Scenic City Clinic of Chiropractic helps patients throughout Chattanooga and the surrounding tri-state area find relief from knee pain using conservative, natural approaches. Whether your knee pain developed gradually or came on after a specific injury, our team looks at the whole picture — not just the knee itself — before recommending a plan, since the actual source of knee pain isn’t always located where the pain is felt.
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Understanding Knee Pain
The knee is a weight-bearing joint that absorbs significant force with every step, run, or jump, which makes it one of the most commonly injured joints in the body. It relies on a complex system of ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and the meniscus to stay stable while allowing for a wide range of motion, and any of these structures can become a source of pain when irritated, overloaded, or injured.
Knee pain isn’t always caused by a problem in the knee itself. Because the knee sits between the hip and the ankle, misalignment or dysfunction at either of those joints can change how force travels through the knee with every step, contributing to pain that seems to originate locally but actually stems from elsewhere in the kinetic chain.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
- Osteoarthritis — gradual breakdown of cartilage within the joint, one of the most common causes of chronic knee pain
- Patellar tendinopathy — irritation of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shin, common in athletes and active individuals
- Ligament sprains or tears — including the ACL, MCL, and other stabilizing ligaments
- Meniscus injuries — damage to the cartilage that cushions the joint
- Bursitis — inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee
- Misalignment issues — from the hip, pelvis, or foot, altering how weight is distributed through the knee
Symptoms of Knee Pain
- Aching, sharp, or burning pain around or within the joint
- Swelling or a feeling of fullness in the knee
- Stiffness, particularly after periods of rest
- A popping, clicking, or grinding sensation with movement
- A feeling of instability or the knee “giving way”
- Pain that worsens with weight-bearing activity, stairs, or squatting
When to Seek Immediate Medical Care
Most knee pain can be evaluated and managed conservatively, but certain symptoms warrant prompt medical attention:
- Inability to bear weight on the affected leg
- Visible deformity of the knee
- Sudden, severe swelling following an injury
- Signs of infection, such as fever, redness, or warmth at the joint
If none of these apply to you, our team can help evaluate whether conservative, non-surgical care is an appropriate starting point for your specific knee pain.
How Scenic City Clinic of Chiropractic Approaches Knee Pain
Because knee pain can stem from the joint itself or from misalignment elsewhere in the lower body, our approach starts with a complete evaluation rather than treating the knee in isolation. Depending on your specific presentation, your care plan may draw from several services:
- Chiropractic care — addressing hip, pelvic, and spinal alignment issues that can alter how force travels through the knee
- Acupuncture — a complementary approach some patients use for knee pain, including osteoarthritis-related discomfort
- Class IV laser therapy — supporting reduced inflammation and pain relief directly at the knee joint
- Muscle rehabilitation — rebuilding strength in the muscles that support and stabilize the knee, particularly the quadriceps and hamstrings
Your specific combination of services is built around your evaluation, not applied as a generic protocol for every patient with knee pain. Patients report meaningful relief through this whole-person approach, though outcomes vary depending on the underlying cause, how long symptoms have been present, and how the individual body responds. We’re careful not to promise a guaranteed result for any specific condition — our job is to build a plan around what your evaluation actually shows.
What to Expect During Your Evaluation
Your evaluation includes a conversation about your symptoms, when they started, and what activities make them better or worse, along with a physical examination of your knee, hip, and gait. Because knee pain so often connects to alignment and movement patterns elsewhere in the body, your doctor will assess more than just the knee joint itself during your evaluation.
How Knee Pain Is Diagnosed
Diagnosis typically starts with a hands-on examination, including specific movement and stability tests that help identify which structures are involved. Your doctor will also observe your gait and assess alignment of the hip and pelvis, since these often play a role in knee symptoms. In some cases, imaging such as X-ray or MRI may be recommended, particularly if symptoms don’t improve with initial conservative care or if a significant structural injury, like a ligament or meniscus tear, is suspected.
Reducing Your Risk of Knee Pain
While not every case of knee pain can be prevented, some general habits may help reduce strain on the joint:
- Building balanced strength in the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip muscles that support the knee
- Warming up before activity, particularly sports involving running, jumping, or sudden direction changes
- Wearing supportive, appropriate footwear for your activity level
- Addressing early symptoms promptly rather than continuing to push through pain
Common Questions and Misconceptions
One common misconception is that knee pain always means something is structurally torn or damaged inside the joint. In reality, a significant amount of knee pain stems from alignment, muscle imbalance, or overuse rather than a structural tear, and many patients improve significantly with conservative care once the underlying mechanical issue is addressed.
Another common misconception is that osteoarthritis-related knee pain simply has to be managed with medication until surgery becomes necessary. While there’s no cure for osteoarthritis, many patients find meaningful symptom relief and improved function through a combination of conservative approaches, including targeted movement, laser therapy, and addressing alignment issues that place extra stress on the joint.
Why Choose Scenic City Clinic of Chiropractic for Knee Pain
- Whole-body evaluation. We look at the hip, pelvis, and gait, not just the knee, to identify the actual source of your pain.
- Multiple therapies under one roof. Chiropractic care, acupuncture, laser therapy, and muscle rehabilitation are all available and coordinated as part of one plan.
- Natural, drug-free approach. We focus on addressing the root cause of knee pain without defaulting to medication or surgery first.
- Multi-generational trust. Scenic City Clinic of Chiropractic has served the Chattanooga community for decades, with a family-rooted approach to patient care.
Knee Pain FAQs
What are the most common causes of knee pain?
Common causes include osteoarthritis, patellar tendinopathy, ligament sprains or tears, meniscus injuries, bursitis, and misalignment issues affecting how weight is distributed through the joint. The knee is a weight-bearing joint that absorbs significant force with every step, which makes it prone to both gradual wear and acute injury. For more detailed information on osteoarthritis, one of the most common causes of chronic knee pain, see the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases’ (NIAMS) overview of osteoarthritis.
Can hip or foot problems cause knee pain?
Yes. Because the knee sits between the hip and the ankle, misalignment or dysfunction at either joint can change how force travels through the knee, contributing to pain that seems to originate in the knee itself. A thorough evaluation looks at the whole lower body, not just the knee in isolation.
When should I seek immediate care for knee pain?
Seek prompt medical care if you’re unable to bear weight on the leg, notice visible deformity, experience sudden severe swelling after an injury, or have signs of infection such as fever, redness, or warmth at the joint. These can indicate a more serious injury that needs medical evaluation before conservative care.
Can chiropractic care help with knee pain?
Many patients with knee pain connected to alignment or gait issues find relief through chiropractic care addressing the hip, pelvis, and lower spine, often combined with therapies like laser therapy that target the knee directly. Whether chiropractic care is appropriate depends on the underlying cause, which your doctor will evaluate.
Does knee pain always mean I need surgery?
No. Many causes of knee pain, including early osteoarthritis, tendinopathy, and mild ligament strains, respond well to conservative, non-surgical care. Surgery is generally considered when conservative options haven’t provided sufficient relief or when there’s a significant structural injury.
How long does knee pain take to improve?
Timelines vary depending on the cause. Mild strains or tendinopathy may improve within a few weeks of appropriate care, while chronic conditions like osteoarthritis are typically managed on an ongoing basis rather than fully resolved.
Schedule Your Knee Pain Evaluation in Chattanooga, TN
If you’re dealing with knee pain, our team is here to help you find the actual cause and the right path forward.
Scenic City Clinic of Chiropractic
7530 Goodwin Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421
(423) 402-4602