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How Chiropractors Can Help Your Knee Pain

How Chiropractors Can Help Your Knee Pain

Imagine how much your knees are used every day while doing all sorts of everyday activities such as stopping to pick up bags, climbing stairs, walking from your car to the office, or getting out of bed. It is hard for you to enjoy normal activities when you are experiencing pain in your knees. When you are experiencing knee pain, it makes it difficult to function from day to day.

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You could take painkillers but they don't treat the source and can become addicting along with other dangerous effects on your health. Surgery doesn't sound like the most desirable option and it should only be saved as an absolute last resort. So what can you do? What doctor should you see? Fortunately, there's a non-invasive option to control your pain: Chiropractic treatment. You may be wondering whether or not it is right for you to go to a chiropractor for your knee pain. There are several signs that it could be helpful when deciding to seek treatment. One major reason to seek medical attention is if your knee pain is so severe as to limit your normal daily activity. You don't have to accept constant agony. 

Chiropractors understand the musculoskeletal system and can help diagnose your condition and provide the necessary treatment. Chiropractic knee adjustments can also greatly improve your overall posture, reducing joint restrictions. Knee adjustments are also an ideal solution for knee pain caused by mobility problems. If you're searching for a Chiropractor, and not sure who to choose contact us at DOCS4PI. Our network of medical professionals is experienced and vetted beforehand so that we can refer patients to the best medical care. 

What Knee Pain Can Affect 

When you have knee pain, don't ignore it. Visit a chiropractor as soon as possible. Chiropractic care can help you avoid pain during the following activities: 

  • Walking up or downstairs 
  • Sitting down 
  • Squatting 
  • Standing up 
  • Getting out of bed 
  • Walking 
  • Hobbies or other activities 

All the decisions you make during the day have a direct impact on your quality of life. During times of pain, you're less likely to remain physically fit. This can lead to increased weight and muscle loss. It can also affect your coordination. In addition, lacking physical activity can also leave you more vulnerable to future injuries. When you can't move without pain, you may come to feel anxious or depressed as a result. Chiropractic care for knee pain strengthens the knees and can restore your overall health and mood. 

Common Causes of Knee Pain  

Millions of American adults complain about knee pain. It usually occurs when you bend over, experience a stinging feeling, or a sudden intense pain while walking or jogging. There are a number of possible causes, ranging from arthritis to an overstretched tendon, which is virtually impossible to tell without a professional diagnosis. If you've recently been in an accident, you could experience knee pain due to an injury from the collision. Among the more common knee pain causes and injuries are:  

  • Strains, Sprains, and Tears. Stretched muscles or ligaments are called strains and sprains. Knee strains and sprains are usually treated conservatively with rest, compression, elevation, and icing the affected leg. The two most commonly torn knee ligaments are the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments (ACL and MCL). Both of these fractures require surgery and extensive rehab.
  • Cartilage Tears. There are two cartilaginous pads between the thigh bone and shinbone in each knee. Each of those pads are called a meniscus. The tears can vary from one part of a meniscus to another. Sometimes a brace is required due to weakness of the affected knee. Occasionally, damaged cartilage needs to be removed surgically. Recovery time is usually quick, and any long-term damages are minimal.
  • Dislocations. An increased risk of knee dislocation occurs during high-speed collisions. The trauma causes the bones to shift out of their natural positions. A dislocated knee can result in a number of issues such as arterial blockage, which could result in the need for an amputation. These injuries can also lead to torn ligaments and cartilage too.
  • Fractures. There are a number of ways a knee can fracture in a car crash, but usually in direct contact with a vehicle or side impacts. Typically, these crashes involve a fractured knee cap (patella) caused by blunt force trauma from the dashboard. A kneecap fracture is mostly treated with a full cast or crutches for up to eight weeks if the fracture is simple. When the kneecap is dislocated, the muscle pulls the pieces apart. Surgery is usually necessary to put the pieces back together. Arthritis can occur in the future as a result.
  • Knee Bursitis. A couple of knee injuries can result in swelling of the bursae, small sacs of fluid that cushion the outside of your knee joint so that tendons and ligaments move smoothly.
  • The Posterior Cruciate Ligament. Injuries to the knee’s posterior cruciate ligament are another common dashboard injury. In the case of a partial rupture of the PCL, it may be possible to strengthen the quadriceps muscles in order to make up for the loss of the stability provided by the PCL. A complete tear in the PCL requires surgical reconstruction with transplanted tissue. A few days at home might be required if you work a desk job.
  • Arthritis. Arthritis often affects the knee. However, it may also affect muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis in the knee, occurs when cartilage in the joint slowly degenerates. With rheumatoid arthritis the joint becomes inflamed and often causes destruction of the cartilage around it. 

