This article is one of a series covering knee pain — causes, symptoms, and the treatments we use at Back and Body Medical in Midtown Manhattan. For the complete overview, see the full guide:
→ Knee Pain Treatment in New York City — The Complete Guide
An important thing to understand about knee pain is that it can happen to anyone. You needn’t be elderly. You needn’t be overweight or an elite athlete.
Knee pain can hit anyone, any time.
And it really hurts, because without our knee joints, we’re not up to much. They’re a cornerstone of mobility. So, this post addresses knee pain: symptoms, causes, treatment and relief, in the spirit of educating you about your all-important knees.
Please keep in mind while reading that the longer you wait to see a health professional, the worse things will get. If it hurts, it needs attention. While DIY cures are a good start, they won’t address any underlying issues at work.
Let’s look at a couple of common knee problems.
Runner’s Knee
We see a lot of this condition at BBNY, as we treat so many amateur and professional athletes. Add to that the fact that runner’s knee is the most common knee complaint among people aged 20 to 60. And you don’t need to be a runner to get it, either.
Pain inside the knee, under the patella (kneecap), is caused by this bone rubbing up against the femur (thigh bone).
Strengthening the muscles of the thigh is your first line of attack but one of the most effective strategies is to alter your body mechanics via the length of your stride when running or walking. Taking smaller steps while running or walking removes pressure on the patella.
Osteoarthritis
Another common condition of the knee is osteoarthritis. It amounts to the lining of the joint wearing out, allowing contact between adjacent bones.
Many people over 50 experiencing this type of knee problem elect to sit and wait. But that’s the worst thing you can do. Our joints need to be intentionally moved to promote their continuing mobility.
Strengthening supportive muscle structures is your best way forward. So, try some chair squats! Stand in front of the chair with your arms in front of you. Then, lower yourself into the chair until your buttocks touch it. Immediately stand up and do it again.
5 squats to start is good, building up as you go along.
Cycling is another great solution. There’s no impact involved, and your entire lower body gets a gentle workout. Go on 30-minute rides as often as you can to strengthen the hip and thigh muscles and to keep the joint mobile.
But if you’re already trying DIY solutions and you’re still struggling with knee pain, a visit to Back & Body Medical in New York City is your next move.
Back & Body Medical
Multi-disciplinarian pain relief is an approach whose time has come. At Back & Body Medical in the heart of Manhattan, we combine therapies from 4 distinct disciplines to tailor care to individual patients.
Our approach is so effective it’s won awards.
If you’re struggling with knee pain, you’ll find support at Back & Body, with a team of chiropractors, acupuncturists, sports medicine practitioners and physical therapists.
Our team is here to help. Contact us.
Dr Shan Sivendra MD is the founder and medical director of Back and Body Medical in Midtown Manhattan. A board-certified medical doctor, certified acupuncturist, and Director of House Physicians at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Dr Sivendra has been practicing in New York since 1995.
He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Saint Barnabas Medical Center (affiliated with Mount Sinai School of Medicine) and received the Resident Research Award for three consecutive years.
Dr Sivendra has a background spanning internal medicine, pain management, and conservative spine rehabilitation, and was licensed in both the US and the UK.
At Back and Body Medical, he leads a multidisciplinary team of chiropractors, physical therapists, and acupuncturists dedicated to helping patients recover from pain without surgery or unnecessary medication.