How Physiotherapy Can Help Knee Pain

Understanding Knee Pain

Your knee is a highly complex joint that bears the weight of your entire body. It’s made up of bones (femur, tibia, patella), cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, all working together to provide support and movement.

Knee pain can stem from a variety of causes, including:

• Acute injuries, such as ligament tears (e.g., ACL, MCL), meniscus injuries, or patella dislocations
• Overuse injuries, like runner’s knee, ITB syndrome, or tendinopathies
• Degenerative conditions, including osteoarthritis or cartilage wear
• Biomechanical issues, such as poor alignment, muscle imbalances, or foot posture problems
• Post-surgical pain and stiffness

No matter the cause, physiotherapy plays a key role in reducing pain, restoring function, and preventing future issues.

PR Physio’s Approach to Knee Pain

At PR Physio, our treatment philosophy is based on three key pillars:

✅ Understanding the cause of your pain
✅ Creating a personalised treatment plan
✅ Empowering you to stay pain-free long-term

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

1. Thorough Assessment and Diagnosis

Every successful treatment plan starts with an accurate diagnosis. During your first appointment, we’ll take the time to:

• Review your medical history and current symptoms
• Assess your knee joint mobility, stability, and strength
• Look at your walking, running, squatting, or jumping technique
• Identify any muscle imbalances, postural issues, or movement dysfunctions
• Determine how other areas (like your hips, ankles, or feet) may be contributing

We use this detailed information to pinpoint the root cause of your knee pain, rather than just treating the symptoms.

2. Hands-On Treatment to Relieve Pain

Once we understand what’s driving your pain, our physiotherapists use a variety of manual therapy techniques to provide relief and restore movement. These may include:

• Joint mobilisations to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness
• Soft tissue massage and release techniques to ease muscle tension
• Trigger point therapy to reduce pain and referred discomfort
• Taping or bracing to support the joint and reduce load during activity
• Dry needling (if appropriate) to release deep muscle tightness and improve blood flow

This hands-on approach is especially effective in the early stages of treatment to reduce inflammation, improve joint mechanics, and make movement easier.

3. Individualised Exercise Rehab

Exercise is a cornerstone of knee rehabilitation. But not all exercises are created equal, especially when you're dealing with pain. That’s why we design a structured, progressive programme tailored specifically to your needs.

Your rehab plan may include:

• Strengthening exercises for quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves
• Mobility and flexibility work for surrounding muscles and joints
• Balance and proprioception training to improve joint stability
• Functional movement retraining, such as walking, squatting, and climbing stairs
• Sport-specific drills if you’re aiming to return to running or athletics

We carefully guide you through each stage of your recovery, adjusting your programme as your condition improves, ensuring long-term strength, stability, and confidence in your knee.

4. Education and Long-Term Management

At PR Physio, we believe that education is just as important as treatment. We make sure you understand:

• Why your pain developed in the first placeHow to avoid aggravating movements and modify your activity
• What habits and techniques will support long-term knee health
• How to manage flare-ups if they occur in the future

We’ll also offer advice on posture, footwear, workplace setup, warm-ups, recovery, and any other lifestyle factors that may affect your knee condition. Our goal is to equip you with the tools and knowledge to take control of your own recovery.

5. Preventing Recurrence

Rehabilitation doesn’t stop when the pain goes away. In fact, the most important part of physiotherapy is preventing the problem from coming back.

That’s why we provide:

• Ongoing progress reviews and reassessments
• Advanced strength and conditioning programs
• Return-to-sport and return-to-work plans
• Support with long-term goals, such as running a marathon or improving daily function

Whether you want to prevent further injury or take your performance to the next level, we’ll help you get there.

Common Knee Conditions We Treat at PR Physio

Our experienced team works with a wide range of knee issues, including:

• Anterior knee pain / Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)
• Osteoarthritis of the knee
• ACL, MCL, PCL, or LCL injuries
• Meniscal tears and post-meniscectomy rehab
• Knee bursitis or tendonitis
• ITB friction syndrome (common in runners and cyclists)
• Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
• Post-operative rehabilitation (e.g., ACL reconstruction, knee replacement)

Whatever your diagnosis, PR Physio is here to guide you through a safe, effective recovery process.

Why Choose PR Physio?

There are plenty of physiotherapy clinics out there, but at PR Physio, we go beyond the basics. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Tailored care: No generic exercise sheets. Everything we do is personalised.
• Highly trained physios: With expertise in sports injuries, post-surgical rehab, and chronic pain.
• Modern facilities: Well-equipped treatment rooms and rehab space to support your recovery.
• Clear communication: We explain every step, so you feel informed and confident.
• Ongoing support: We’re with you for the long haul, not just until the pain disappears.

Your knee is one of the most important joints in your body. Trust it to a team that prioritises function, freedom, and long-term results.

Ready to Start Your Recovery?

If you're living with knee pain, whether it's a minor annoyance or a major limitation, don’t wait for it to get worse. The sooner you start physiotherapy, the better your outcome is likely to be.

At PR Physio, we’ll help you:

✅ Understand what’s causing your pain
✅ Build strength and mobility safely
✅ Prevent future injury or surgery
✅ Return to sport, work, or daily life with confidence

Book your appointment today and let us help you get back on your feet, pain-free and stronger than ever.