Chiropractor for Knee Pain in Kingsport, TN
Get seen the same day for a knee that swells quickly after an injury, locks and won't straighten, gives way repeatedly, or can't bear weight. A hot, red, swollen knee with fever, or calf swelling and pain, needs medical care right away.
What causes knee pain?
- •Patellofemoral pain (runner's knee): an ache around or behind the kneecap, worse on stairs, squatting or after sitting
- •Patellar tendon pain (jumper's knee): pain just below the kneecap with jumping and landing
- •IT band irritation: pain on the outside of the knee, common in runners and cyclists
- •Training overload: too much, too soon, too often
- •Osteoarthritis: stiffness and aching that's worse after rest or a long day on your feet
- •Ligament and meniscus injuries: usually after a twist or contact, often with swelling or locking; these need a different evaluation
Runner's knee and IT band pain
These two cause most of the knee pain we see in runners. Both usually respond to a mix of load management, hip and thigh strengthening, and attention to the foot. You rarely need to stop running completely; you need a plan for how much to run while the knee settles.
How chiropractic care may help knee pain
- •Extremity adjustments for the knee, ankle, foot and hip when joint stiffness is part of the problem
- •Soft tissue work, including instrument-assisted techniques and dry needling for the quads, hamstrings, calves and hip muscles
- •Hip and knee strengthening and landing mechanics (corrective exercise)
- •Custom orthotics from Foot Levelers when foot mechanics are adding load to the knee
- •StemWave focused shockwave therapy for some stubborn tendon problems
An international consensus on patellofemoral pain recommends exercise therapy targeting the hip and knee as the core of treatment, with foot orthoses and taping as useful short-term additions.
What to expect and when we refer
Your first visit runs 30 to 45 minutes. Dr. Douglas checks knee motion, stability and the meniscus, watches you squat, step down and (for runners) move, and examines your hip and foot. X-rays are available on site. Locking, repeated giving way, or fast swelling after an injury get imaging and an orthopedic referral first. More on your first visit.
Is chiropractic care safe for knee pain?
For overuse knee pain without a major ligament or meniscus injury, conservative care is considered low risk. Exercises are progressed at a pace your knee tolerates; some soreness after a session is fine, pain that lingers into the next day means scaling back.
Knee pain care in Kingsport
We see runners, field and court athletes, people who kneel or climb stairs all day, and adults whose knees ache on long walks. The plan targets whatever your knee needs to handle, whether that's a 5K, a basketball season or a warehouse shift.
Common Questions
Clinical Sources & Guidelines
- Crossley KM, van Middelkoop M, Callaghan MJ, et al. 2016 Patellofemoral pain consensus statement from the 4th International Patellofemoral Pain Research Retreat, Manchester. Part 2: recommended physical interventions. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2016;50(14):844-852.
Ready to be seen?
Call 423-239-9122 or book online. We don't take walk-ins, but most new patients are seen within a week, and we check your insurance benefits before your first visit.