Condition Treatment
Knee Pain Treatment Grand Rapids
Get lasting relief from knee pain at The Chiropractic Doctors. Our team finds the root cause of your pain and builds a treatment plan that gets you moving again, without surgery or long-term medication.
New Patient Special
$47
Consultation, Exam & X-rays
Available for new patients only. We will confirm within 1 business hour.
Understanding Knee Pain
What Causes Knee Pain?
The knee is one of the most complex joints in your body. It bears your full weight with every step, absorbs impact when you walk or run, and rotates slightly during everyday movements like climbing stairs or getting in and out of a car. Because the knee sits between two long lever arms (the thigh bone and the shin bone), even small alignment problems in your hips, pelvis, or ankles can create serious stress on the knee joint over time.
Common causes of knee pain include ligament sprains, meniscus tears, patellofemoral syndrome (runner's knee), tendonitis, bursitis, and osteoarthritis. Many Grand Rapids patients come to our office after weeks or months of pain that started without a clear injury. In those cases, the source is often a biomechanical imbalance somewhere else in the lower body. A pelvic tilt, a tight IT band, or a flat foot can all redirect force into the knee and wear down cartilage or irritate soft tissues.
People who sit at a desk all day, weekend athletes, and older adults are all at higher risk for knee problems. Active families in Cascade, Forest Hills, and Ada frequently deal with knee pain from sports, hiking, and everyday wear and tear. At The Chiropractic Doctors, we look at the whole kinetic chain, not just the knee itself, to find the true source of your pain.
Chiropractic Approach
How Chiropractic Care Helps Knee Pain
Most people think of chiropractic as a treatment for back and neck pain, but the same principles apply to the knees. When your spine and pelvis are properly aligned, your body distributes weight evenly across both legs and both knees. When alignment is off, one knee can absorb significantly more force than the other. Over weeks and months, that uneven load causes inflammation, cartilage breakdown, and pain.
Dr. Matthew Phinney, a Palmer College of Chiropractic graduate with over 35 years of experience, takes a full-body approach to knee pain. Your first visit starts with a detailed exam that includes posture analysis, range of motion testing, and digital X-rays when needed. If your pelvis is rotated or one leg appears functionally shorter than the other, those findings guide the treatment plan. Correcting the alignment above the knee often produces faster and longer-lasting results than treating the knee in isolation.
Patients throughout Grand Rapids, Kentwood, and Wyoming have found relief from chronic knee pain through this approach. One of our patients, Beth Strundlund, shared her experience: “After 2 weeks of treatments, my chronic knee pain is beginning to dissipate.” Results like this are common when the true cause of knee pain is addressed rather than just the symptoms.
Your Treatment Options
Treatment Options for Knee Pain at Our Grand Rapids Office
At The Chiropractic Doctors, we combine several therapies to give you the best results. Your treatment plan may include one or more of the following, depending on what your exam reveals.
Chiropractic adjustments correct misalignments in the spine, pelvis, hips, and even the knee joint itself. When joints move properly, pressure on nerves and soft tissues decreases and the body can begin to heal. Dr. Phinney, Dr. Bailey, and Dr. Papes use both Thompson Drop Table and Diversified techniques to restore alignment with precision.
Class IV laser therapy delivers concentrated light energy deep into the tissues around the knee. The laser increases blood flow, reduces inflammation, and speeds up cell repair. It is especially effective for tendonitis, bursitis, and early-stage arthritis in the knee. Sessions take about 10 to 15 minutes and most patients feel a warm, soothing sensation during treatment. Learn more about our Class IV laser therapy program.
Rehabilitation exercises strengthen the muscles that support your knee, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip stabilizers. Weak or tight muscles are one of the most common contributors to chronic knee problems. Our rehabilitation program gives you specific exercises to do at home and in our office so you can maintain your progress between visits.
If your knee pain is related to arthritis, we also offer specialized arthritis treatment that combines adjustments with laser therapy to slow progression and manage pain without drugs.
When to Get Help
When to See a Chiropractor for Knee Pain
You do not need to wait until knee pain becomes severe before getting help. In fact, early treatment usually leads to faster recovery and better long-term outcomes. If your knee pain has lasted more than a few days, if it keeps coming back after rest, or if it is limiting your ability to walk, climb stairs, or exercise, it is time to schedule an exam.
Other signs that you should see a chiropractor include swelling that does not go away, a feeling of instability or giving way in the knee, grinding or popping sensations during movement, and pain that wakes you up at night. These symptoms suggest a structural or biomechanical problem that will not resolve on its own with rest alone.
Our Grand Rapids office on 28th Street SE serves patients from across the area, including Cascade, Kentwood, Forest Hills, Ada, and Wyoming. New patient consultations are $47 and include a thorough exam, posture analysis, and X-rays if needed. Call (616) 432-3103 to book your visit or use the form on this page to request an appointment online.
Common Questions
Knee Pain Treatment FAQ
Can a chiropractor help with knee pain?
Yes. Chiropractors assess the alignment of your spine, hips, and lower extremities to find imbalances that put extra stress on the knee joint. Correcting those imbalances reduces pain and helps the knee heal. Dr. Phinney and our team at The Chiropractic Doctors in Grand Rapids treat knee pain regularly with adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, and Class IV laser therapy.
What causes knee pain without an obvious injury?
Many cases of knee pain develop gradually from poor hip or ankle alignment, muscle imbalances, or wear and tear on the cartilage. Pelvic misalignment can shift how your weight distributes across the knee, creating irritation over time. A full biomechanical exam at our Grand Rapids office can pinpoint the source even when there is no clear injury event.
How long does chiropractic knee pain treatment take to work?
Most patients notice improvement within the first two to four weeks of care. The exact timeline depends on how long the problem has been present and the severity of the underlying cause. Acute injuries tend to respond faster than chronic conditions. Your doctor will outline a clear treatment plan after your initial $47 consultation.
Is knee pain treatment covered by insurance?
Most major insurance plans cover chiropractic care for knee pain, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Healthcare, Priority Health, and Medicare. Call our office at (616) 432-3103 and we will verify your benefits before your first visit.
Should I use ice or heat on my knee pain?
Ice is usually best for the first 48 to 72 hours after a flare-up because it reduces swelling. After the initial inflammation calms down, gentle heat can help relax tight muscles around the knee. Your chiropractor at The Chiropractic Doctors will give you specific home care instructions based on your condition.
Ready to Fix Your Knee Pain?
Stop letting knee pain control your day. Schedule your $47 new patient consultation at The Chiropractic Doctors and take the first step toward lasting relief.
The Chiropractic Doctors
5747 28th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Mon, Wed, Thu: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Tue: 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Fri: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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