The Hidden Cause of Knee Pain (And Why Most Treatments Miss It)
The Real Reason Your Knee Hurts (And Why It’s Not Just About Your Knee)
If you’ve ever had nagging knee pain that just won’t quit, despite stretching, strengthening, or rest - you’re not alone. The knee can be frustrating because often there is more going on than just your knee!
I recently completed a certification course through the Institute of Physical Art (IPA) called The Knee: The Junction Dilemma, and it significantly helped me master treating any knee condition. The knee isn’t just a hinge joint, it’s a messenger. It reflects what’s happening above and below it: in your hips, pelvis, ankle, and foot.
When one of those areas isn’t moving well, your knee can pay the price.
The “Junction” Problem No One Talks About
Think of the knee as the middle child, it takes direction from the hip above and the foot below. If your hip is unstable or your foot isn’t absorbing force properly, the knee ends up doing extra work.
That’s why traditional treatments like foam rolling, ice, or isolated strengthening can sometimes only go so far. Effective, lasting relief happens when we treat the whole chain, including the pelvis, hip, knee, and foot in one treatment session.
During my IPA certification, I trained in Functional Mobilization™, a hands-on approach that restores movement through the entire system. It’s designed to create immediate functional change—not just short-term relief. We perform thorough assessments to help find the exact issue, and get you feeling better within that same session!
Who I Help 🏃♂️ 🏋️♀️
I work with a variety of clients who put a lot of demand on their knees, including:
Runners and marathoners with overuse injuries or IT band pain
Athletes needing stability and quick recovery after ligament or meniscus issues
Yoga practitioners and dancers looking to improve strength and alignment without pain
Active adults who want to move confidently, whether it’s hiking, playing with their kids, or just getting through a long day pain-free
Common conditions I treat:
Patellofemoral pain (runner’s knee)
Meniscus irritation or post-surgical stiffness
IT band syndrome
Ligament instability (ACL, MCL, LCL, etc.)
Foot and ankle dysfunction causing knee pain
Fat pad syndrome, Baker cyst
Degenerative Knee Pain
Quick Knee Facts You Should Know
Instead of “Lift With Knees,” we should be thinking lift with hips, and ground with feet.
Limited ankle mobility or weak arches are two of the most common hidden causes of knee pain.
Research shows hip strength and control play a bigger role in knee alignment than most people realize.
That’s why I never just treat the knee, I assess your movement, strength, and stability from the ground up.
5 Simple Tips for Happier Knees
Knee alignment. Avoid locking out the knee and aim to keep them aligned with your 2nd toe
Activate more than just your glutes. Strong hips stabilize the knee during running and squats.
Analyze barefoot walking. Often we are doing activities in shoes, and can’t interpret the foot position.
Do single-leg work. It builds balance and reduces compensation patterns.
Listen early. Don’t ignore discomfort, it’s your body’s first sign something’s off.
Why Whole-Chain Physical Therapy Works
Your knee isn’t permanently in pain, it’s responding to a system that can be out of balance. My approach blends manual therapy, movement retraining, and functional strength work to treat the root cause of pain, not just the symptoms.
Clients often feel immediate changes in comfort, control, and confidence after their first session, and leave with a clear plan to stay pain-free.
🔹 New Client Offer: 20% Off Your First Knee Session
To celebrate completing my new certification, I’m offering 20% off your first physical therapy session for any knee-related condition.
If you’re tired of living with knee pain, or want to perform your best without worrying about injury, now’s the perfect time to get started.
📍 Book your session today and experience how treating the whole chain—from pelvis to foot—can transform your movement and relieve pain naturally.
