Knee Pain: How Physical Therapy Can Help

Knee pain is a common complaint that can significantly impact your daily life. One of the most prevalent causes of knee pain is patellar tendonitis, also known as jumper's knee. This condition occurs when the tendon that connects your kneecap to your shinbone becomes inflamed or irritated. While patellar tendonitis is a common culprit, there are other knee pain conditions that can benefit from physical therapy. 

Understanding Knee Pain

Knee pain can arise from various factors, including:

• Injuries: Strains, sprains, and tears of the ligaments, tendons, or muscles surrounding the knee.
• Overuse: Repetitive activities that put stress on the knee joint, such as running, jumping, or squatting.
• Arthritis: Degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis that cause inflammation and cartilage breakdown.
• Other conditions: Bursitis, meniscus tears, and fractures.

The Role of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is an effective approach to managing knee pain. Experienced physical therapists at Agapé Physical Therapy can accurately diagnose the underlying cause of your discomfort and develop a personalized treatment plan to address your specific needs. 

Common Physical Therapy Techniques for Knee Pain:

• Aquatic Therapy: This low-impact therapy involves performing exercises in a warm pool, reducing stress on the knee joint and improving range of motion. 4 of our 6 Rochester locations include aquatic therapy. Brockport has an inground pool with an underwater treadmill. Penfield, Gates, and Webster have Hydro Tanks where you walk into an enclosed treadmill that fills with water to approximately waist height. 
• Stretching: Stretching exercises help to improve flexibility and reduce muscle tension around the knee joint. There are many benefits of stretching, and each location has plenty of equipment to assist with learning how to properly elongate tight muscles. Our trained physical therapist will also perform manual stretching techniques as needed.
• Strengthening: Strengthening exercises target the muscles that support the knee, enhancing stability and reducing pain. You might be surprised by the amount of strengthening that can be done to reduce knee pain. Physical therapists often look below the knee at the ankle and above the knee at the hip and determine if there are weaknesses at any of these areas that could be affecting your knee pain. By addressing these weaknesses, the knee pain can often times be reduced. 
• Manual Therapy: Techniques such as massage and mobilization can help to reduce inflammation, improve joint mobility, and alleviate pain. Many locations also offer instrument assisted soft tissue massage (IASTM), active release technique (ART), and cupping as a part of therapy for pain relief around the knee. 
• Blood Flow Restriction: This technique involves applying a band to the thigh to restrict blood flow while performing low-intensity exercises. This can help build muscle strength and improve function. Agapé Physical Therapy uses AirBands, which is safe and effective. AirBands calibrate to the individual and determine the optimal percent occlusion. This is much more effective and specific than using generic bands for BFR.
• Pneumatic Compression Device: All of our locations also offer the usage of the Game Ready system. This is an ice compression machine with a specialized cuff to support the thigh or knee. Our Chili location also has the newest model of the Game Ready which has the option of ice and heat alternating to provide contrast therapy. This type of therapy can create long lasting relief by reducing swelling and inflammation in the knee.
• Alter G Anti- Gravity Treadmill: All six of our locations also have antigravity treadmills. These treadmills can unload body weight up to 80%. This means that you can begin walking with less pressure on the knee and hip joints. These treadmills also can be used for standing balance and other exercises that would be beneficial to do while unweighted. It provides similar benefits like aquatic therapy but is more useful in a session where a person does not want to get wet. 

Why Choose Agapé Physical Therapy?

At Agapé Physical Therapy, we are committed to providing comprehensive and personalized care for individuals experiencing knee pain. Our experienced therapists offer a wide range of treatment options, including those mentioned above, to address your specific needs. We believe in a holistic approach to rehabilitation, focusing on both physical and functional outcomes.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

If you are suffering from knee pain, don't hesitate to schedule a consultation with our physical therapists at Agapé Physical Therapy. We can help you understand the root cause of your discomfort and develop a tailored treatment plan to get you back on your feet. Schedule a visit to Agapé Physical Therapy today!