Having Knee Pain?
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
What Is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?
As defined by the Mayo Clinic, “Patellofemoral (puh-tel-o-FEM-uh-rul) pain syndrome is pain at the front of the knee, around the kneecap. The kneecap is also known as the patella. Patellofemoral pain syndrome is sometimes called runner's knee. It is more common in people who run and who play sports that involve running and jumping.” (source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20350792)
Symptoms of patellofemoral pain syndrome or runner’s knee usually are an aching, dull pain in the front of your knee and around the kneecap. Your knee may also make “popping” sounds or have a grinding sensation when walking or bending. Misalignments, prior injuries, muscle tightness, muscle weakness, and repetitive movements (i.e., jumping, running) can all cause patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Walking upstairs, squatting, climbing or any type of activity that includes bending often exacerbates this condition. This is because these activities tend to put stress directly on the knee. Even sitting for long periods of time can increase pain levels due to the extra pressure.
When the spine is in proper alignment, your body is in balance, body weight is evenly distributed on the joints, and you have complete range of motion. Pain, inflammation, and loss of mobility occur when a joint or vertebrae is out of the correct position. When this happens, the body naturally compensates by altering movement to another area or favoring one side. This creates an unevenness that throws off your equilibrium when walking or performing basic movements. Like spinal segments, extremities (shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles) can also shift out of proper alignment. If your hip, leg, or low back is misaligned, you may be more likely to develop patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Imbalanced muscles in the leg create a variance in weight distribution, putting uneven pressure on the kneecap. This causes the kneecap to eventually shift out of place. Over time, the joint will continue to break down and wear out faster than normal. If left untreated, this will lead to long term or even permanent damage to the joint.
Luckily, there is a holistic treatment option to reverse the imbalance and restore full mobility to the joint. Chiropractic adjustments and specific strengthening exercises are a highly effective and all-natural way to correct misalignments to the spine and extremities.
Prior to adjusting a patient in his Oviedo chiropractic office, Dr. Ressler first performs a very detailed examination. Every Oviedo Injury and Wellness Center patient receives specific orthopedic and neurological tests to determine the source of their pain and injury. During your initial evaluation, Dr. Ressler will inquire about your lifestyle, daily activities, and sports history. After he has thoroughly reviewed his findings, he will then customize your personalized treatment plan. Dr. Ressler believes in treating each patient with individualized care based on their specific condition. This approach is one aspect that sets Dr. Ressler apart from the many Oviedo chiropractors.
Dr. Ressler uses a specialized adjusting tool called an “activator” in his Ressler chiropractic protocol philosophy. The activator instrument is a spring-loaded device that gently moves only the misaligned joint back into proper position.
Unlike a manual adjustment, the activator is very precise and is designed to treat both the spine and extremities. The activator treatment takes only a few minutes and is incredibly effective. Patients often feel relief after one treatment. Because this method can adjust the knee, it is an ideal choice to treat patellofemoral pain syndrome. In just three to four visits to our Oviedo chiropractic office, most OIWC patients get significant improvement to their pain levels and mobility!
In addition to his innovative chiropractic technique, he also performs trigger point release. Trigger point release is a massage technique that works on soft tissues and fascia. By performing this technique on the muscles and soft tissue area around the knee, Dr. Ressler alleviates the painful tension that are sometimes referred to as a “knots.” Once the trigger points or “knots” have been released the muscle will relax and stop spasming or guarding. This will allow the kneecap to be guided back into alignment because it is no longer being held out of place by tight, tense muscles.
As part of your treatment, Dr. Ressler will give you specific exercises to strengthen and support the knee to prevent future problems. Often a simple medial quadriceps exercise is very effective and supports the knee joint.
Dr. Ressler is a top-rated chiropractor in Oviedo, FL. He goes above and beyond for his patients by delivering only the best quality of care. If you google “chiropractor Oviedo,” you will find that there are many chiropractors in Oviedo to choose from. Out of the numerous Oviedo chiropractors, Dr. Ressler doesn’t just focus on treating your pain, he believes in preventing it from returning. That is why he teaches his patients specific exercises and stretches they can do at home. This ensures that you have every opportunity to enhance your results and prevent future injuries outside of our Oviedo chiropractic office.
Don’t put up with your pain! Untreated injuries can lead to life-long or even permanent issues. Oviedo injury and Wellness Center is an Oviedo chiropractic clinic with late hours (M, W, F open until 7 pm) and same day appointments so you can get the care you need when you need it! Call 407-977-5005 or click here to schedule your appointment today!