Joint & Knee Pain Treatment in Ortonville, MN
Helping Patients Recover From Joint, Muscle and Movement Problems
Knee and joint pain can make ordinary activities surprisingly difficult.
Walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of a vehicle, working, exercising or simply getting through a normal day can become frustrating when a joint isn't moving or functioning normally.
Joint pain can result from an injury, repetitive stress, changes in movement, muscle dysfunction or a variety of other factors.
At Big Stone Chiropractic Health Center, Dr. Chance Haugen evaluates the individual patient to determine what may be contributing to the problem and whether chiropractic care, rehabilitation, ARPwave Neuro Therapy or another approach is appropriate.
What Can Cause Joint Pain?
Joint pain can have many potential causes.
Common contributors include:
Sprains
Strains
Sports injuries
Repetitive stress
Muscle weakness
Altered movement patterns
Joint restrictions
Previous injuries
Overuse
Degenerative changes
Trauma
The location of the pain is important, but so are the circumstances surrounding it.
A knee that hurts after a twisting injury may require a different approach than a knee that has gradually become painful over several years.
Knee Pain
Why Does My Knee Hurt?
Knee pain can develop suddenly or gradually.
Common situations associated with knee pain include:
Sports injuries
Twisting injuries
Falls
Repetitive activity
Running
Squatting
Kneeling
Farm work
Previous injuries
Muscle weakness or altered movement
The knee also works closely with the hip, ankle and surrounding muscles.
For that reason, evaluating movement throughout the lower extremity can provide useful information rather than looking only at the painful area.
Knee Pain After an Injury
A sudden injury can affect multiple structures around the knee.
Depending on the injury, symptoms may involve:
Pain
Swelling
Stiffness
Reduced range of motion
Weakness
Difficulty walking
Difficulty squatting or kneeling
Some injuries require medical evaluation or imaging before rehabilitation begins.
An appropriate examination helps determine whether the problem appears suitable for conservative care or whether additional evaluation is needed.
ARPwave for Knee Injuries
ARPwave Neuro Therapy is one of the rehabilitation tools available at Big Stone Chiropractic.
For appropriate patients, ARPwave may be incorporated into a broader rehabilitation program following certain muscle, joint or sports injuries.
The goal is not simply to treat the painful spot.
Rehabilitation may also address muscle activation, movement and the ability to return to normal activities.
[Learn More About ARPwave Neuro Therapy]
Joint Pain Beyond the Knee
Joint problems can affect many areas of the body.
Big Stone Chiropractic may evaluate musculoskeletal problems involving:
Hip
Hip pain can sometimes be influenced by the hip itself or by surrounding muscles and joints.
Shoulder
Shoulder injuries can affect reaching, lifting, throwing and everyday activities.
Ankle
Ankle sprains and other injuries can affect balance, movement and the way the rest of the leg functions.
Elbow
Repetitive work, sports and other activities can contribute to elbow pain.
Wrist
Wrist and hand problems may develop following injury or repetitive use.
Spine
The joints of the neck and back can contribute to pain and movement limitations.
Joint Pain and Farm Work
Rural Work Places Unique Demands on the Body
Farmers and agricultural workers often perform repetitive physical activities throughout long workdays.
Kneeling, climbing, lifting, carrying, operating machinery and working in awkward positions can all place stress on the joints and muscles.
An injury that might be manageable during a normal workday can become much more significant when the body is expected to keep performing for long hours.
Care should take the individual's work and activity requirements into consideration.
How Big Stone Chiropractic Approaches Joint Pain
1. Understand How the Problem Started
The history of the injury can provide important information.
Dr. Haugen may consider:
Was there a specific injury?
Was there a twisting or impact?
Did symptoms develop gradually?
What activities aggravate the problem?
What activities make it feel better?
Has there been a previous injury?
Has treatment already been attempted?
2. Evaluate Movement
Depending on the problem, the evaluation may include looking at:
Range of motion
Joint movement
Muscle function
Strength
Movement patterns
Related joints and muscles
3. Determine the Appropriate Approach
Treatment depends on the individual.
Depending on the findings, care may include chiropractic treatment, rehabilitation exercises, soft-tissue techniques, ARPwave Neuro Therapy or referral for additional medical evaluation.
4. Monitor Progress
The response to treatment helps determine whether the approach should continue or be modified.
What Treatment May Be Used?
Chiropractic Care
Appropriate chiropractic care may be used when joint or musculoskeletal dysfunction is contributing to symptoms.
Rehabilitation Exercises
Exercises may help improve mobility, strength, coordination and function.
ARPwave Neuro Therapy
ARPwave may be incorporated into rehabilitation for appropriate patients dealing with certain muscle or joint injuries.
Movement Education
Patients may learn strategies to modify aggravating activities and improve movement.
Referral When Necessary
Not every joint problem is appropriate for chiropractic care. When additional medical evaluation is warranted, referral is an important part of responsible care.
When Should Joint Pain Be Evaluated?
Consider an evaluation when joint pain:
Doesn't improve
Keeps returning
Limits normal activities
Interferes with work
Prevents exercise
Causes significant stiffness
Develops after an injury
Is associated with weakness or instability
Urgent medical evaluation may be appropriate after significant trauma, with severe swelling or deformity, inability to bear weight, significant neurological symptoms or other concerning symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joint & Knee Pain
Can a chiropractor help knee pain?
Chiropractic care may be appropriate for certain musculoskeletal causes of knee pain. An evaluation helps determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate and whether additional medical evaluation is needed.
Can ARPwave help knee injuries?
ARPwave may be incorporated into rehabilitation for appropriate patients with certain muscle, joint and sports injuries.
Should I see a chiropractor after a knee injury?
It depends on the injury. Some injuries can be appropriate for conservative care, while others require medical evaluation or imaging. An examination helps determine the appropriate next step.
Can an old knee injury still cause problems?
Yes. Previous injuries can sometimes contribute to ongoing movement limitations, weakness or altered mechanics.
Can hip or ankle problems contribute to knee pain?
The hip, knee and ankle work together during movement. Problems in one area can affect movement elsewhere, although this does not mean every knee problem originates from another joint.
Does knee pain always mean there is damage?
No. Pain can have many contributing factors and does not always indicate the degree of tissue damage. An evaluation helps put symptoms into context.
Joint & Knee Pain Resources
Explore additional Big Stone Chiropractic resources:
[ARPwave for Knee Injuries]
[ARPwave for Ankle Sprains]
[Sports Injury Treatment]
[Muscle Injuries]
[Back Pain Treatment]
[Neck Pain Treatment]
Get Back to Moving
Joint pain shouldn't automatically mean giving up work, exercise or the activities that matter.
If knee or joint pain is interfering with normal activities, an evaluation can help determine what may be contributing to the problem and whether chiropractic care or rehabilitation is appropriate.
Big Stone Chiropractic Health Center
Ortonville, MN & Milbank, SD