Knee pain is one of the most prevalent pain issues affecting the United States. According to current statistics, 25% of American adults suffer from knee pain. This number has increased dramatically over the last couple of decades. Knee pain is the second most common cause of chronic pain in the United States. 1 in 3 Americans will experience knee pain at some point in their lives. The majority of knee complaints occur in adults aged 45 and older, particularly those aged 60 to 90. Women tend to have higher rates of knee pain compared with men. Women are more likely to develop knee problems than men due to a wider pelvis, weaker leg muscles, and hormone changes, especially during perimenopause and menopause, which decrease ligament strength.
The knee is a vulnerable joint that handles stress from everyday activities to high-impact athletic activities. Everything from walking, running, standing, squatting, going up and down stairs, and exercising puts stress on the knees. For most people, a combination of age-related wear and tear, excess body weight, and sports or athletic injuries contributes to the development of knee pain. Obesity also increases the risk for knee problems – for every pound you are overweight, your knee must absorb an extra 4 pounds of pressure. Other factors can increase your likelihood of developing knee pain, including osteoarthritis, overexertion, and tobacco use. Projections for 2025 indicate that approximately 1.2 to 1.27 million total knee replacements will be performed in the U.S. annually.
Structure of the Knee
The knee is the largest joint in the body. It is a hinge-type joint. As the name implies, a hinge works like a door hinge, allowing the joint to move forward and backward in a single plane of motion. In the knee, this means allowing the knee to straighten. This movement lets us stand and squat. The knee joins together the thigh bone, femur, the shin bone, the tibia, and the knee cap, the patella. Four main ligaments stabilize the knee joint. Ligaments connect bones to other bones. These ligaments are the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), PCL (posterior cruciate ligament), the MCL (medial collateral ligament and the LCL (lateral collateral ligament). The knee also has two cartilage discs that line the tibia and cushion the knee. These are called the meniscus. The remaining joint surfaces are covered in cartilage that helps cushion the knee and reduce friction during movement. Some muscles and ligaments are crucial to the structure and function of the knee. Ligaments connect muscles to bones, and muscles are responsible for moving the joint.
Acute Knee Pain
Acute knee pain is sudden-onset pain, either new or a flare-up of an old injury. Injuries, such as ligament sprains, meniscus tears, or fractures, often cause a knee flare-up. These injuries usually occur during sports activities, accidents, slips, falls, or other activities. Getting care for acute knee pain as fast as possible is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. Symptoms of acute knee pain include sharp, intense pain, swelling, difficulty in weight bearing, and a limited range of motion. Acute knee pain is generally treated with ice, rest, elevation, and OTC medications, prescription painkillers, or anti-inflammatories. However, several techniques used at Pro-Holistic Care in Lincoln Square can speed healing and increase the likelihood of a full recovery.
Chronic Knee Pain
Chronic knee pain is pain that lasts longer than three months and has a gradual onset. This type of knee pain can result from arthritis, overuse (such as Runner’s Knee), tendonitis, old injuries (such as meniscal tears), or old surgeries (such as an ACL repair). This pain usually comes on gradually and is dull or achy, lasting for over three months or never really going away. Certain health conditions can increase the likelihood of chronic knee pain. For example, people with rheumatoid arthritis have high rates of chronic knee pain. Chronic knee pain treatment is usually aimed at long-term pain relief and the maintenance of knee function. Some of these options include surgery, injections, lifestyle modifications, and physical therapy. At Pro-Holistic Care, we offer several treatment options that can improve the long-term health of the knee and help manage chronic knee pain.
$69 New Patient Special
Includes Consultation, Evaluation, X-rays if needed & Doctor’s report of findings
How Our Care Plan Works
1. Finally Be
Listened To
You know your body best, and we want to hear your story in detail. When you sit down with our doctors, we’ll take the time to listen, ask the right questions, and fully understand your health concerns so we can guide your care with confidence.
