The Top 3 Causes of Knee Pain: How We Help Patients in Alameda Find Relief

Knee Pain Treatment in Alameda and Oakland

Knee pain is one of the most common reasons people search for a chiropractor in Alameda. Whether it’s from sports, exercise, or daily activities, knee pain can slow you down and keep you from doing the things you love. What many people don’t realize is that the knee isn’t always the true problem.

At our clinic, we use functional movement assessments to look beyond the knee and uncover the root cause of pain. Often, issues in the hips or ankles are putting extra stress on the knees. By treating the body as a whole system, we help our patients move better, recover faster, and prevent knee pain from coming back.

Here are the top three causes of knee pain we often see with our patients in Alameda:

1. Overuse and Repetitive Stress

Repetitive movements—like running, squatting, cycling, or climbing stairs—can put ongoing pressure on the knee joint. Without proper recovery or balanced muscle support, this leads to irritation of tendons, cartilage, or ligaments. Many athletes and active adults develop pain from “too much, too soon” or repeating the same movement patterns without enough variation or strength training. Common issues our patients deal with in this category are runner's knee, tendonitis, and even meniscus tears!.

How we assess: During a functional movement assessment, we evaluate how you squat, reach, and stand. This helps us spot poor movement control, muscle imbalances, or limited mobility that could be increasing stress on your knees.

2. Inhibited or Imbalanced Hip Muscles

Your hips are the foundation for lower body strength. When hip muscles, especially the glutes, aren’t activating properly, the knees often compensate. This can cause the knee to collapse inward or rotate in ways that lead to pain and irritation. Conditions like patellofemoral pain (pain around the kneecap) or IT band syndrome often stem from hip muscle dysfunction.

How we assess: We use single-leg tests and movement screens to see how your hips and knees work together. If your knee collapses inward during a squat or lunge, it’s a sign that your hips aren’t providing the support your knees need.

3. Limited Ankle Mobility

Ankle stiffness is another hidden cause of knee pain. If your ankle doesn’t bend properly, your knee has to take on more motion than it should. This extra strain can make even simple activities, like walking, running, or squatting, uncomfortable.

How we assess: Our assessments check ankle flexibility and stability control and how it can affect your knees during movement. When we restore proper ankle mobility and control, the knees don’t have to overcompensate, reducing stress and pain.

Chiropractic and Rehab for Knee Pain Treatment in Alameda

At our clinic, we don’t just chase symptoms, we treat the root cause. Using a combination of chiropractic care, functional movement training, and rehab exercises, we restore healthy movement through the hips, knees, and ankles. This approach not only relieves knee pain but also helps you move with more strength and resilience.

Whether you’re an athlete, an active adult, or someone dealing with everyday knee discomfort, our goal is to help you stay active and pain-free. We help you get more control over how your body feels and functions.

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