Are stairs, squats and long walks getting harder on your knee?
Maybe your knee aches on the stairs, swells after a long walk or twinges when you kneel. Knee pain can make you cautious about the things you enjoy, from playing with your kids to a weekend run. Care here starts with how you stand and carry your weight, because posture from the top of the neck down may change the load on your knees.
What is knee pain?
Knee pain is discomfort in or around the joint where the thigh bone, shin bone and kneecap meet. The knee is a hinge joint that takes a great deal of force every day, and it depends on strong muscles, healthy cartilage and steady ligaments. The pain may come from the joint itself, from the tissues around it, or from the way the hip and foot above and below it are moving.
A knee that swells quickly after an injury, locks or gives way should be checked by a medical doctor.
Common signs include:
- Aching in the front, side or back of the knee
- Swelling or stiffness, especially after rest
- Pain on stairs, squatting or kneeling
- A feeling that the knee may give way
- Clicking or catching as you bend
- Tenderness along the inside or outside of the joint
- Sprains or tears in ligaments and cartilage
- Overuse from running, jumping or long hours on your feet
- Arthritis and joint wear
- Irritated tendons around the kneecap
- Uneven movement in the hip, ankle or foot
- Extra load from leaning toward one side
What causes knee pain?
Knees can be irritated by sudden injuries and by slow, everyday strain. Common causes include:
Your knees sit at the bottom of a long chain that begins at the head. Upper cervical chiropractors look at the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) because when the head sits off center, the body may shift its weight to keep you level, and one knee can end up working harder.
How upper cervical care can help
We start with the whole body, not only the sore joint. Your exam may include a posture evaluation with software, muscle assessments and 3D imaging of the upper neck, so the doctor can see whether you carry more weight on one side and whether the upper cervical spine may be adding to it.
When the findings call for it, gentle upper cervical adjustments aim to help the head and spine sit in better balance. As the load evens out, our goal is for your knees to feel less strained on stairs and during activity. Full-spine care may be added when it is appropriate, and a structural knee problem, such as a torn ligament, belongs with an orthopedic specialist.
How you bear weight
Posture software helps show whether you lean toward one leg, which can leave one knee doing more of the work.
One knee or both?
Pain in just one knee may point to uneven loading higher up. We look at your pelvis and spine as well as the joint.
Adjusted at the neck
Upper cervical adjustments are made at the top of the neck, not at the knee, and they are light and gentle, with no twisting, cracking or popping.
Working with your knee doctor
If you need imaging, bracing or an orthopedic opinion for the knee itself, we will say so and work alongside the right provider.
What to expect
Day 1
Your first visit
A consultation with the doctor at the office you choose, a thorough exam, and 3D imaging of your cervical spine with our CBCT scanner. We also do a detailed posture evaluation with advanced software, neurological testing and muscle assessments.
Day 2
Your report of findings
The doctor goes over your history, your exam and posture results, your neurological findings and your 3D images with you, and explains a care plan made for you.
Ongoing
Gentle care, checked as you go
Gentle upper cervical adjustments with no twisting, cracking or popping, and regular progress checks so your plan follows how you are doing.
Why choose Apollo?
Specialized care
We focus on upper cervical chiropractic, a highly targeted and refined approach.
A plan made for you
Every patient is different. Your care plan is built around your own exam and your 3D imaging.
Gentle, with no cracking
Our methods are very gentle: no twisting, cracking or popping.
An experienced doctor
Dr. Kosta Tsakalos brings deep clinical experience and a caring, detail-oriented approach to every visit.
Every person is different, and results vary. Read what our patients say on our testimonials page.
Let us help you get started
If you are dealing with knee pain, we are here to help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kosta Tsakalos and find out whether upper cervical chiropractic care is right for you.
Related conditions we help with
- Whiplash
- Carpal Tunnel
- Shoulder Pain
- Hip Pain
- Numbness & Tingling
- Sports Injuries
- Auto Accident Injuries
- Post-Surgical Recovery
- See every condition
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice. If your symptoms are sudden or severe, please seek medical care right away.