Knee Pain is the Second Most Common Cause of Chronic Disability in Adults
Understanding the Complexities of Knee Pain
Why the Pain You Feel Isn’t Always Where the Problem Starts
Knee pain is one of the most common complaints we see in the clinic. Whether it’s a dull ache during movement, sharp pain on stairs, or stiffness after sitting, many people assume the issue lies entirely within the knee itself. But more often than not, knee pain is the result of something more complex.
The Knee Is Often a Victim, Not the Root Cause
Pain in the knee doesn’t always mean there’s something wrong with the joint itself. Because the knee sits between the hip and the ankle, it’s heavily influenced by what happens above and below. Movement patterns, stability issues, and muscle imbalances elsewhere in the body frequently contribute to knee pain.
What we often see:
Hip or Ankle Dysfunction
Limited mobility in the ankle or poor control in the hips can force the knee to compensate. Over time, that added stress can lead to irritation, pain, or structural overload.
Referred Pain
Sometimes, pain in the knee is actually coming from the hip, low back, or surrounding soft tissue. Muscular trigger points and nerve irritation can send signals that make the knee feel like the source, even when it’s not.
Patellar Tracking Issues
When the kneecap isn’t gliding properly during movement, it can cause pain with stairs, squatting, or prolonged sitting. These tracking issues are often due to muscular imbalance or poor joint mechanics—not necessarily damage to the knee itself.
Compensation Patterns
If you’ve had a previous injury, your body may have learned new movement strategies to avoid pain. These compensations can become hardwired, leading to overload and pain in areas that weren’t originally injured.
Don’t Just Treat the Knee. Find the Real Cause.
At New Heights Chiropractic and Rehabilitation, we don’t stop at the site of pain. Our team evaluates your entire movement system—from your feet to your hips and beyond—to understand what is contributing to your knee symptoms and why they have developed in the first place.
Why Our Approach Works
We use a combination of movement analysis, soft tissue therapy, joint-specific treatment, and functional rehab to uncover and address the root cause of your knee pain. Whether you are dealing with runner’s knee, instability, tendon irritation, or post-surgical recovery, we build a care plan that helps you move better and feel stronger.
You Deserve More Than Temporary Relief
If your knee pain keeps coming back or never fully resolves, you don’t need another short-term fix. You need a deeper look at how your body moves and a plan that supports long-term recovery. Let us help you get back to the activities you love with confidence and lasting comfort.