Can Chiropractors Help With Knee Pain?

How Chiropractic Care Addresses the Root Cause of Knee Pain

Yes, chiropractors can help with knee pain, especially when the pain is caused or worsened by poor biomechanics, muscle imbalances, past injuries, or structural misalignment. While not every knee condition can be reversed, many cases improve significantly when the mechanical stress on the joint is properly identified and corrected. The knee does not function alone. It is part of a larger movement system involving the feet, hips, pelvis, and spine. At Square One Health, we evaluate the entire body when someone presents with knee pain because the true cause is often bigger than the knee itself.

Why This Is Personal for Me

In college, I started powerlifting. I loved squatting and pushing heavy weights. But after a while, I began developing low back pain and knee pain during squats. It got to the point where I was not able to lift as heavy and had to decrease my training. This was devastating for me because I was only in my 20’s and I had a powerlifting competition that I had already signed up for. I tried stretching more. I tried foam rolling and massage. Nothing was helping. Then I thought, maybe I will try a chiropractor and see what they can do. I am so thankful that I did. He adjusted me several times and evaluated how I was moving during my squats. He identified that my glutes were underactive and not stabilizing my hips properly during squats. Because of that, my knees were collapsing inward and my lower back was compensating. He prescribed specific corrective exercises to activate and strengthen my glutes. Within weeks, my knee pain was gone. I was able to compete in that competition and set an Arizona state record for squat in the junior division. That moment changed everything for me. It showed me that pain can be a mechanical problem, not just inflammation. It was because of that experience that I decided to become a chiropractor so I could help others fix the root cause of their pain the same way mine was fixed.

Common Causes of Knee Pain

Macro Trauma: Sports Injuries, Twists, and Falls

One major cause of knee pain is a single significant injury such as a sports accident, awkward landing, or fall. These events can lead to ligament sprains, meniscus tears, or cartilage damage. Even after the initial injury improves, altered movement patterns or lingering instability can continue placing abnormal stress on the joint. Over time, this uneven loading may contribute to chronic pain or early degeneration.

Micro Trauma: Repetitive Overuse

Many cases of knee pain develop gradually from repetitive stress. Running, squatting, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods can create small amounts of strain that accumulate over time. If the knee is not tracking properly because of hip weakness or poor foot mechanics, this repeated stress can irritate tendons and cartilage.

Flat Feet and Poor Foot Mechanics

Your feet are the foundation of your posture. If you are flat footed or excessively pronated, the lower leg rotates inward and increases stress at the knee joint. Over time, this abnormal loading can contribute to inflammation and uneven cartilage wear.

Muscle Imbalances and Glute Weakness

As I experienced personally, weak or underactive glutes are a major contributor to knee pain. The gluteus medius stabilizes the pelvis during walking and squatting. When it is weak, the knee collapses inward and increases pressure inside the joint. Correcting muscle imbalances with targeted exercises can significantly reduce stress on the knee and help prevent long term damage.

Anatomical Short Leg and Pelvic Imbalance

Another commonly missed cause of chronic knee pain is an anatomical short leg. When one leg is structurally shorter, it creates pelvic unleveling and uneven weight distribution through the hips and knees. Over time, this asymmetry can accelerate cartilage breakdown and contribute to knee osteoarthritis. At Square One Health, we evaluate leg length discrepancy using an AP Modified Ferguson radiographic view following CBP methods. This allows us to objectively measure pelvic alignment and determine whether structural imbalance is contributing to knee stress.

Being Overweight

Body weight has a significant impact on knee health. For every pound of body weight, the knee experiences roughly four pounds of pressure during walking or standing. Even a small amount of excess weight can dramatically increase stress on the joint and accelerate degeneration.

How Chiropractors Help With Knee Pain

Chiropractic care for knee pain goes beyond focusing only on the knee. At Square One Health, we assess the entire kinetic chain including the feet, hips, pelvis, and spine. We evaluate foot structure, hip strength, pelvic alignment, and leg length discrepancies. We prescribe corrective exercises to improve stability and movement patterns. When necessary, we provide joint specific care to restore mobility, reduce inflammation, and promote regeneration. The goal is not just temporary symptom relief, but reducing the mechanical stress that caused the problem in the first place.

What To Do Next?

If you are dealing with knee pain, do not wait until it becomes severe arthritis or something that limits your ability to exercise, hike, lift, or play with your kids. Knee pain rarely starts as a major problem. It usually begins as a mechanical imbalance that worsens over time. The next step is a comprehensive evaluation to determine what is truly driving your knee pain. That means assessing your movement patterns, hip strength, pelvic alignment, and structural balance rather than just treating the knee itself. At Square One Health, this is exactly what we do. If you want answers instead of temporary fixes, schedule a consultation with our team. We will determine what is causing your knee pain, whether you are a good candidate for care, how long it will take, and what it will cost. If we do not believe we can help you, we will tell you that upfront. You do not have to live with knee pain. You just have to address the real cause.

Schedule an Appointment for Knee Pain

Schedule an appointment today to determine what is truly causing your knee pain. At Square One Health, we perform a comprehensive biomechanical evaluation to assess movement patterns, hip strength, pelvic alignment, and structural balance. The goal is to identify whether mechanical stress is contributing to your symptoms and whether you are a good candidate for care. Our team will explain what we find, how long care may take, and what it will cost so you can make an informed decision about your next steps.

Ready to take the next step towards a pain-free, healthier life? Our team is here to help you on your wellness journey. Click the button below to Schedule an Appointment and start experiencing the benefits of integrated medicine today!