| Your Online Chiropractic CommunityMost people don’t realize the importance of the knees in helping us walk, run, or even stand. Of course, once they injure their knees, they become all too aware of just the amount of load the knee is expected to bear.
Because the knees work like hinged joints, they will bear the brunt of a person’s weight, and any knee injury or chronic condition, such as osteoarthritis (OA), will greatly increase stress on the knees. Excess weight will also increase stress on the knee joint.
In severe cases, most MDs will recommend knee replacement, which entails a long, slow recovery period to regain strength in the thighs, knees, lower legs, ankles, and feet. However, chiropractic adjustments to the knees are a less invasive solution to knee pain and stiffness. Furthermore, continuing regular adjustments to the knees once symptoms have cleared up will keep the knees working at top performance.
How can chiropractic help alleviate knee problems?
Many knee problems occur as a result of restrictions of the joint capsule and surrounding ligaments. The joint capsule is a ligament structure that surrounds the entire joint, allowing for full movement and may become restricted, or stiff, due to either a knee injury or a chronic condition such as OA. The end result is a knee that has either partial or complete loss of range of motion and weight-bearing ability.
Instrument adjusting for the knees will help break up these joint capsule restrictions, as well as reduce
inflammation and swelling around the knee. It may also be done in conjunction with other techniques, such as soft tissue manipulation, stretching, and massage.
What does the research say?
There are several case reports showing improvement in patients who undergo instrument assisted adjustment of the knees.
An article published in the Sept. 17, 1994, issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics discussed the instrument-assisted treatment of a torn meniscus in a 54-year-old
woman who opted for chiropractic care rather than surgery. She underwent instrument adjustments of the knee, along with homeopathic treatments. She regained full function of the knee without having to undergo surgery.
Another case report in the December 2010 issue of the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine discussed a 60-year-old woman with a medial meniscus tear to the left knee.
Instrument adjustments were made to the knee, in conjunction with soft tissue manipulation using lymphatic drainage and effleurage. The patient underwent 12 treatments, after which she was able to walk, swim, and ride a bicycle. Furthermore, she reported very low pain in the knee at the end of the treatments.
Chiropractic treatment of knees can be done either in place of surgery, or as a therapeutic technique to speed healing after surgery. Either way, it is clear that instrument adjustment of the knees can help patients quickly return to their normal activities.
