Conditions We Treat
Knee Pain Treatment in Seattle
From runner's knee to arthritis, most knee pain has a mechanical cause. We find it, treat it, and build the strength to keep it from coming back.
Common Causes
Why Knees Hurt
Seattle is a city of runners, hikers, cyclists, and rec-league athletes, and knees take the load for all of it. These are the patterns we see most.
Runner's Knee (Patellofemoral Pain)
Aching around or behind the kneecap that flares with running, stairs, or long sitting. Common in Green Lake and Burke-Gilman runners.
IT Band Syndrome
Sharp pain on the outside of the knee from a tight, overloaded iliotibial band, often tied to hip weakness and training volume.
Knee Arthritis
Wear-related joint changes causing stiffness, swelling, and pain that is usually worst in the morning or after activity.
Sports Injuries
Sprains, meniscus irritation, and overuse injuries from soccer, basketball, skiing, hiking, and weekend competition.
Patellar & Quad Tendinopathy
Jumper's knee and related tendon overload at the front of the knee, common in jumping and cutting sports.
Alignment & Gait Issues
Hip, ankle, and foot mechanics that overload one part of the knee with every step, a frequent hidden driver of chronic pain.
Treatment
Non-Surgical Knee Pain Care
Our plans combine sports rehab, sports massage, and red light therapy under one roof, no referrals needed.
Sports Rehabilitation
Progressive strengthening of the quads, glutes, and hips with movement retraining, designed to address why the knee is overloaded, not just where it hurts.
Chiropractic Assessment
Evaluation of gait, pelvic alignment, and how the hips and ankles load the knee, with joint work where restricted motion is contributing.
Sports Massage
Targeted soft tissue work for the quads, IT band region, hamstrings, and calves, intended to ease the muscle tension pulling on the joint.
Red Light Therapy
Whole-body photobiomodulation that may help with joint discomfort and recovery. Ask about our arthritis and joint program.
Load Management Coaching
Practical guidance on training volume, footwear, and activity modification so you can keep moving while the knee calms down.
A Non-Surgical First Step
Conservative care is a reasonable starting point for most knee pain. If imaging or an orthopedic referral is warranted, we coordinate it.
Related Conditions
Knee pain rarely starts and ends at the knee. Weak or restricted hips are one of the most common drivers, so if your pain travels up the outside of the thigh or into the groin, read about our approach to hip pain treatment. And because gait compensation can irritate the spine over time, patients limping on a bad knee often develop back pain as well.
FAQ
Knee Pain Questions, Answered
Can knee pain be treated without surgery?
Often, yes. Most common causes of knee pain, including runner's knee, IT band syndrome, tendinopathy, and mild to moderate arthritis, are typically managed conservatively first. A structured plan of rehab exercise, hands-on treatment, and activity modification may help reduce pain and restore function. When a case does need imaging or a surgical opinion, we refer promptly.
Why do you look at my hips and feet for knee pain?
The knee is a hinge caught between the hip and the ankle. Weak hip stabilizers, restricted ankle motion, or gait quirks can overload one compartment of the knee thousands of steps a day. Treating only the painful spot often misses the mechanical cause, so our assessment covers the whole lower chain.
Does red light therapy help knee arthritis?
Research on photobiomodulation suggests it may help with joint discomfort and stiffness for some people, and it is non-invasive with a strong safety profile. At MindBody Med it is used as a complement to rehab and hands-on care, not a replacement. Our team can tell you honestly whether it fits your situation.
What does the first visit for knee pain include?
Your first visit is a $149 evaluation plus first treatment. We assess your knee, hip, and ankle mechanics, watch how you move, identify the likely pain generator, and start treatment the same day, whether that is rehab exercise, hands-on work, or both.
Get Back on the Trail
New patient evaluation + first treatment for $149. Most insurance accepted.