscus tears, ligaments sprains, and complications from high impact auto accidents
• A boost in your overall sense of well-being to live the life you want

What to Expect During Treatment Sessions

Firstly, you can expect your chiropractor to do an in depth assessment of your entire body, alignment, movement patterns, and medical history. That way they will have a full understanding of what you need to feel your best. Depending on what they discover and your specific needs, they will recommend one or more of the following chiropractic treatment options:

• Adjustments of the spine, knees, or any other necessary joints to restore nerve energy and local mobility
• Medication free pain management with modalities, such as ice, heat, electrical stimulation, and more
• Personalized exercise recommendations for better lower body coordination, strength, and balance
• Manual therapy, such as soft tissue massage, to address stiff, sore, or swollen areas
• Education in making lifestyle changes to improve your overall health and healing capabilities, such as weight loss, nutrition, exercise habits, stress management, better sleep and more

Get the Right Care for Your Knee

When considering chiropractic care for your knee, the bottom line is simple. They can help you restore balance to the knee and entire body to maximize its potential. The right care is always better than ignoring your knee pain until it becomes agonizing and affects your quality of life. Instead, getting holistic care as soon as possible can be a game changer. The entire team at North Alabama Spine and Rehab in Decatur and Huntsville, AL understands the intricacies of your knee health and can help you get moving in the right direction. Give their clinic a call today to see how they can help you with your concerns about knee pain.