Osteopathic Treatment For Knee Pain
Has pain in your knee stopped you in your tracks? You don’t need to be an athlete to experience knee pain, as it can affect anybody at any age and with any level of ability. And if and when knee pain strikes, it can easily impact your quality of life and make it difficult to perform daily activities, whether that be playing your favourite sport or doing the weekly grocery shopping. In our busy lives, we don’t have time for pain, so if your knee is impacting you, it’s time to do something about it!
This article explores the osteopath knee pain connection and how an osteopath may be a good treatment option for you. For personalised advice, contact our team at Osteos of Noosa today.
What Is Knee Pain?
Knee pain is a fairly common condition that can happen due to a number of reasons. The knee is a complex structure containing bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that all work together to support the body’s weight and allow the leg to bend. When any of these elements become damaged or inflamed, it may lead to knee pain.
Knee pain may feel like a sharp, stabbing pain, a dull ache, or anything in between. You may feel it in the kneecap, behind the kneecap, or the area surrounding your knee. You may also have additional symptoms such as swelling, stiffness, and weakness, all of which may contribute to your knee not functioning as well as it used to.
What Can Cause Knee Pain?
Knee pain is often due to factors such as:
Injuries— Such as ligament tears, meniscus tears, fractures, and more
Overuse— From repeated stress on the knee joint, often following activities such as running, jumping, and cycling
Arthritis— Including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other types of arthritis
Patellar tendonitis— Inflammation of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone
Bursitis— Where bursae, the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee joint, become inflamed
Weight— Carrying excess weight may put additional pressure on the knee joint
Ageing— The knee joint undergoes natural wear and tear as we age
How May Knee Pain Be Treated?
The treatment recommended for your knee pain will depend on what caused the pain, how severe it is, and a range of other factors. Some treatment options include:
Avoiding or reducing activities that contribute to knee pain
Ice or heat therapy
Medications available over the counter
Injection therapy
Osteopathic treatment
Surgery
How May An Osteopath Help With Knee Pain?
An osteopath may help with knee pain by using a holistic approach to identify and treat the underlying causes of the pain. Osteopaths may also use exercise prescription, lifestyle modifications, and dietary recommendations to support the healing process and prevent future knee pain.
By addressing any imbalances or dysfunctions in the body, osteopathic treatment may help reduce pain, improve range of motion, and promote overall health and well-being. Additionally, osteopaths can work collaboratively with other healthcare providers to ensure the most comprehensive and effective treatment plan for knee pain.
Osteopathic treatment may involve a range of manual techniques to improve the function of the knee joint and surrounding tissues. The techniques your osteopath may recommend for you will vary depending on your individual needs and goals, and they will discuss these with you before coming up with your treatment plan. Osteopathy treatment options for knee pain include:
1. Soft Tissue Techniques
Osteopaths may use massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, strain-counterstrain, and other soft tissue techniques in an effort to improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, and promote healing in the knee joint and surrounding tissues.
2. Joint Mobilisation
Osteopaths may use gentle, rhythmic movements to mobilise the knee joint, reduce pain, and improve the joint’s range of motion and overall function.
3. Muscle Energy Techniques
Muscle energy techniques involve using the muscles themselves to help correct alignment and improve joint function. The osteopath provides resistance and guidance as you work through the movements, aiming to correct muscle imbalances and improve joint alignment.
4. Exercise Prescription
Osteopaths may prescribe exercises to help strengthen the muscles supporting the knee joint, improve flexibility, and reduce pain. This may involve stretching, strengthening, functional exercises, and other forms of exercise. The osteopath will provide guidance on proper form to ensure you perform the exercises correctly.
5. Lifestyle Modifications
Osteopaths may provide guidance on modifying activities, such as avoiding certain movements or changing footwear, to reduce stress on the knee joint. Lifestyle modifications may also include nutritional advice, information on proper posture and body mechanics, stress management, sleep hygiene, and more.
By using a combination of these osteopathy treatments, an osteopath aims to help reduce knee pain and improve the function of the knee joint and surrounding tissues. It's important to consult with a qualified osteopath to determine the best course of treatment for knee pain.
Looking For An Osteopath For Your Knee Pain?
If you’re looking for a team of experienced and knowledgeable osteopaths in Noosa, you’ve come to the right place! At Osteos of Noosa, our team is dedicated to helping you recover from your knee pain quickly and safely so you can get back out there to what you love doing. Whether your dream is to get back on the court, field, or simply to run around after your kids in the backyard, we’re happy to help! To get started, book an appointment with Osteos of Noosa today.