2. Understand Exactly What Your Problem Is
Our doctors perform a comprehensive evaluation of your health, which may include a physical exam, strength and stability testing, bloodwork, or x-rays. Whatever is needed, we’ll uncover the root cause and design a personalized plan to move you forward.
3. Get Back To A Happy, Healthy, Fun Life
Every patient receives a customized care plan designed to fit their unique needs. By combining the therapies best suited for you, we promote faster, more effective healing while providing a clear roadmap to correction and lasting success in your health.
How We Treat Knee Pain In Lincoln Square, IL
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
At Pro-Holistic Care, we use well-researched, evidence-based, 100% natural therapeutic techniques to not only ease your pain but also correct or improve the structural issues causing the knee pain. The very first step in our process is a thorough intake and exam to understand precisely what your problem is and where it is coming from. You know your body the best. Our doctors will sit with you and actually listen to what’s been happening in your body, what injuries or overuse issues occurred in the past that may be affecting the knee, and learn what activities the pain is limiting or preventing you from doing. We want to know your goals moving forward and make sure we help you reach them.
Our exam starts with finding the root cause of the problem. There are many home care options people use to minimize knee pain, including exercises, stretches, ice, heat, and ibuprofen. However, if the root cause or source of the pain is not identified, the pain will continue to happen and be a constant in your life. At Pro-Holistic Care, we do not want to decrease or manage your symptoms simply. We want to identify the root cause and, to the best of our abilities, address the structural issue so you can live an active, pain-free life. To determine the root of the problem, we will conduct a thorough exam, orthopedic testing, muscle testing, and functional movement screenings. We will check your knees, including the joint, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and even spine, to identify where the pain may be coming from. We will also take digital X-rays to assess the structural integrity of your knees and look for conditions such as osteoarthritis or joint space narrowing that may be contributing to your pain.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Lincoln Square, IL
We have several types of all-natural therapies that can help correct Knee pain and dysfunction. One of our most essential tools is the chiropractic adjustment. We can gently manipulate or adjust the knee joint to ensure optimal alignment for smooth, pain-free motion. Knee joint adjustments are different from traditional back adjustments. Knee adjustments primarily involve mobilization to position the bone within the joint properly. You will not hear much popping or clicking with this type of adjustment. We will also check alignment in the lumbar spine, aka the low back. Misalignments in the back can irritate the nerves that travel to the Knee, causing pain and dysfunction. Misalignments in the lower back can also affect knee movement and the musculature of the lower back, pelvis, and hip. All of these issues can lead to knee, leg, and low back pain, among other symptoms.
Acupuncture
We also utilize acupuncture and dry needling to address knee pain, inflammation, and dysfunction. Studies have shown that chiropractic manipulation, Dry needling, or acupuncture can significantly reduce knee pain. Dry needling and acupuncture help us address spasm, inflammation, and tension found in the muscles of the knee and leg. Acupuncture has also been shown to reduce pain levels and inflammation. We can use a soft-tissue therapy called Gua Sha to release tension in the knee’s musculature.
Shockwave Therapy
Pro-Holistic Care also uses something called Shockwave therapy. This is a non-invasive therapy that uses high-energy acoustic waves to increase blood flow, reduce pain, and stimulate tissue regeneration and healing in injured or damaged tissue. Shockwave can be used on the knee to help relieve muscle tension and spasms, decrease joint inflammation, and break up scar tissue around the joint, the meniscus, and the patella.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
Therapeutic exercises will also be used to treat your knee pain. These exercises help restore normal movement, reduce pain, rebuild strength in weakened or injured muscles, and help you get back to the activities you love!
Common Causes of Knee Pain in Lincoln Square, IL
Runner’s Knee
Runner’s knee is a common overuse injury causing pain at the front of the knee, as well as around or behind the kneecap. This type of knee pain is caused by repetitive high-level stress placed on the joint. People who run daily or do long-distance runs are susceptible to this problem. Commonly, patients will report creaking and cracking noises along with knee stiffness. This pain comes from inflamed tissue – no broken bones, no torn tendons, no damaged cartilage.
