Can Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic Help Knee Pain?

Knee pain can occur due to injury, overly tight muscles, joint degeneration and even from foot, ankle or hip problems that shift the knee. Knee pain is a common musculoskeletal problem which can be solved with the help of atlas orthogonal chiropractic treatment. Let’s learn about the causes and symptoms and then move towards how chiropractic manipulation can help in relieving knee pain.

Causes

There are many causes of knee dysfunction, most of which are treatable with conservative care such as atlas orthogonal chiropractic manipulation, myofascial release, and rehabilitation. Let’s take a look at some of the causes associated with knee pain:

Injuries

ACL injury

It is the tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament which is one of four ligaments that connect the shinbone to the thighbone. This injury is particularly common in people who play basketball, soccer or other sports that require sudden changes in direction.

Fractures

When the bones of the knee, including the kneecap (patella), is broken during motor vehicle collisions or falls, it causes knee pain. Moreover, people whose bones have been weakened by osteoporosis can sustain a knee fracture simply by stepping in the wrong manner.

Torn meniscus

The meniscus is rubbery cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the shinbone and thighbone. When muscles are torn due to a sudden twist, it causes friction between the joints and makes it hard to bear the weight of the body.

Knee bursitis

Some knee injuries are the reason behind the inflammation of the bursae, the small sacs of fluid that cushion the outside of your knee joint so that tendons and ligaments glide smoothly over the joint.

Patellar tendinitis

Tendinitis is the occurrence of irritation and inflammation of one or more tendons which are the thick and fibrous tissues that attach muscles to bones. Athletes involved in jumping sports and activities are prone to develop inflammation in the patellar tendon, which bridges the quadriceps muscle on the front of the thigh to the shinbone. Short-term knee pain is not a serious issue, but some knee injuries and medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis, can lead to aggravating pain, joint damage and disability if left untreated. Even if you are suffering from a minor knee injury make sure that you consult atlas orthogonal chiropractic as soon as possible otherwise it can turn into a severe ailment.

Mechanical problems

Loose body

Sometimes injury or degeneration can lead a piece of bone or cartilage to break off and float in the joint space. It may not create any issues unless your loose body interferes with knee joint movement, in that case, the effect is something like a pencil caught in a door hinge.

Iliotibial band syndrome

It occurs when the tough band of tissue that extends from the outside of your hip to the outside of your knee (iliotibial band) becomes so tight that it rubs against the outer portion of your femur. Marathon runners are more likely to suffer from iliotibial band syndrome.

Dislocated Kneecap

When the triangular bone (patella) that covers the front of your knee get misplaced, it causes a dislocated kneecap problem.

Hip or foot pain

If you are suffering from hip or foot pain, the reason maybe because of a change in your walking style. Due to the change in walking style, knee joints receive more stress from the upper body.

Arthritis

Another common cause of knee pain is arthritis as it degenerates and narrows the space between the joints which can cause swelling, stiffness, and pain. The varieties of arthritis most likely to affect the knee include:

Osteoarthritis

It is degenerative arthritis which occurs due to wear-and-tear of cartilages in your knee that deteriorates with use and age.

Rheumatoid arthritis

It is an autoimmune disease that can affect almost any joint in your body, including your knees. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease which results in bone erosion and joint deformity that makes it hard for the patient to move.

Gout

When uric acid crystals build up in the joint, it leads to gout. It causes severe pain, redness and swelling in joints, often the big toe and even in knees which may reduce motion.

Pseudogout

This disease is due to the formation of calcium-containing crystals in the joint fluid which affects the joints of the knees. Furthermore, if you find such common symptoms and indicators, then its time to try atlas orthogonal chiropractic manipulation for knee pain.

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Clicking
• Popping
• Swelling
• Feeling the knee might buckle
• Weakness

Sports Activity

It is one of the more common causes of knee pain. Cycling, running, or any activity which requires repetitive motion can cause muscular imbalance and general wear and tear within some of the muscles. Each stride the person takes while running exerts up to 550% more force on their knee than standing, which can be a prime reason for the malfunction and pain in the knees. Improper footwear can also shift the angle of the foot and lower leg. By changing the angle the knee glides and it can put unusual torque and stress on the knee leading to friction on the joint and tightness as well as inefficient use of the muscles around the knee like the IT band, quads, and hamstrings. Moreover, old injuries, either minor or major can commonly cause scarring in the tissue which can change the way you use your knee, potentially leading to pain and degeneration.

Risk factors

There is a number of factors that can aggravate the risk of having knee problems, including:

Excessive weight

Being overweight or obese elevates stress on your knee joints, even during ordinary activities such as walking or going up and down stairs. It increases the risk of osteoarthritis by accelerating the breakdown of joint cartilage.

Lack of muscle flexibility or strength

A lack of strength and flexibility are the driving causes of knee injuries. When the knee muscles get tight or weak, it offers less support for the knees as they don’t absorb enough of the stress exerted on the joint.

Treatment

Before getting an atlas orthogonal chiropractic adjustments, the practitioner will take a detailed health history and evaluation, then they will figure out the reason behind the pain, as well as possible causes. It is likely that your atlas orthogonal chiropractic clinic will ask you to walk a few lengths of the office or hallway to establish the kind of stress and pressure you put on your knee when you walk. It will help them to determine a plan of treatment. After determining the amount of pain exerted on knees, the chiropractor through joint manipulation and massage will align your knee back to its original position. It may take several visits to get your knees functioning properly and it may be necessary to exercise at home. The atlas orthogonal chiropractic provider will likely give you exercises such as stretching a few times a day to help get your knee back to good health. They also provide footwear recommendations to help your knee get back to the correct position. Your knees are a critical part of your body, and a chiropractor can help you make it efficient again.

Prevention

As the saying goes, ”Prevention is better than cure.” Here are some preventions methods you can use after getting atlas orthogonal chiropractic manipulation to keep your knees healthy.

Keep extra pounds off

Maintain a healthy weight as it’s the best gift you can give to your knees. Every extra pound that you add to your body puts additional strain on your joints, increasing the risk of injuries and osteoarthritis.

Be in shape to play your sport

To prepare your muscles for physical sports, take time for conditioning. Start working with a coach or a trainer to make sure your technique and movement are the best they can be.

Get strong, stay flexible

As weak muscles are a leading cause of knee injuries, it is essential to building up your quadriceps and hamstrings, which support your knees. Balance and stability training keeps the muscles around your knees working more effectively. To add to this, tight muscles can contribute to injury; stretching is essential in preventing this. Try to incorporate flexibility exercises in your workouts.

Be smart about exercise

If you have been through osteoarthritis, chronic knee pain or recurring injuries, you may need to change the regime of your workout. Consider switching to aquatic exercises like swimming, water aerobics or other low-impact activities, at least for a few days a week. Limiting the high-impact activities will provide relief to the knees. Physical Healthcare of Jacksonville has a dedicated center for atlas orthogonal chiropractic adjustment to help you alleviate knee pain. We offer a wide-range of evaluation to determine the cause of the knee pain to provide precise treatment. Contact Physical Healthcare of Jacksonville for more information.