Can Chiropractic Care Help Knee Pain?

Over the years, chronic knee pain has been treated in a variety of ways.  Including, pain medication and at times, if the issue is serious enough, surgery.  While there are medications that can provide temporary help with knee pain, there are usually adverse side effects caused by the medications.  Before going down the pain medication or surgical route, visit Evexia Family Chiropractic for an evaluation and to learn about exercises for knee pain.

Chiropractic Care and Knee Pain

According to a recent study, people who opted for chiropractic care for their knee pain experienced a substantial drop in the pain intensity after a few sessions compared to those who took pain medications.   Evexia Family’s goal of chiropractic care is it relieve your knee pain through a variety of techniques such as chiropractic adjustments, massage, and exercises for knee pain.  These techniques play an important role in managing, reducing and eliminating knee pain.

Because chiropractors are trained to evaluate the entire musculoskeletal system, a chiropractor will be able to help determine the cause of your pain.  Pain in your knee can be caused by a variety of issues. The ultimate objective of chiropractic care for knee pain is to first determine if your knee is stable and to then identify the cause of the pain to correct the issues. 

Can My Spine Cause Knee Pain? 

The alignment of your spine plays a huge role in your overall body pain.  The human body is lined up from the shoulders down to the hips, knees, and ankles.  This creates a vertical line that can be traced all the way down your body. If your body does not line up and is off-balance, you have pain.  These shifts in your vertebra cause neurological problems which can cause pain to your knees. A trained chiropractor can diagnose and treat these issues, reducing or even eliminating your pain. A trained chiropractor can also recommend exercises for knee pain.   

When your spine is not aligned correctly your body sends signals to your brain that something is not right, and you have pain.  Through chiropractic care, Evexia Family will work on your spinal alignment by adjusting your spine as well as working on muscles, connective tissues, tendons and ligaments around your knee to reduce or eliminate the pain you are having.  Knees are part of the musculoskeletal system called load joints. If you have pain in your knees, a lot of the time you may have foot, hip, or back issues that need to be addressed. 

Chiropractic Care and Spinal Adjustments

A chiropractor will be able to determine why you have knee pain and provide the proper care you need to get better.  Misalignments can affect your entire musculoskeletal structure. Chiropractic care may take a few weeks or a few months, depending on the issue, to relieve your knee pain.  Once you have your evaluation, and the root cause of your pain has been identified, you will be on the road to recovery. In addition to treatment at the office, your chiropractor will provide you some low impact exercises for knee pain that you can do at home.  

Stability Exercises for Knee Pain

The stability of your knees is very important.  If knees are not stable, they will glide around back, and forth which can cause damage and increase the probability of your knees wearing out.  There are many different exercises for knee pain you can do at home to help your overall stability.  

1. In a standing position, square up with your feet pointing forward and separated slightly.  Place your hands on your hips with your thumbs pointing forward and squeeze your elbows back.  Hold the position for 5 seconds and repeat 5 to 10 times. 
2. In a standing position, feet slightly apart with your toes turned out slightly, squeeze and release your buttocks, without using your ab muscles.  Hold for just a few seconds each time and repeat 5 to 10 times.    
3. In a standing position, interlace your fingers and turn your hands so that your palms are facing away from your body.  Raise your hands straight up over your head, arms extended. Look up towards your hands and tighten up your thigh muscles.  Slowly bend forward until your back is in a flat back position. Hold this position for 3 to 5 seconds and repeat 5 to 10 times.  

Exercises to Help with Mobility for Your Knee

When our bodies are in pain, we tend to be less mobile.  Increasing your mobility will help you feel better physically and mentally.  Here are a few low impact exercises to increase mobility.

1. In a standing position, hold onto a wall or a chair to your side.  Lift one leg and do side to side to side pendulum motions (relax). Next, with the same leg, do front and back motions.  Lastly, do circular motions one direction then the next. Do 10 to 15 of each exercise on both legs.
2. In a standing position, put one leg in front of you with a light lock (foot on the floor).  Rate your knee in circular motions, the leg in front with, keeping your foot firmly on the floor.  Repeat the process of moving your knee in an alternate direction. Next turn your foot, the leg in front of you, to the outside lightly and do the same circles (small range).  Lastly, turn your foot in and do the same rotation. Do 5 to 10 of each exercise on both legs.  

These positions allow you to mobilize the different areas of the knee that can cause tension to build up while you are moving.  

Strengthening Exercises to Help Reduce Knee Pain

1. Straight leg raises: Lying on your back with one knee bent then raise the other leg straight up to the height of the opposite knee.  Do 10 to 15 repetitions on each leg.
2. Hamstring curls: Stand while holding onto a chair or table and slowly raise your heel as close to your buttocks as possible, hold the position for 5 seconds.  Do 3 sets of 15 on each leg.
3. Wall squats: In a standing position, feet shoulder-width apart, leaning against a wall with your back.  Bend your knees till you are in a seated position, keeping your back firmly against the wall. Hold the position for 10 seconds.  Repeat this exercise 10 times and try to lengthen the hold time by a couple of seconds each time.
4. Calf raises: Stand while holding onto a chair or table and slowly raise up on your tiptoes squeezing your leg muscles.  Repeat 10 to 15 times.
5. Bridging: Lying on your back with your knees up in a triangular position and your feet firmly on the ground.  Push up with your hips and tighten your buttocks. Hold the position for 5 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 to 15 times. 

Evexia Family Chiropractic’s mission is to not only reduce your knee pain but to help our patients have an overall healthier life. Knee pain can be debilitating, and we’re here to identify the cause of your pain and then help correct the issues. With visits to Evexia Family Chiropractic and practicing the exercises for knee pain, your quality of life will greatly improve! Start your journey today and schedule an appointment with Evexia Family Chiropractic.