Knee Pain Treatment in Asheville
Knee pain shows up at the worst moments: halfway down the stairs, kneeling in the garden, or standing up after a long drive. Before long, you’re working around it instead of living your life.
When the Muscles That Steady the Joint Stop Doing Their Job
When you are having knee pain, most people assume the problem is only in the knee. However, many times there may be another piece of the puzzle that is often missed.
The knee is more than simply two leg bones and a knee cap connecting together. The knee also involves soft tissues like the muscles that stabilize and support, cartilage that cushions the joint, and various types of connective tissue, such as fascia, that provide stability.
In the shoulder, you may have heard of the Rotator Cuff. The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles that help move and rotate the shoulder and provide stability. Injury to any of these four muscles results in instability and pain in the shoulder. There is something similar in the knee called the Pes Anserine. The Pes Anserine is made of 3 muscles that provide stability and support to the knees. When the pes anserine is injured, knee pain will often occur due to the resulting instability which can allow the knee to twist out of alignment. If you have arthritis and/or wear and tear to the knee or you have been told you have bone on bone problems, working on surrounding and supporting areas of the knee may result in significant relief of your pain.
How Old Injuries and Everyday Wear Add Up
Plenty of people with this problem barely exercise at all. Common contributors include:
- An old injury/sprain or meniscus tear
- Injured muscles and supporting soft tissues that can no longer protect the knee
- Spinal bones out of alignment in the low back, pelvis, or hip that can change how you walk
- Years of wear on the cartilage from just living life(walking, hiking, running etc)
Stairs, Squats, and That Wobbly Feeling
Discomfort often flares with additional stress on the knees. Commonly this includes going up and down stairs, squatting, kneeling, or twisting. Pain can present anywhere around the knee or you may have a sense of instability.
Signs You’ve Waited Long Enough
If your pain and discomfort are minor and rest and stretching haven’t helped after a few days, or you’ve given up activities you love, it’s time to get checked. For more serious levels of pain, get checked immediately. Even if you’ve been told you have a meniscus tear or arthritis, Dr Doster may still be able to help you as the arthritis in the knee is very common with the knee pain patients he treats.
Stabilize First, Then Strengthen
Dr. Jarod Doster starts by listening, then runs a 40-60 point exam. Along with your ligaments, meniscus and cartilage, he tests those stabilizing muscles as well as proper alignment of the knee joint itself. Furthermore, your hips, pelvis, and low back get checked too because problems in these areas can also cause knee pain.
Depending on your exam, care may include gentle chiropractic adjustments, dry needling for muscle and connective tissue injuries, myofacial and low back chiropractic treatment to address abnormalities in that area, all in the same visit.
Every few weeks, Dr. Doster will perform an progress exam to measure improvements and assess progress with your knee pain.
From Bracing for Every Step to Taking Stairs Without a Second Thought
Many patients notice improvement within a few visits,. The goals are simple: less pain, better flexibility, and a joint that feels steady and strong.
Some people still have arthritis on paper, yet the pain fades once everything is stable again. That may mean getting back to walks, workouts, and weekends outdoors.
Take the Stairs Again Without Gripping the Rail
Find out what’s really behind your knee trouble and whether chiropractic care is right for you. Call Doster Chiropractic at (828) 236-2200 to set up your free consultation.
