Your knee aches on the stairs, complains when you squat to grab something off a low shelf, and stiffens up after a long drive. You've iced it, rested it, and maybe searched "chiropractor for knee pain" late at night wondering if that's even a thing.
It is. Chiropractors don't only work on spines. At Minnesota ChiroWorks in Fridley, a lot of the knee pain we see has a mechanical cause: a muscle that's gone tight, a joint above or below the knee that isn't moving well, or a daily habit that keeps loading the knee the wrong way. Those are the kinds of problems hands-on care can often help with.
What Causes Knee Pain?
Most knee pain falls into a few groups. The Mayo Clinic lists injuries, mechanical problems and arthritis as the most common causes. In everyday terms, that looks like:
- Overuse and irritation, like pain around the kneecap from stairs, kneeling or running
- Tight muscles and trigger points in the quads, hamstrings, calves or IT band that change how the kneecap tracks
- Osteoarthritis, the wear-related stiffness many people start to notice after 50
- Old sprains or strains that healed but left the knee guarded and weak
- Pain that starts somewhere else, like the hip, the foot or the low back
Where it hurts gives clues. Knee pain when bending or squatting often points to the kneecap and the muscles that control it. Knee pain when walking, especially first thing in the morning, is common with arthritis.
Why Your Knee Might Not Be the Real Problem
The knee is a hinge stuck between two bigger, more mobile joints. If your hip doesn't rotate well, or your foot rolls in when you walk, the knee ends up absorbing the extra twist. We wrote about this pattern in our post on the kinetic chain, and it's one of the most common things we find.
Your low back can play a part too. Irritated nerves in the lower spine can send pain down the leg, and many people are surprised to learn that sciatica can cause knee pain without much back pain at all. That's one reason a good exam doesn't stop at the knee.
When to See a Doctor First
Some knee pain needs imaging or a medical doctor before anything else. Please get checked by your physician or urgent care if:
- You heard a pop when you got hurt and the knee swelled up quickly
- You can't put weight on the leg
- The knee locks, catches or gives way
- The joint is hot and red, or you have a fever
- Your calf is swollen, warm or tender, which can be a sign of a blood clot
If any of those sound familiar, start there. We're happy to work alongside your doctor once a serious injury has been ruled out. MedlinePlus has a helpful overview of knee injuries and disorders if you'd like to read more.
So, Can a Chiropractor Help With Knee Pain?
For many everyday mechanical knee problems, a chiropractor can be a good fit. The goal is to find out why the knee is overloaded and change that, instead of only chasing the sore spot. Exercise and hands-on care are core parts of conservative care for knee pain and knee arthritis, and that's the work chiropractors do.
What chiropractic care can't do is regrow cartilage or repair a torn ligament. We'll be upfront about that, and if your knee needs a referral, we'll tell you.
How We Treat Knee Pain at Minnesota ChiroWorks
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Every knee visit starts with a conversation and an exam. We'll watch how you walk, squat and step up, test your hip and ankle, check your low back, and feel the muscles around the knee. From there, care usually blends a few of these:
- Gentle joint work. Chiropractic adjustments for the knee, hip, ankle or low back where movement is restricted. Knee and other extremity adjustments are low-force and don't involve the twisting people sometimes picture.
- Soft tissue treatment. Dr. Steve Scarfia is a Graston M1 certified provider and FAKTR certified, two approaches for tight, irritated tissue that he uses on knees as well as elbows and shoulders. We also use trigger point therapy and therapeutic massage for stubborn knots in the quads, calves and IT band.
- Supportive therapies. Some patients add cold laser therapy or therapeutic ultrasound. Both are painless and quick, and we'll talk through whether either makes sense for you.
- Home exercises. Dr. Scarfia is a former strength coach, and simple strength and mobility work for the hips and thighs is often what keeps knee pain from coming back. You'll leave with a short routine you can actually fit into your day.
Dr. Richard Garcia and Dr. Scarfia also look at the everyday stuff: your shoes, how you sit at work, how long you spend kneeling in the garden.
What a Visit Might Look Like
Here's an example. A patient in her late 50s notices knee pain when walking her dog and worse pain on the stairs. Her exam shows a stiff hip, a tight outer thigh and weak glutes on the same side. Her plan focuses on hip mobility, soft tissue work and a few home exercises, adjusted as she goes.
That's how we tend to approach it, not a promise of how any one knee will respond.
Easing Knee Pain at Home
For everyday aches, a few things are generally safe:
- Keep moving gently. Short walks on flat ground usually beat total rest.
- Ice for about 15 minutes after activity if the knee feels puffy, or use heat before activity if it feels stiff.
- Ease off deep squats, kneeling and stairs for a few days, then bring them back slowly.
- Check your shoes. Worn-out soles change how your knee takes every step.
If it hasn't improved in a week or two, or keeps coming back, get it checked.
Knee Pain Treatment in Fridley, Close to Home
Minnesota ChiroWorks is on University Ave NE in Fridley, an easy drive from Blaine, Columbia Heights, Spring Lake Park, Coon Rapids and New Brighton. We're in-network with Medicare and Medicaid, and same-day appointments are often available.
If your knee has been nagging you, book a visit online or see our new patient page for what to expect. We'll take a look, explain what we find in plain language, and help you decide on a plan that fits your life. A chiropractor for knee pain might be closer than you think.
Knee Pain FAQs
Can a chiropractor adjust your knee?
Yes. Chiropractors can use gentle, low-force adjustments on the knee and nearby joints like the hip and ankle. Most knee care also includes soft tissue work and exercises.
Can back problems cause knee pain?
They can. Irritated nerves in the low back, including sciatica, can refer pain to the knee. That's why we check your back and hips during a knee exam.
How many visits will I need?
It depends on the cause and how long you've had it. After your first visit, we'll explain what we found, suggest a plan, and check your progress as we go.
Does Medicare cover chiropractic care for knee pain?
Medicare covers some chiropractic services, mainly spinal adjustments, and coverage for other treatments varies by plan. Minnesota ChiroWorks is in-network with Medicare and Medicaid, and our front desk is happy to check your coverage before your visit.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?
No referral is needed to see a chiropractor in Minnesota, though some insurance plans have their own rules. We're happy to help you check.
