Knee Pain Treatment in Bend, Oregon
Get Back on the Trail
Knee pain is one of the most common complaints we see from Bend's trail runners, mountain bikers, hikers and skiers. We look past the sore spot to the hips, ankles and spine, find the movement problem that is overloading the knee, and treat it with adjustments, soft tissue work and rehab.
Sound familiar?
- A dull ache at the front of the knee or around the kneecap
- Sharp, stinging pain on the outside of the knee
- Pain that builds on downhills, stairs or long rides
- Stiffness after sitting or after a long day on the trail
What causes knee pain in active adults
Most knee pain in active people comes from repetitive overuse, muscle imbalances and small injuries that never fully healed. Two conditions we treat often:
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner's knee): an overuse injury that causes a dull, aching pain in the front of the knee and around the kneecap.
- Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome: the thick band of tissue down the outside of the thigh becomes tight and irritated from repetitive friction, causing sharp pain on the outside of the knee. It is a frequent complaint among mountain bikers and long-distance hikers.
Why Bend is hard on knees
Uneven trail terrain puts unpredictable stress on the ligaments that stabilize the knee. Running downhill increases the compressive force on the knee joint to up to 7 to 8 times your body weight. Cycling with poor pelvic alignment makes the kneecap and IT band track incorrectly with every pedal stroke. Jumping or pivoting without enough glute strength shifts the shock onto the knee.
How we treat it
Your first visit starts with a movement assessment of your hips, ankles and spine, not just the knee, to find the real mechanical problem. From there, care usually combines:
Chiropractic and extremity adjustmentsTo restore joint motion through the lower body
Functional rehabTo rebuild strength and control so the problem does not come back
Blood flow restriction (BFR) trainingTo build strength with less load on the joint
Ready to get back to it?
Care is one-on-one and starts with a movement assessment.
Preventing the next flare-up
A pre-season assessment can catch movement faults and tight spots before they turn into pain. Dynamic warm-ups (walking lunges, leg swings, hip circles), glute and hamstring strength, and calf capacity all take load off the knee, especially in cold weather when tissue is less elastic.
Common questions
What happens at my first visit?
Your first appointment begins with a full movement and postural assessment to find the root cause of your pain, then treatment and a plan.
Is knee pain from running always a knee problem?
Often it is not. Stiff ankles, weak glutes and hip or spine restrictions change how force moves through the leg, which is why we assess the whole chain.
Can I keep training while I am being treated?
Usually, with changes. Your plan is built around your sport and training volume, and we adjust it as you progress.