There was a time when knee pain was associated with the general wear and tear of ageing. Today, it’s a common complaint among people of all ages.
Your knee is one of the most vulnerable joints in the body because of the amount of stress it handles every day (walking, running, jogging, bending). It consists of the tibia (the shin bone or the larger weight-bearing bone of the lower leg), the femur (the thighbone or upper leg bone), and the patella (the kneecap). All of this is held by muscles, ligaments, tendons, and a layer of cartilage that absorbs shock.
When you experience knee pain, it’s one or a combination of these elements that may be injured or overused.
Knee Pain? MYo Lab can help – schedule your visit today.
Meet our team of skilled professionals who wake up every day with a commitment to make a difference in your journey to wellness. Our Chiropractors, massage therapists, and physiotherapists work together to provide comprehensive care, ensuring that all aspects of your health and well-being are addressed.
“For the last few years I have had a dull ache in both of my knees. Both of my parents have had bad knees and I decided to look into preventative treatment before they got to the point where I was going to need surgery. I had never done chiro before so I was a little nervous. I was booked in with Chiro who explained the treatment plan and made me feel comfortable. I would highly recommend MYo Lab as I have noticed a huge difference in my knees just with daily activity.”
Martinne S.
“Only positive experiences with the MYo Lab team. They utilize a collaborative approach to healing ailments (in particular, knee and hip issues). Lots of feedback and ongoing communication to ensure growth and treatment is tailored and specific.”
Duncan A M.
“I LOVE working out again! Chiro and Massage in combo with my Training have literally changed my life; I no longer suffer from TMJ and the osteoarthritis in both knees and my thumbs ( volleyball@!&@) is under control 👍
Give MYo a try…you will be hooked!!!!”
Gwyn A.
“Amazing staff! They have helped me through a lot with being an athlete. I have seen chiro, physio, message , and training. They have all helped with the recovery after tearing my ACL and going through two surgeries. I definitely recommend going to see any of their services.”
Chloe M.
Experience the difference – schedule your visit today.
Injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage
Tendonitis/Tendinosis (an overuse of a tendon). If it’s associated with the patellar tendon, we call this jumper’s knee (a common condition in sports, especially basketball, that occurs when the force of hitting the ground after jumping high puts a strain on the tendon).
Bursitis, which is inflammation of the bursae, the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee joint.
Medical conditions like arthritis, gout and infections
Repeated stress on the knee while walking, running, bending
Sign and Symptoms
Pain that can range from mild to severe
Swelling and stiffness
Redness and warm to touch
Weakness or feeling unstable on your feet
Popping or crunching noises accompanied by pain
Inability to fully bend or straighten the knee
How Chiropractors Treat Knee Pain
Here at MYo Lab, we take a multidisciplinary approach to knee pain. We believe that knee pain is typically related to how you move.
When managing knee pain, we make sure the muscles of your hip and lower leg function optimally. The hip muscles are often tight, overused, or weakened due to basic human biomechanics. Tight gluteal muscles can cause rotational forces on the upper leg, while dysfunctional muscles in the lower leg and calf can lead to abnormal ankle movement patterns.
These restrictions, abnormal movements, and muscle weaknesses in the lower and upper leg exert unusual forces on the knee’s bones—the femur and tibia. Over time, these abnormal forces can cause knee pain.
To correct these movement patterns, a combination of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy is recommended to alleviate pain initially, followed by Physiotherapy to maintain pain-free function through exercise. There are also other modalities that we may use depending on the extent of the pain.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractors often address misalignments in the spine (subluxations) that can affect overall body mechanics and lead to knee pain. By correcting spinal alignment, they aim to improve posture and reduce undue stress on the knees.
Direct adjustments to the knee joint itself also help improve alignment, enhance joint function, and relieve pain. This can involve gentle manipulation to increase the range of motion and reduce stiffness.
Massage Therapy
Massage techniques can help reduce muscle tension around the knee, improve blood flow, and promote healing. It can also help with pain relief and reduce inflammation.
Physiotherapy
Our Physiotherapists then manage the properly aligned structures with tailored exercises to correct movement patterns, ensuring long-term results and preventing knee pain from recurring in daily life.
Modalities and Other Techniques
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT)/Cold Laser can be used to reduce pain and inflammation and to accelerate tissue repair. Shockwave Therapy in the form of low-level electrical currents may be used to reduce pain and promote muscle function.
Custom Orthotics
Custom-made orthotics can correct foot and gait issues that contribute to knee pain, providing better alignment and support.
Our Calgary Location
MYo Lab Health & Wellness is located at 227 10 St NW, Suite 300, Calgary, Alberta. It’s a short 5-minute walk from the Sunnyside C-Train station.
Parking: We offer 5 complimentary parking spots out back (spots 209, 213, 214, 215, 216). There are also several 2-hour paid parking spots on the streets around us. Additionally, there are two parking lots across the street from our building, one outdoor parking lot and one underground parking lot.
If you need further direction, feel free to call (403) 930-8686 for assistance.
