Chiropractic for Knee Pain
Chiropractic treatment for knee pain can be a first choice for people suffering this painful condition. The chiropractic adjustment and necessary supportive therapies can be applied to the back as well as to the hip, thigh, knee, ankle and foot to affect the areas of the body which are frequently involved. These connected areas, referred to as the “kinetic chain” are connected by virtue of their nerve supply as well as their location in the body. Just as when a ladder is off-balance making the top unstable, when a knee is injured the joints above and below feel the effects. In the spine, the lower lumbar nerves enervate the legs. When the nerve arising from the lower back L3 – L5 lumbar vertebrae is irritated, the whole leg can become irritated including the knee, and you may also feel pain in the back. That nerve irritation arising from vertebral level problems is referred to as a subluxation. Additionally, knee pain of any origin can cause thigh, hip, back, ankle and foot pain or other symptoms over time, because of the kinetic chain connection and the fact that problems in one area eventually affect other areas.
Following spinal and extremity examination including palpation of the back, spine, extremities, and other involved areas, your Doctor of Chiropractic will address subluxations in areas that need attention to restore proper positioning and balance. Part of the sciatic nerve, (comprised of the 3rd, 4th and 5th lumbar nerves), goes to the knee, supplying the knee and surrounding areas with muscle strength, skin sensation, and the sensation of balance. Subluxation (vertebral irritation) can therefore affect the knee. If examination reveals that your knee problem stems from irritation along the kinetic chain in other areas your chiropractor can address these problem areas using the adjustment and other physical modalities such as massage, ultrasound, etc. to soothe irritated muscles, reduce swelling and heal ligaments to help you get back on track. Other symptoms may include: numbness, pain or tingling, or muscle weakness or imbalance in the knee as well as back pain or tenderness.
Don’t wait for knee pain to get better on its own or cover up symptoms with pills. The care provided by your chiropractor includes examination, massage, adjustment of connected areas, physical therapies, nutrition counseling and exercise prescription. Call a chiropractor or acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC offers today to get to the root of the problem and prevent small problems from turning into bigger issues. You’re worth it!
Thank you to our friends and contributors at Acupractic Natural Healing Center for their insight into chiropractic care and knee pain.
