If you have ever suffered a knee injury, you would be well aware that it feels like your knee never quite recovers. Whether its lingering pain, loss of mobility, reduced function or general weakness, there is always a lasting symptom to remind you your knee just isn't quite up to scratch anymore.
However, you do not have to decide to live with the pain, reduce your activity level, or start taking more pain medication to deal with your 'new' knee.
We have reached out to leading chiropractor, Andrew Vincent from Andrew Vincent Chiropractic to explain how a chiropractor might help with knee pain and what happens during an initial consultation.
Andrew has been Director and Principal Chiropractor at Andrew Vincent Chiropractic for over 30 years and has led the way for the chiropractic industry as State President and National Representative of the Chiropractors' Association of Australia, Queensland Branch.
Read on to see Andrew's insights and learn what goes on during a knee examination.
Andrew Vincent | Director and Principal Chiropractor at Andrew Vincent Chiropractic
Can you walk me through a knee examination?
Sure! Watch the video below and find out all that goes on in a knee (and leg) examination.
What is the most common cause of knee pain?
Other than direct falls or hits, knee pain is usually a result of overloading the joint from an unusual angle with too many different movements or going beyond your muscle strength and moving with a poor technique…we have all headed off on our first run of the year and felt great…for about a kilometre…and then things go to custard!
Why should someone see a chiropractor if they have knee pain?
Chiropractors look at the knee as part of an overall structure, consisting of your back, pelvis, hips and feet.
Imbalances in the correct joint movement either in your feet or pelvis will change how muscles pull in your knee and could be painful.
So, rather than just managing a sore knee, a chiro will look for underlying causes in related areas…a bit like your mechanic checking your steering, wheel alignment and shock absorbers when you go there with a tyre that is wearing unusually.
What is your common treatment method for knee pain?
- 1Pain relief is the first part of the plan.
- 2Ice, stretch and reduced activity is first recommended, together with specific adjustments, or precise manipulation of the foot, ankle, knee or pelvis if these are found to be functioning unevenly.
- 3Home advice on customised stretches together with pressure point work on muscles are taught for faster rehab.
- 4Planned return to physical activity is then scheduled.
How important is stretching and strengthening exercises in your treatment methods?
Patients need to realise that nearly HALF of the results for knee pain recovery rely on doing your stretches and exercises.
So how quickly you recover is really driven by commitment to home advice and actively modifying the way you do certain things that may be aggravating your problem.
Thanks Andrew.
Stay tuned for another article from Andrew soon.
In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding this interview, treatment of back pain or other health issues please do not hesitate to contact Andrew and the rest of the team by visiting the Andrew Vincent Chiropractic website.
Andrew Vincent Chiropractic offers massage and nutritional support alongside their chiropractic services to ensure a whole lifestyle change is possible.