Knee Pain

Knee pain is a common musculoskeletal problem. The good news is that it is highly responsive to conservative treatment. The bad news is that problems in the knee can cause skeletal misalignments further up the body, including in the lower back. As a holistic practice, we at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield offer a variety of treatments to help patients recover full use of their knees and keep up the health of the rest of their bodies.

The kneecap is a sesamoid bone, which means it doesn’t directly connect to the rest of the skeleton. It is located atop cartilage at the bottom of the femur and is fastened down by tendons. Knee pain is scientifically known as petellofemoral pain syndrome and it is experienced as a dull ache that develops when a person has been active or had their knee bent for a long time. It results from overuse, but athletes are not the only people who can get it. When the kneecap is out of place, it may further aggravate the surrounding soft tissue.

People experiencing outbreaks of knee pain should implement RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, elevation). We can perform adjustments to ensure that the knee joint is aligned properly, but physical therapy may be necessary to restore the leg’s range of motion. We can also reduce inflammation and speed recovery time by performing therapeutic massages. A patient may need to put greater emphasis on low-impact exercises, such as cycling, to guard against a relapse.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.

 

Introduction to Osteoarthritis

Joint inflammation, or arthritis, can have all sorts of causes. But the most common, and one of the most common causes of pain and missed workdays in the United States, is osteoarthritis. This disease is often misunderstood to be a normal part of aging, but at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we can help patients to manage or prevent it, allowing them to live free of pain.

Within joints is a slippery substance called cartilage that cushions and lubricates bones. Cartilage is made up of protein called collagen. When the body’s wear on cartilage outpaces its ability to produce new collagen, the cartilage will become deformed and eroded. As cartilage recedes, the bones develop spurs, grind against each other, and flake off. All of these can trigger inflammation, which will put pressure on the surrounding tissues, causing a dull, throbbing pain, and further impede movement.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition. It will be worse when the joints are bearing an excess amount of weight and being used repetitively, and it is likelier to develop in joints that have recovered from a previous injury. We can realign joints and relieve pressure on cartilage by performing adjustments. Therapeutic massages can reduce inflammation and promote the circulation of fresh, nutrient rich blood. We can also use interferential current therapy to loosen up stiff joints, increasing their range of motion during therapeutic exercise.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.