Knee pain and stiffness are common complaints that can disrupt daily activities, exercise routines, and overall quality of life. Whether you’re an avid runner battling knee pain after running or someone who experiences knee stiffness behind the knee, finding effective, non-invasive solutions is crucial. This article delves into therapies designed to alleviate knee pain and stiffness, with a spotlight on dry needling for the knee and other innovative treatments.
Disclaimer: The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
Understanding Knee Pain and Stiffness
Knee pain often stems from overuse, improper movement patterns, or underlying conditions like arthritis or nerve injury in the knee. Common complaints include:
Knee pain under the patella: Often linked to issues like runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome) or cartilage wear.
Knee stiffness after running: Caused by muscle tightness, inflammation, or biomechanical imbalances.
Knee stiffness and pain: A general discomfort that may indicate ligament strain, joint degeneration, or poor circulation.
Knee stiffness behind the knee: Frequently associated with hamstring tension, Baker’s cysts, or meniscal injuries.
Muscle Imbalance and Dysfunction: This is a widely known cause, because if one muscle is not doing it's job, your body has to compensate in order to survive. However, a Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT) practitioner will be able to assess things like your jaw, eyes, diaphragm, pelvic floor, etc. It is not uncommon for neck pain to be caused by imbalance in the core musculature.
The Power of Dry Needling for the Knee
Dry needling is a highly effective therapy for addressing muscle tension, trigger points, and neuromuscular dysfunction. By inserting thin needles into specific areas of the knee and surrounding muscles, this technique:
Promotes blood flow and reduces inflammation.
Releases tight muscle bands contributing to stiffness in the knee.
Accelerates recovery from nerve injury in the knee.
Alleviates chronic knee pain and discomfort.
Patients often report significant knee pain relief after incorporating dry needling into their treatment plans, especially when dealing with issues like persistent stiffness in the knee or discomfort under the patella.
Complementary Therapies for Knee Pain and Stiffness
In addition to dry needling, several other non-invasive therapies can enhance knee health and mobility:
Cupping Therapy: This ancient practice improves circulation, relieves tension, and helps reduce inflammation around the knee joint.
Myofascial Release: Targeting the fascia, this hands-on technique can address restrictions causing knee stiffness and pain.
Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Customized routines focusing on quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles can prevent knee stiffness after running and improve overall stability.
Manual Therapy: A skilled therapist can mobilize the knee joint and surrounding tissues to restore proper function and alleviate discomfort.
Nerve Mobilization: If nerve injury in the knee is a concern, specific techniques can address irritation and improve nerve health.
Heat Therapy: Applying heat to sore areas is one of the simplest and most effective ways to ease muscle tension and stiffness. Heat increases blood flow, relaxes muscles, and reduces pain signals. Apply a moist heating pad for 15–20 minutes. Avoid excessive heat to prevent burns. NOTE that moist heating pads are the most effective. My favorite brands are Thermophore and Thermipaq
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Cold Therapy: Can help to decrease the inflammation as well as numb the area. Thermipaq has a a great cold pack that stays cold or purchase a cold massager to roll over the symptomatic area
Topical Magnesium: our muscles use magnesium to contract and relax so using it topically can decrease muscle tightness (without upsetting your stomach). My favorite is Trace Minerals products, their Magnesium Lotion has been out of stock recently, as I think they're switching to this spray. You can get 20% off with my Fullscript link, you just need to sign-up for an account but can continue to use this indefinitely
CBD can work on both nervous system level and physical level of pain, making it super effective.
Arnica is anti-inflammatory and a fantastic use for pain, strains, sprains, bruising , carpel tunnel and swelling. You can use my Fullscripts link here as well for a discount on arnica
St. John's Wort can be used for nerve pain
Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Chronic pain often involves an overactive nervous system that is constantly living in fight-or-flight. Calming the nervous system can reduce pain intensity and promote healing. Society today is terrible to our nervous systems and the vagus nerve. It was not programmed to handle the frequency and intensity of the stressors of today’s world. Improving vagus nerve dysfunction teaches your system to be flexible when faced with a stressor or “trigger” and how to accurately “read” them and respond appropriately. I have many free resources for vagus nerve activation on my site at www.releaseology.com/vagus plus book with me with my services below. I ALWAYS recommend the NKT Vagus Nerve Combo to assess where the pain is coming from and then relieve you, but if you want full vagus nerve time, book the Vagus Nerve Harmony Massage. If you don't live locally, I also offer vagus nerve services virtually.
Why Choose Releaseology for your Knee Pain?
At Releaseology, I specialize in uncovering the root cause of pain and dysfunction, providing tailored treatments that deliver fast and lasting results. My one-on-one, hands-on approach ensures you receive the personalized care you need to get back on your feet—literally. Whether it’s dry needling for the knee or other cutting-edge therapies, I'm committed to helping you find relief and reclaim your active lifestyle.
Don’t let knee pain or stiffness hold you back. Book a session today and experience the Releaseology difference!
Any of these services will include an assessment and evaluation into your knee pain or book a free consultation below
Disclaimer: The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
Medical Disclaimer
The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
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Don't forget to check out other resources on my site! You can book a session with me here, find a list of conditions I treat here, find more about me here, learn how to regulate your own vagus nerve and nervous system here and read more on my blog here. Lastly, follow me on my social channels: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok!
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