Knee pain after sitting for long periods can be due to joint stiffness, muscle imbalances, poor posture, or underlying conditions like arthritis. Patellofemoral pain syndrome often presents with knee pain that is worse after sitting. To alleviate it, take regular breaks to stand up and stretch, maintain proper posture, and strengthen and stretch your quads to support your knees. Maintaining a proper exercise and mobility routine throughout the week can help manage the pain you feel and ensure you’re moving optimally.
Do I have arthritis in my knees?
Arthritis is an umbrella term for conditions that result in inflammation in the joints. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD ).
DJD develops over time and is often noted as an ancillary finding on X-rays—meaning that there’s evidence of bony changes to the joints long before pain or other symptoms present. For instance, arthritis in the sacroiliac (SI) joint can start in your 20s.
Now, many people think of the inflammatory arthropathies when they think of arthritis—they think of rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, which are both different diseases that can progress to affecting the joints. Because all of these get grouped under “arthritis,” the general public views them all the same way.
Diagnosing knee arthritis requires an assessment from a health care provider, in addition to symptoms like pain that improves with rest, stiffness, and reduced motion. The good news is that osteoarthritis does not have the same progression as inflammatory arthropathies and that x-ray findings of degenerative joint disease are poorly correlated with symptoms. So you may have arthritis, according to your x-ray, but that does not mean that you have to live with pain.
Motion is one of the best ways of managing pain related to arthritis; and at MYo Lab, we know “motion is lotion!” It ensures that the joints are moving well and within healthy ranges of motion to encourage blood flow and reduce stiffness. Low-level light therapy/Cold Laser is also an effective modality that can help with swelling and inflammation if they occur.
Should I stretch my legs?
Yes, regularly stretching your legs offers many benefits, including improved flexibility, increased joint range of motion, reduced muscle tension, better circulation, and enhanced posture. Leg stretches can also help prevent injuries and improve performance in physical activities. Remember to stretch properly and avoid overdoing it. Stretching your quads and psoas muscles daily are the main muscles to focus on as they become shortened and fixed during a day of sitting.
Why are my calves tight?
Calf tightness can stem from muscle imbalances, overuse, poor footwear, dehydration, poor posture, injury, or medical conditions. Calf tightness can reoccur based on how you walk day to day. To alleviate tightness, stretch the calves regularly, wear supportive shoes, stay hydrated, maintain proper posture, and seek guidance on how you are currently moving with clear direction on how to improve.
Should my knees pop when I squat?
Hearing popping or cracking sounds in the knees during squats is common for many people and is not necessarily a cause for concern, especially if there’s no pain or discomfort associated with it. These sounds can often be attributed to the movement of nitrogen bubbles within the joint or the release of tension in soft tissues around the knee. However, if there’s accompanying pain, swelling, or instability in the knee joint, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying issues such as cartilage damage or ligament injuries.
Additionally, ensuring proper squatting technique, warming up adequately before exercise, and incorporating strengthening and flexibility exercises for the muscles around the knees can help improve joint health and stability.
Why is it bad to let my knees cave when squatting?
Allowing your knees to cave inward during squats can increase the risk of injury by placing excessive stress on the knee joint and surrounding structures. It disrupts proper biomechanics, leads to inefficient muscle recruitment, and indicates weakness or imbalance in the muscles around the hips and thighs.
Over time, this can accelerate joint wear and tear and contribute to more serious issues. To prevent knee cave, focus on maintaining proper form, engaging the core, and strengthening the muscles around the hips such as your glutes and quads.
Why do my knees hurt after exercise?
Knee pain after exercise can result from overuse, muscle imbalances, improper form, joint degeneration, or inflammation.
To alleviate it, incorporate proper warm-up and cool-down routines, gradually increase exercise intensity, maintain proper form, strengthen surrounding muscles, use appropriate footwear, and consider low-impact exercises.
Incorporate exercise that focuses on proper glute and core engagement as well as reducing tightness in your quads pre and post exercise.
What should I do while I wait for a knee replacement?
While waiting for a knee replacement, focus on staying active with low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling to maintain mobility and strengthen knee muscles, as prehabilitation will improve your surgical recovery time & outcomes. Physiotherapy & Chiropractic can help with prescribing exercises for improving knee strength and flexibility, and reducing pain by improved movement. Once the surgery is complete, you will likely be referred to a Physiotherapist or Chiropractor for more exercises and a full recovery plan so that your surgery is a success.
How can a Chiropractor fix my knee pain?
Chiropractors can address knee pain through manual therapy techniques like joint manipulation and soft tissue therapy to improve motion and reduce muscle tension. They may prescribe specific exercises to strengthen muscles around the knee and correct imbalances. Additionally, they may offer advice on posture, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications to support joint health.
Will my knee pain get worse?
The progression of knee pain varies depending on factors like the underlying cause and how it’s managed. Without proper treatment, knee pain can worsen over time, affecting mobility and quality of life. However, with appropriate care, including conservative treatments and lifestyle modifications, symptoms can often be alleviated. Ensure proper biomechanics and exercises are implemented within your weekly routine, which are great ways to further prevent deterioration.
