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Z Spine and Joint Center |
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www.zspineandjoint.com |
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Within Solimar Wellness Spa |
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(651) 686-6686 |
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Better, Faster, Stronger, Resolution For Joint and Soft Tissue Injuries |
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Knee Pain |
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Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal reasons that people visit their doctor. Knee pain can be caused by a variety of referred sources such as the low back, pelvis, lower leg, and hip joints. Nerve root compression can also radiate pain into the knee. Many times pain is obviously caused by trauma or overuse. If the pain is diagnosed as being caused by trauma, overuse, or muscle imbalance, then a chiropractor trained in treating knee pain can be of great assistance in conservative care options. Gait analysis which looks at how a person walks and determines muscle imbalances and joint restrictions is a beneficial tool to help understand where functional links may be deficient. An example of a finding that may be important in correcting knee pain is a tight calf muscle which would show up as potentially inhibiting a person to push off effectively during walking and causing increased stress to go through the knee joint. This is a case where treating the structures around the knee may relieve some of the pain yet if the calf muscles in the lower leg were not treated, the pain may come back sooner or prevent efficient recovery.
A recent study featured in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism showed that for each pound of body weight lost, there is a 4-pound reduction in knee joint stress among overweight and obese people with osteoarthritis of the knee.
The implications of this recent study have profound implications. The reduction in knee stress for a loss of one pound of body weight would be over 4,800 lbs per mile walked. So if a person were to lose 10 pounds of body weight, each knee would essentially have 48,000 pounds less force subjected on the knees for every mile walked. So if you need any more encouragement to get in shape, do it for the knees!
Another factor to look at in regards to knee pain is foot and ankle alignment. If the foot and ankle are not aligned properly, the resultant forces may translate into increased stress at the knee joint. This problem can often be relieved by treating the soft tissue and bony structures in the foot and ankle with chiropractic adjustments, and soft tissue manipulation. Many people can also benefit from an orthotic insole as well. There are many conventional brands out there that attempt to block the motion of the foot to prevent it from moving into certain angles. This may be detrimental to the foot, though, as it can inhibit proper muscle activation in the foot and legs. An orthotic such as those found in the ALINE systems brand are designed to position the foot, ankle, and knee so they can function better. They do this by providing an orthotic that is not as rigid as many of today’s other brands.
As you can see, there are some pretty useful ways to address knee pain. If you have leg or knee pain that concern you, give us a call today!
Brad Zupancich, D.C. is the clinical director of Z Spine and Joint Center located within Solimar Wellness Spa in Eagan, MN -(651) 686-6686. Dr. Zupancich is a certified practitioner in the Graston Technique as well as a certified physician with the Motion Palpation Institute.
Any advice or opinions given in this article are not intended as a diagnosis or substitute for an examination from a healthcare practitioner. For more information visit www.ZSpineAndJoint.com or www.GrastonTechnique.com.
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Z Spine and Joint Center 1121 Town Centre Dr., Suite 105, Eagan, MN 55123 (In Solimar) Ph: 651-686-6686 (Solimar Wellness Spa) Fax: 651-389-0578
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