Can a Chiropractor Help With Knee Pain? A Newcastle Patient’s Guide
Are you struggling with knee pain? You may be suffering while climbing stairs, exercising or even walking. When movements like these start making you uncomfortable, you might look for options that would help manage your pain, like chiropractic treatments.
So can a chiropractor help? The short answer? Yes, chiropractic care can be highly effective for knee pain relief, and research backs this up.
At Forma Health & Rehabilitation in Broadmeadow, we've helped Newcastle locals recover from knee injuries and chronic knee conditions for over 25 years. Here's what you need to know about how chiropractic care addresses knee pain and whether it's the right choice for you.
What Causes Knee Pain?
Your knee is one of the body's hardest-working joints. It carries your upper body weight while bending, straightening, and rotating through thousands of movements every day. When something goes wrong, the impact on your daily life can be significant.
Common causes of knee pain include:
Overuse injuries like patella tendonitis or iliotibial band syndrome from repetitive movements during running, cycling, or other sports activities.
Acute injuries such as meniscus tears, ligament sprains, or kneecap dislocations from falls, twisting movements, or direct impacts.
Arthritis conditions include osteoarthritis where the protective cartilage wears down over time, or rheumatoid arthritis where inflammation attacks the joint.
Biomechanical issues where poor posture, muscle imbalances, or misalignments in the hips, pelvis, or spine place excess stress on the knee joint.
This last point matters. Your knee doesn't work in isolation. When your body isn't moving properly as a whole, your knees often bear the brunt of that dysfunction.
How Chiropractic Care Helps Knee Pain
Chiropractors take a whole-body approach to knee pain. Rather than just treating the symptoms, we look at how your entire musculoskeletal system contributes to the problem.
Here's how chiropractic care addresses knee pain:
1. Correcting Biomechanical Dysfunction
Small misalignments in your pelvis, hips, or spine can throw off your body's weight distribution. This forces your knee to compensate, leading to uneven pressure and pain. Chiropractic adjustments realign these areas, taking stress off the knee and allowing it to function properly.
2. Manual Therapy and Soft Tissue Work
Tight muscles, trigger points, and restricted fascia around the knee can contribute to pain and limited movement. Chiropractors use hands-on techniques like soft tissue therapy and trigger point release to reduce muscle tension and improve mobility directly at the knee joint.
3. Movement Pattern Retraining
At Forma Health & Rehabilitation, we use Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilisation (DNS) to help retrain the way your body moves. Poor movement patterns often develop after injury or from years of compensatory habits. DNS helps rebuild proper control and coordination so your knee moves efficiently without pain.
4. Reducing Inflammation
Chiropractic adjustments and manual therapy can help improve circulation and reduce inflammation in and around the knee joint. This supports your body's natural healing process and provides relief from pain and stiffness.
5. Rehabilitation and Strengthening
Chiropractic care isn't just about adjustments. A complete treatment plan includes targeted exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting your knee, improve stability, and prevent future injuries.
What to Expect at Forma Health & Rehabilitation?
When you visit Forma Health & Rehabilitation for knee pain, we follow a clear 3-stage process designed to get you lasting results:
Stage 1: Reset. We calm your system, reduce pain sensitivity, and restore basic movement. This is where most people start. You'll know what's happening with your knee and begin to feel relief.
Stage 2: Rebuild. Once your symptoms settle, we build strength, control, and load tolerance. This stage focuses on creating the foundation that prevents pain from returning. We use targeted rehab, movement drills, and hands-on care to rebuild proper function.
Stage 3: Perform. For those who want more than just pain relief, we help you build resilience and durability. Whether you're an athlete, a tradie, or just want a body that keeps up with life, this stage takes you beyond baseline.
Your first visit includes a detailed assessment of your movement, a full history, and hands-on treatment. We'll explain exactly what's going on and create a practical plan tailored to your goals.
The Evidence Behind Chiropractic for Knee Pain
Research supports the effectiveness of chiropractic care for knee pain. Studies show that manual therapy techniques, including chiropractic adjustments to the spine, hip, and knee, can reduce pain and improve function.
A study found that chiropractic manual therapy effectively reduced knee pain over a two-week period. Another study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in 2006 showed that combining chiropractic treatment with exercise reduced knee pain and improved physical function over time.
The key takeaway? Chiropractic care works by treating the root cause of knee pain, not just masking symptoms with medication.
When to See a Chiropractor for Knee Pain?
You should consider seeing a chiropractor for knee pain if:
Your pain persists despite rest and over-the-counter pain relief
You're experiencing stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
Your knee pain is affecting your ability to work, exercise, or enjoy daily activities
You want to avoid relying on medication or invasive procedures
You've had recurring knee issues that never fully heal
At Forma Health & Rehabilitation we work with athletes recovering from sports injuries, office workers dealing with joint pain, and anyone in between. If your knee is holding you back, we can help.
Move Better, Get Stronger, Perform for Life
Knee pain doesn't have to be something you live with. Chiropractic care offers a safe, evidence-based approach that treats the underlying causes of your discomfort and helps you build long-term resilience.
At Forma Health & Rehabilitation in Broadmeadow, we combine decades of clinical experience with advanced functional assessments to restore your body to peak health and performance. Whether you're dealing with a fresh injury or chronic knee pain, our team is here to help you move better and feel stronger.
Ready to take control of your knee pain? Book your initial consultation at Forma Health & Rehabilitation today and start your journey from pain to performance. Call us or visit our website to schedule your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a chiropractor actually treat knee pain?
Yes. Chiropractors assess how your knee, hips, ankles, and spine work together. Knee pain is often linked to joint misalignment, muscle imbalance, or poor movement patterns, which chiropractic care can help correct.
2. What types of knee pain can chiropractic care help with?
Chiropractic treatment may help with knee pain caused by sports injuries, overuse, arthritis, ligament strain, poor posture, or biomechanical issues affecting how you walk or run.
3. How long does it take to see results from chiropractic treatment for knee pain?
Some people notice improvement within a few sessions, while others may require a longer care plan. Recovery time depends on the cause of the pain, its severity, and how long it has been present.
