Lower Limb CareGonstead Method

Chiropractic Care for Knee Pain

Knee pain is not always just a knee problem. Hip weakness, pelvic tilt and the lower back can all change how load reaches the knee, so we assess the whole chain, not only where it hurts.

Understanding the Condition

What Is Knee Pain?

Knee pain is pain in or around the knee joint, arising from the tibiofemoral or patellofemoral joint, the menisci, the cruciate or collateral ligaments, or the surrounding tendons and bursae. It commonly shows up as pain on stairs or when squatting, aching during or after a run, swelling, clicking, or a feeling of the knee catching. The knee is a relatively simple hinge joint between the hip and the foot, so it often feels what happens at either end: inward rotation of the thigh from weak hip abductors, a flattened foot that increases valgus stress, or an unlevel pelvis can all change how load passes through it. At Bewell's clinic opening soon in Novena, a Gonstead chiropractor observes how you stand, walk and squat, then checks the lower back, pelvis, hip, knee and foot by hand, to understand how load is reaching the knee and whether a specific, hands-only adjustment is suitable. A knee that locks, gives way, swells quickly after an injury, or turns hot and red should be seen by a registered doctor first for diagnosis.

About this page

Before you book

Prepared by the Bewell Chiropractic team.

Care at Bewell Chiropractic Novena is led by DC Michiko Liew, founder and principal chiropractor and Ambassador of the Gonstead Chiropractic Society Australia, with DC Lim C. Y. Both hold Doctor of Chiropractic qualifications and are not registered medical practitioners in Singapore.

This page is educational and not a diagnosis. Seek urgent medical care for severe weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever, or trauma.

Root Causes

What Causes Knee Pain?

Knee pain in active adults and athletes is often a loading problem rather than a structural failure. The knee sits between the hip above and the foot below, and both can change how it is loaded.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

The kneecap (patella) tracks laterally due to weak VMO or tight IT band, creating friction on the femoral cartilage. The most common knee complaint in runners and cyclists.

IT Band Syndrome

The iliotibial band becomes irritated where it crosses the outside of the knee. It is often linked with weak hip abductors and a dropping pelvis, a hip pattern that shows up as knee pain.

Meniscus Irritation or Tear

The medial or lateral meniscus absorbs load between the femur and tibia. Rotational stress — a twist, a deep squat — can cause tears ranging from minor fraying to complete bucket-handle tears.

Pelvic & Hip Dysfunction

A tilted or rotated pelvis, often alongside restricted movement in the lower back, creates a functional leg length difference that adds compressive load to one knee with every step.

Patellar Tendinopathy

Repetitive jumping and landing loads the patellar tendon beyond its capacity in basketball, volleyball, and high-rep squatting — producing a classic below-kneecap pain that worsens going down stairs.

Early Osteoarthritis

Cartilage thinning, particularly on the inner side of the knee, causes morning stiffness, pain when you first start moving, and a deep ache after activity. Diagnosis and long-term management of osteoarthritis belong with your doctor; how the hip and foot load the knee is part of what we assess.

Progression

How Knee Pain Progresses

Knee pain tends to follow a recognisable path. Looking at the whole lower limb gives a clearer picture of how load is reaching the joint at each stage.

Stage 1Mild

Reactive Pain

Pain only after specific activity, such as a long run, a heavy squat session or a football match, that settles within hours. The joint is irritated but intact. This is a good time to have the hip, pelvis and foot assessed.

Stage 2Moderate

Activity-Limiting Pain

Pain during activity that forces modification — cutting running distance, avoiding stairs. Some residual aching after exercise. The underlying loading problem is now constant, not just episodic.

Stage 3Severe

Daily Function Impacted

Pain with walking, stairs and prolonged standing, sometimes with swelling. Changes such as meniscal wear or cartilage thinning may be building up inside the joint, so a doctor's assessment is worth considering.

Stage 4Critical

Structural Failure

A complete ligament or meniscal tear, or advanced osteoarthritis with bone-on-bone contact. Care at this stage is led by an orthopaedic surgeon. After surgery, and once your surgeon agrees, chiropractic care can look at how the hip, pelvis and foot load the knee during rehabilitation.

Knee pain is often shaped by the hip and pelvis above it.

Assessing the hip, pelvis and foot alongside the knee shows how load is reaching the joint. An earlier assessment gives you a clearer picture sooner, and we will tell you if a doctor should look at your knee first.

Recognition

Do You Experience These Symptoms?

Knee pain that returns with the same activity or changes how you move is worth having assessed, together with the hip, pelvis and foot.

Pain on stairs

Aching or sharp pain descending stairs — a hallmark of patellofemoral or patellar tendon involvement

Pain during or after running

Knee pain that builds during a run or appears the following morning after activity

Swelling or warmth

Joint effusion and localised heat indicating active inflammation within the knee joint

Locking or clicking

A sensation of the knee catching, locking momentarily, or producing a palpable or audible click

Morning stiffness

Stiffness on waking that takes 15–30 minutes to ease — a hallmark of osteoarthritic changes

Visit Us

Where to find us in Singapore

Bewell offers precise, hands-only Gonstead chiropractic care at Novena Regency on Thomson Road, opening soon.

Bewell Chiropractic Novena

275 Thomson Road #01-19
Novena Regency
Singapore 307645

+65 8859 7326 Get directions

Book ahead

Opening soon in Novena

Bewell's Gonstead clinic opens soon at Novena Regency, 275 Thomson Road. WhatsApp or call +65 8859 7326 to enquire or book ahead.

WhatsApp us Find us

Bewell Chiropractic Novena · 275 Thomson Road #01-19, Novena Regency · near Novena MRT (NS20)

Frequently Asked

Common questions

They can all play a part. The hips, pelvis, lower back, feet and posture change how weight passes through the knee, so in Gonstead care we look at the whole foundation instead of only the painful knee.

Clicking can come from normal joint movement, tendon tracking, cartilage irritation or muscle imbalance. If it is painful, swollen or unstable, it should be checked.

Gentle walking can be fine if the knee feels stable and the pain is manageable. If the knee feels sharp, swollen or unstable, reduce the load and get it assessed.

A Gonstead chiropractor watches how you stand, walk and squat, then checks the lower back, pelvis, hip, knee and foot by hand to see how load is reaching the knee. If a restricted segment is found and an adjustment is suitable, it is made by hand, without machines. If the knee itself needs a medical opinion, we will suggest you see a doctor.

See a registered doctor first if the knee swelled quickly after a twist or a fall, if it locks or gives way, if it cannot take your weight, or if it is hot and red or you have a fever.

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