Patellar Tendinits
Another common cause of knee pain is Patellar Tendinitis. The Patellar Tendon is a connective tendon that connects the kneecap to the prominent shin bone in the lower leg, called the tibia. You can feel the tendon in your knee by sliding your fingers from the kneecap downwards. This tendon can become inflamed and irritated, causing pain in the front of the knee. Small microtears in the tendon are another cause of inflammation and pain. These injuries are ultimately caused by repetitive overuse or injuries with certain activities. Activities like running, sports like basketball that require a lot of jumping, or even repetitive movements like squatting or kneeling for work can cause Patellar tendonitis. Patellar tendonitis is often referred to as Jumper’s knee, because it is so common in people who participate in jumping activities like basketball, gymnastics, and track and field. It is also common in cyclists and skiers.
Iliotibial Band Disruption
Iliotibial band disruption or irritation can also cause knee pain. The iliotibial band, commonly known as the IT band, is a tough band of tissue that extends from the outside of the hip to the outside of the knee. The IT band can become so tight that it rubs against the outer portion of the femur, causing pain in the front and side of the knee. This pain can also extend up the thigh and can even cause hip pain. Distance runners and cyclists are especially susceptible. However, at Pro-Holistic Care, this is one of the most common sources of knee pain that we find. Anyone who stands or sits for long hours at work, or even people who do normal workouts and recreational sports, can develop IT band issues.
Arthritis
Knee pain may stem from any of the structures in the knee. At the knee’s structures, the most common cause of knee pain we see is Arthritis. Several types of arthritis can cause knee pain. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of degenerative arthritis. This type of arthritis is due to aging, the wear and tear of the knee’s cartilage and bones, and everyday activities and old injuries. Osteoarthritis causes stiffness, pain, swelling, and loss of mobility. The pain with osteoarthritis can range from a constant ache to sharp stabbing pain with certain motions or activities. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause knee pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that erodes the joint lining. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause a lot of swelling and cause anywhere from mild to debilitating pain. Another type of arthritis is Gouty arthritis. This type of arthritis is due to the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joint.
Bursitis
Finally, knee bursitis is another common issue patients present with at Pro-Holistic Care in Chicago. Bursae are small sacs of fluid that cushion the joint. Knee bursae are located in front of, above, and below the knee cap. There are also bursae located in the inner part of the lower end of the knee. Some injuries cause inflammation of these shock-absorbing sacs. Most commonly, overuse of the knee from long hours of standing, hard physical labor, or intense activities causes knee bursitis. Other risk factors include prolonged kneeling, direct blows to the knee from sports, frequent falls, obesity, and osteoarthritis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a chiropractor in Lincoln Square, IL, good for knee pain?
Absolutely! At Pro-Holistic Care, we offer many treatment options, from chiropractic to rehab to shockwave therapy. We are confident that we can find the best treatment options for you.
Should I exercise with knee pain?
Keeping the knee moving and staying active is always a good idea. However, our doctors always say, if it hurts, don’t do it! If a certain activity hurts, like running, do not continue that activity or exercise until the knee problem is resolved and you can do it pain-free.
Is it better to use heat or ice on knee pain?
For acute injuries, injuries that happened very recently, especially if there is swelling, ice and rest are best. If you are dealing with chronic knee pain, pain that has been happening for more than three months, heat should be applied.
Are chiropractors covered by insurance for knee pain?
Pro-Holistic Care is in Network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and Aetna PPO. Some other out-of-network insurers may provide some out-of-network benefits. However, if you do not have insurance coverage, do not worry. Pro-Holistic Care offers cash-pay options and payment plans that fit your needs.
How can I stop knee pain?
The best way to stop your knee pain is to identify the source of the problem and treat it. Call us sooner rather than later. Most types of knee pain will not simply go away on their own. Our doctors at Pro-Holistic Care in Chicago, IL, will identify the source of your knee pain and provide an effective, efficient treatment plan.
$69 New Patient Special
Includes Consultation, Evaluation, X-rays if needed & Doctor’s report of findings