Avoiding Painkillers for Knee Pain  

There is a common misconception that only temporary solutions, like Cortisone shots or prescription drugs, are the only way to treat knee pain. Chiropractors are proven to be a safe, effective alternative to painkillers and invasive treatments such as injections. Your chiropractor starts by identifying your unique pain and the cause. Knee pain is typically caused by the causes or injuries mentioned above, referred pain, or excessive weight. Examining and assessing the specific cause ultimately is essential. Knowing exactly what is going on in your case is crucial in deciding on a treatment plan. The way arthritis is treated may differ from the way other non-descript conditions such as a recent trauma are treated. Painkillers only mask the symptoms and does nothing to treat the source of your knee pain.  

When To Seek Treatment for Your Knee Pain 

A significant reason is if the knee pain is so severe that it is limiting your abilities to perform normal daily activities. If your knee pain persists even after you've tried limiting your activity levels or even after taking pain medications, you should consider seeing a chiropractor. With the help of an experienced chiropractor, your knee pain can be eliminated. Their examination will also attempt to figure out whether alignment issues in your body are causing your knee pain, or if they are a  contributing factor. 

For example, hips with limited range of motion or lower back tightness can lead to an excessive amount of strain on the knees, which can be painful. Chiropractic care can help you correct issues like these, leaving you pain free. 

Chiropractic Care for Knee Pain 

Chiropractic care is the best non-invasive option when seeking a solution to resolve your knee pain. Make sure that any chiropractor you consider is aware of all the health problems you're facing. Be sure to let them know where you're experiencing pain in detail. Your chiropractor will develop a treatment plan based upon their assessment. If they've determined your knee pain is caused by another condition, your plan will include solving the cause for your pain. In addition to the adjustments, your chiropractor will create a knee management plan that will heal any damage you've suffered. Treatment may also include using ice or hot packs or Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS). Through these techniques, your body will begin to heal by concentrating on the injured area.   

The electrical current will help reduce your swelling. However, your chiropractor will still need to figure out the reason why there was inflammation in the first place. The chiropractor will focus on restoring knee joint function once the swelling goes down. Many chiropractors use chiropractic manipulation to reinforce or recover mobility. If a lack of mobility is not an issue, you may receive deep tissue therapy or trigger-point therapy. 

No matter where the source of your problem lies, your treatment and pain management strategy will probably involve: 

  • Chiropractic knee adjustments 
  • Applying ice to reduce inflammation 
  • Soft tissue massage to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and increase range of motion 
  • An ultrasound treatment 
  • Strengthening exercises and gentle stretching exercises 

Treatments like these can help you reduce your pain over time. 

How Can DOCS4PI Help? 

If you're suffering from knee pain, do not ignore it. Contact DOCS4PI for more information on the best chiropractors for treatment. In order to ensure patients receive the best possible care, we carefully screen our doctors. Our network of specialists can diagnose and treat injuries whether it is back pain, neck pain, knee pain, etc. They will be able to determine if chiropractic care is in fact the best treatment for you and work with you to develop a plan to eliminate your pain for good.