An osteopath can help with knee problems by treating not just the knee itself but also the surrounding structures—like the hips, feet, and lower back—that may be contributing to the issue. Here’s how they typically approach knee pain:
Comprehensive Assessment
Whole-body view: Osteopaths assess your gait, leg alignment, posture, and movement to find underlying causes.
Functional testing: They evaluate joint mobility, muscle strength, and balance to pinpoint dysfunction.
Manual Therapy
Soft tissue techniques: Reduce tension in the quadriceps, hamstrings, IT band, and calf muscles, all of which affect the knee.
Joint mobilization: Gentle techniques to restore movement in the knee joint and associated areas (e.g., hips, ankles).
Lymphatic drainage: May be used to reduce swelling in and around the knee.
Addressing Biomechanical Imbalances
Misalignment in the pelvis, hip, ankle, or foot can place uneven stress on the knee. Osteopaths work to correct these imbalances, improving how force is distributed through the leg.
Rehabilitation Exercises
Tailored strengthening and stretching programs help stabilize the knee, especially for conditions like patellofemoral pain syndrome or ligament injuries.
Advice and Prevention
Osteopaths give guidance on proper footwear, posture, training techniques, and activity modification to prevent further injury.
