Your knees absorb shock, carry your body weight and keep you moving all day, so knee pain affects nearly everything you do. At RESPORT in Old Town, our chiropractors combine chiropractic care and physical therapy to find what is driving your knee pain and build a plan to get you back to running, training and daily life. We see patients from Old Town, the Gold Coast, River North, Lincoln Park and across downtown Chicago.
Knee pain is common at every age and activity level. It can be mild and nagging or severe enough to stop you from walking comfortably. Common symptoms include:
Knee pain often comes from more than the knee itself. Weak hips, limited ankle mobility, running mechanics and posture can all add stress to the joint. That is why we assess the whole leg, not just the sore spot.
Runner’s knee is pain around or behind the kneecap. It often flares with running, stairs, squatting or sitting for long periods. We focus on hip and thigh strength, kneecap tracking and training load, and use running gait analysis to spot form issues.
IT band syndrome causes sharp pain on the outside of the knee, common in runners and cyclists. Treatment combines soft-tissue work, hip strengthening and changes to your running or training routine.
Patellar tendinitis is pain just below the kneecap from repeated jumping, running or heavy leg training. We use progressive tendon loading, and shockwave therapy can help with stubborn cases.
Twisting, pivoting and contact sports can strain knee ligaments or irritate the meniscus. Our sports injury rehab program restores stability, strength and confidence. If an exam suggests a significant tear, we will refer you for imaging or an orthopedic consult. See also our page on sprains and strains.
Arthritis causes stiffness and achy pain that is often worse in the morning or after activity. Guided exercise, joint mobility work and load management can reduce pain and help you stay active.
No two knees are the same, so we don’t use a one-size-fits-all plan. Your care may combine several of these treatments:
The goal is not only to reduce pain but to fix what caused it, so it is less likely to come back.
Have questions about coverage? See our chiropractic insurance page.
Yes. Our chiropractors use joint mobilization, soft-tissue work and corrective exercise for the knee, hip and ankle to reduce pain and improve how your knee moves. At RESPORT, chiropractic care is combined with physical therapy, so you get hands-on treatment and a strengthening plan in one place.
No. If your kneecap (patella) has slipped out of place, or your knee looks deformed after an injury, get medical care right away at an emergency room or urgent care. A dislocated knee joint is a different and more serious injury that can damage blood vessels and nerves. Once you’ve been medically cleared, we can help with rehab to rebuild strength and stability.
Knee pain without a specific injury often comes from overuse, arthritis, muscle weakness (especially in the hips and thighs), tight muscles or running and training mechanics. Increasing activity too fast is a common trigger.
Overuse and injuries such as sprains and tears are among the most common causes. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of ongoing knee pain in older adults.
While your knee is painful, cut back on high-impact activities like running and jumping, and avoid long periods of kneeling or deep squatting. Don’t push through sharp pain. Gentle movement is usually better than complete rest, and we’ll show you what’s safe for your knee.
Yes. Physical therapy is within our chiropractors’ scope of practice, so the same doctor who evaluates your knee also guides your strengthening and rehab. Your plan can combine hands-on joint and soft-tissue care with a progressive exercise program.
It depends on the cause and how long you’ve had symptoms. Many patients notice improvement within the first few visits. We’ll give you an expected timeline after your evaluation and adjust it as you progress.
Many plans cover chiropractic and physical therapy for knee pain. Visit our chiropractic insurance page or call (312) 900-2640 and we’ll help you check your benefits.
Seek medical care right away if you can’t put weight on your leg, your knee looks deformed, it is very swollen, red or hot, or you have a fever with knee pain. These can be signs of a fracture, dislocation or infection.
