What causes knee pain?
Many conditions can cause pain in or around the knee. The knee joint bears the weight our bodies as we run, jump, walk and go about our daily lives. Made up of delicate ligaments, cartilage and fluids, the knee is vulnerable to injury and chronic pain. Any imbalance or restriction in the function of the joint can cause pain. When the knee fails to function correctly, surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments can become inflamed and painful. The effect is something of a vicious cycle. Dysfunction in the joint causes inflammation in the surrounding soft tissue which leads to more dysfunction in the joint. Some direct causes of knee pain include:
- Arthritis
- Congenital disorders
- Excess weight
- Misalignment of the spine
- Sports injury
- Trauma (such as torn meniscus, a dislocation or a ligament injury)
- Weakness in surrounding muscles and soft tissues
If I have pain above or behind my knee, is it still considered knee pain?
Yes, pain around or behind the knee joint may still be considered knee pain. Pain that originates in the joint itself often radiates to muscles around the injured area. Knee pain is typically divided into three categories. Acute injury describes the trauma from an accident such as a dislocated knee or torn ligament. Medical conditions which may be ongoing are a second category—arthritis is a common example of a medical condition which can cause knee pain. Chronic or overuse conditions are the third category. Chronic pain describes pain that continues for six months or more. Bursitis, tendonitis or patellar syndromes are examples of chronic pain. All three types of knee pain can cause discomfort behind, below or above the joint itself.
How can chiropractic care help with knee pain—don’t I need surgery?
Surgery may be the best option for some types of knee damage, but chiropractic care is a safe and highly effective treatment. In fact, at Raveling Chiropractic Center we regularly help patients avoid surgery through non-invasive, drug-free techniques. By starting with a comprehensive examination, our doctor can detect whether or not your knee pain is being aggravated by a misalignment of the spine. If so, chiropractic adjustments may help restore balance, alleviate pain and support natural healing. In addition to spinal adjustments, chiropractic care treats knee pain through:
-Lifestyle changes – we can counsel you on ways to safely lose the extra pounds that may be exacerbating your condition
-Physical therapy exercises to strengthen the affected muscles and prevent future damage
-Massage therapy provides pain relief, increases circulation in injured tissues and can help sooth tight muscles which may increase the level of knee pain
-Pain management—a comprehensive plan of chiropractic care and supportive natural therapies to alleviate pain while addressing its source can help patients forego surgical intervention
Please call our office if you have more questions about knee pain or to schedule an appointment for an evaluation from Dr. Raveling.