Knees, Knees, Knees — Part 1

I’ve been thinking a lot about knees lately. Why? you might ask. Perhaps, like many people, you don’t think of knee problems as “chiropractic” problems. Maybe you think chiropractic physicians are limited to just cracking backs and adjusting necks. Recently, one of my patients told me that, when she told a friend she was seeing her chiropractic physician for her knee problem, the response she got was, “Why, would you go to a chiropractor for your knee?”

Why, indeed? Well, would you be surprised to learn that I treat lots of patients with knee problems? It’s not really surprising when you think about it.

The knee is one of the most troublesome components of the often-troublesome human musculoskeletal system. Our evolution from quadruped to biped took eons, but it happened too fast for the poor old knee joint. It’s just not designed to bear the weight and torque of all this upright posture and walking. To say nothing of gardening, running, rock climbing, and the other assorted stresses we add to its daily burdens.

The truth is that I have a lot of success treating knee problems, assuming that the underlying structure isn’t already damaged beyond repair. I employ a variety of modalities, including electrical stimulation, ultrasound, massage, and suction acupuncture, all mixed with a lot of common sense. By understanding your knee’s normal structure and function, we can usually find a way back to a healthier situation.

More to come...