Teenagers are constantly on the go—whether on the court, on the field, or just hanging out with friends. However, with all that activity, knee pain in teens has become a common issue. Whether it’s caused by growth spurts or the toll of repetitive motion, many teens are finding their knees taking the hit.
The good news? Chiropractic care can help holistically address knee pain, going beyond the usual ice packs and painkillers. Let’s look at how we at Bergen Chiropractic can help keep your teen active and pain-free.
3 Causes of Teenage Knee Pain
Knee pain in teens is more common than you might think, especially as they grow and become more active in sports and physical activities.
Whether due to their rapid body growth or the repetitive motion of their favorite sports, teen athletes often experience knee discomfort.
Understanding the causes behind this pain is the first step in addressing it. Let’s break down three key factors leading to knee pain in teens and how chiropractic care can help.
Growth-Related Knee Conditions
As teens grow, their bodies undergo significant changes, and sometimes, these changes can cause growing pains, especially in the knees. With increased physical activity, sports, and rapid growth spurts, certain knee conditions become more common.
Understanding these growth-related knee conditions is essential in addressing and managing discomfort.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Teens experience many changes in their bodies during growth spurts; sometimes, these changes impact the knees. One common issue we see in growing athletes is Osgood-Schlatter Disease. This condition occurs when the growth plate below the knee gets stressed from the repetitive force of sports and physical activity. Though it can sound concerning, it often resolves with time as the teen grows.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Another issue that often arises is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. This condition involves misalignment and muscle imbalances around the knee joint, leading to pain, particularly during activities like running or jumping. It’s a common issue among active teens, but the good news is that chiropractic care can help realign the body and strengthen the muscles to prevent further pain.
Overuse Injuries: The Toll of Repetitive Motion on Young Knees
Teens active in sports, especially those involving lots of jumping, running, and sudden movements, often experience overuse injuries. These injuries occur when specific movements are repeated too often without enough rest, causing muscle and joint strain. Over time, this repetitive stress can lead to severe pain and discomfort in the knees.
Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee)
Patellar Tendonitis, commonly called “Jumper’s Knee,” is one of the most common overuse injuries in active teens. It’s caused by repetitive jumping or squatting, which strains the patellar tendon, causing pain and inflammation. Whether it’s from basketball, volleyball, or soccer, the constant pressure on the knees can lead to long-term discomfort if not addressed early on.
Osteochondritis Dissecans
Another overuse injury we see in teens is Osteochondritis Dissecans. This condition occurs when microtrauma in the knee joint leads to the breakdown of cartilage. Over time, this can cause bigger issues, such as joint instability and pain. Teen athletes involved in high-impact sports are particularly vulnerable, and it’s crucial to treat this condition early to avoid long-term damage.
Sinding-Larsen-Johansson Disease
Sinding-Larsen-Johansson Disease is an overuse injury that can cause discomfort when the tendon attaching the kneecap to the shinbone becomes irritated. Teens going through growth spurts and participating in sports like basketball or soccer are often at risk. Chiropractic care can help alleviate the discomfort and prevent it from becoming a more serious issue.
Overuse injuries can significantly impact a teen’s ability to stay active and enjoy sports. The repetitive motions involved in jumping, running, or sudden directional changes can lead to painful conditions like Patellar Tendonitis and Osteochondritis Dissecans. If left untreated, these injuries can sideline young athletes for extended periods.
Role of Biomechanics in Knee Pain
A lot of knee pain in teens can be linked to biomechanics—how the body moves and the alignment of muscles and joints. When there’s a muscle imbalance or poor posture, it can put extra strain on the knee joint.
The connection between the spine, hips, and knee function is crucial, and if one part of the body isn’t working properly, it can lead to more stress on the knees. Plus, poor movement patterns like improper jumping form or misalignment during sports can increase the risk of injury.
How Muscle Imbalances Strain the Knee Joint
When muscles aren’t balanced, it can lead to uneven stress on the knee joint. For example, if the quadriceps are too tight or the hamstrings are weak, the forces on the knee can become uneven during activities like running, jumping, or even walking.
This imbalance can lead to increased wear on certain knee joint parts, causing pain, inflammation, and even injury over time. Chiropractic care helps correct muscle imbalances by realigning the body, releasing tight muscles, and strengthening weaker areas, ensuring the knee joint moves more evenly and efficiently.
The Connection Between Spine, Hips, and Knee Function
The knee doesn’t function in isolation—it’s directly connected to the spine and hips. If there’s an issue with spinal alignment or poor hip function, it can affect how the knees perform. For example, misalignment in the spine can cause compensations in how we move, which places extra strain on the knees.
Similarly, if the hips aren’t functioning correctly, it can alter the way the knees bend and absorb impact during sports activities. Chiropractic care works to align the spine and improve hip function, supporting proper knee mechanics and reducing the risk of knee pain or injury.
Why Poor Movement Patterns Increase Injury Risk
Improper movement patterns—like incorrect jumping form or poor posture during sports—can lead to knee pain and increase the risk of injury. For example, landing with the knees turned inward or not bending the knees properly while jumping places additional stress on the knee joint.
Over time, these poor movement habits can lead to chronic pain and increase the likelihood of injury. Chiropractic adjustments focus on realigning the body and teaching proper movement patterns, helping reduce knee stress and ensuring they stay healthy and functional.
4 Chiropractic Solutions for Teenage Knee Pain
Dealing with knee pain can be frustrating for any teen, especially when it’s keeping them from staying active or enjoying their favorite sports.
While ice packs and rest are often the go-to solutions, chiropractic care offers a more holistic approach to alleviating pain and addressing the underlying causes. Let’s take a look at four key solutions we use to tackle knee pain in teens and help them stay active and healthy.
Restoring Alignment
One of the first things we do is assess and restore proper alignment. Everything moves more efficiently when the spine and lower body are in the right position. This can help reduce the strain on the knees and relieve pain caused by misalignment.
Soft Tissue Therapy
Muscles and ligaments can become tight or overstressed, which is why soft tissue therapy is essential. We use gentle techniques to release tension in the muscles surrounding the knee, which helps promote healing and reduces discomfort.
Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
For more targeted therapy, we may use instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. This technique helps break up scar tissue and improves blood flow to the area, speeding up recovery and reducing pain.
Rehabilitative Exercises
We’ll also guide your teen through specific exercises designed to strengthen the muscles around the knee. These exercises help correct muscle imbalances, reducing the risk of future injuries. Stronger muscles also better support the knee, making your teen less likely to suffer from pain or overuse injuries.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment we offer to help stimulate healing in the knee. It’s particularly useful for chronic conditions like tendonitis, helping to reduce pain and accelerate recovery.
Bergen Chiropractic Helps Your Teen Stay Active and Pain-Free!
This comprehensive article explores how chiropractic care offers a multifaceted approach to treating knee pain in teens, going beyond traditional remedies to address root causes, improve overall musculoskeletal health, and provide long-term benefits for adolescent patients.
The chiropractic team at Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center adheres to the highest medical standards to provide superior chiropractic care. Our mission is to provide unparalleled patient care in a comfortable, healing atmosphere.
Access our contact form or call us at (201) 357-6539 to learn more about our chiropractic care services! Our offices at 532 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park, NJ 07010, and 62 Summit Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601, are ready to welcome you as we proudly serve the areas of New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, PA, and Baltimore, MD. Also, access our blog, Facebook, and Instagram pages for more information on chiropractic care for knee pain!
