Knee Pain Treatment in South Lake Tahoe
Knee pain care in South Lake Tahoe, CA. Our chiropractors assess how your hips, knees, and feet move together and build a gentle, drug-free plan for you.
Chiropractic care for knee pain
A whole-body look at your knee pain
Also known as: Knee Joint Pain, Runner's Knee, Patellofemoral Pain
Knee pain is often more than just a knee problem. The hip, knee, and foot work together as one kinetic chain, and when alignment or movement breaks down anywhere in that chain, the knee can take on extra load. At Tahoe Chiropractic Clinic in South Lake Tahoe, our chiropractors look at your whole movement pattern, help identify what's contributing to your pain, and build a gentle, drug-free plan to help you get back to hiking, skiing, climbing stairs, and the activities you love.
Symptoms of knee pain
- ✓Pain around or under the kneecap during activity
- ✓Pain with stairs, squatting, or getting up from a chair
- ✓Stiffness after sitting for long periods or first thing in the morning
- ✓Swelling or warmth around the knee joint
- ✓A clicking, grinding, or popping sensation with movement
- ✓A feeling that the knee may give way or buckle
- ✓Aching that worsens when running, hiking, skiing, or standing for long periods
Common causes
- Overuse and runner's knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome)
- Hip or foot mechanics that shift load onto the knee
- Muscle imbalances, such as weak glutes, tight hip flexors, or weak quads
- Osteoarthritis or wear and tear in the joint
- Old injuries, ligament sprains, or meniscus damage
- Sports and repetitive-motion activities, including skiing and downhill hiking
- Flat feet or gait patterns that stress the knee from below
Our approach
How we treat knee pain in South Lake Tahoe
- Step 1
Movement & alignment exam
We assess your posture, gait, hip strength, and foot mechanics, not just the knee itself, to understand which link in the chain may be contributing to the problem.
- Step 2
A personalized plan
We explain what we found in plain language and recommend a care plan built around your goals, whether that's walking comfortably or getting back on the trails.
- Step 3
Adjustments & home exercises
Gentle chiropractic adjustments and joint mobilization are paired with targeted exercises you can do at home to support healthy movement, balance the muscles around the knee, and build strength.
The basics
Understanding knee pain
The knee is the largest joint in the body and one of the most commonly injured. What makes knee pain tricky is that the knee is often the victim, not the culprit. It sits in the middle of a mechanical chain that runs from your hips through your feet, and when anything above or below moves poorly, such as a stiff hip, weak glutes, a flat foot, or an overpronating ankle, the knee can absorb the extra load.
That's why focusing only on the knee can miss part of the picture. Runner's knee, patellofemoral pain, and repetitive overuse injuries are often linked to a movement or alignment pattern elsewhere in the chain, which matters whether you're running, hiking downhill, or spending a day on the slopes. At Tahoe Chiropractic Clinic, we assess the whole system, not just the joint that hurts. When contributing mechanics are addressed through chiropractic care and targeted home exercises, many people find meaningful improvement without medication or surgery.
New Patient Special
$47
Your first visit, all included. New patients welcome at Tahoe Chiropractic Clinic.
- Consultation
- Complete Chiropractic Exam
- First Adjustment
When to see a chiropractor in South Lake Tahoe
Knee pain often benefits from early attention, since problems that start as muscle imbalances or movement issues can become more stubborn over time. Consider scheduling an exam if you notice:
- Knee pain that lasts more than a week or keeps returning after activity
- Pain or stiffness with stairs, squatting, running, or sitting for long periods
- Swelling, warmth, or clicking that wasn’t there before
- Pain that has you changing how you walk or favoring one leg
- Knee discomfort that limits your training, work, time on the trails, or everyday activities
Important: if your knee locked up suddenly, gave way after a significant impact, or you heard or felt a pop during a fall or collision (on the slopes or anywhere else), please seek prompt evaluation. These can be signs of a ligament or meniscus injury that may need orthopedic care. Our exam includes screening for these signs, and we refer when appropriate.
During your exam at our South Lake Tahoe office, our chiropractors review your history, assess hip and ankle mechanics, and test knee stability and alignment. You’ll leave with a clearer picture of what’s happening and a plan for next steps.
Types of knee pain we treat
“Knee pain” covers a wide range of problems, and the right care depends on what’s contributing to it. Patients from across the South Shore come to us for help with:
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee): pain around or behind the kneecap, often linked to kneecap tracking, weak glutes, tight IT bands, or foot mechanics.
- IT band syndrome: outer knee pain common in runners and cyclists, often related to hip weakness and gait patterns that targeted exercise may help address.
- Knee osteoarthritis: wear and tear that may respond to gentle mobilization, home exercises, and smart activity pacing to help you stay active.
- Sports and overuse injuries: minor sprains, meniscus irritation, and repetitive-strain aches from skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and running that may benefit from early, conservative care.
- Biomechanical knee pain: pain linked to hip weakness, foot pronation, or sciatica-related nerve tension changing how you load the joint.
Your exam helps us understand which type you’re dealing with, so your plan is built around you, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
What to expect at your first visit
Your first appointment is all about understanding your knee before we begin care. We’ll:
- Listen to your story: when the pain started, what aggravates it, your activity level, and how it’s affecting your daily life.
- Assess the full chain: posture, gait, hip strength, and foot mechanics alongside knee stability and alignment testing, so we can see which links may be contributing to the overload.
- Explain what we found: in plain language, with a personalized care plan and clear goals so you can track your progress.
- Start care when appropriate: when it’s a good fit for you, your first visit can include your first adjustment and some home exercise guidance.
You’ll leave your first visit with a better understanding of what’s going on and what we recommend, and the choice of how to move forward is always yours.
A drug-free approach to knee pain
Pain medication can dull knee pain for a while, and surgery is a major step that’s rarely the right first move for mechanical knee pain. Chiropractic care offers another path: look at the movement patterns that may be contributing, support healthy joint motion, and strengthen the supporting muscles, without drugs or downtime. Our care and home exercise guidance are built around your movement pattern, not a generic protocol, with the goal of helping you get back to hiking, skiing, squatting, and the activities you love. If your exam suggests you need imaging or an orthopedic consultation, we’ll tell you honestly and point you in the right direction.
Why South Shore families choose Tahoe Chiropractic Clinic
At Tahoe Chiropractic Clinic, we look beyond individual symptoms to the bigger picture of movement, lifestyle, and overall well-being. Instead of looking at the knee in isolation, our chiropractors evaluate your full movement pattern to understand how your hips, knees, and feet are working together. Dr. Emma Freeze and Dr. Joel Mackes both hold bachelor’s degrees in kinesiology, the study of human movement.
From there, our chiropractic care and home exercise guidance are designed around your movement. If hip weakness is part of the problem, we address the hip. If the issue runs from the hip down through the knee, we look at the whole chain. We explain every recommendation clearly and help you take an active role in your health, because we believe care should help you keep doing what you love.
Ready to get started? Check out our New Patient Special, then call our office at (530) 541-5660 or request an appointment.
Why choose chiropractic
Chiropractic care vs. the typical knee-pain routine
| Comparison factor | Chiropractic Care | Pain Meds & Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Looks for contributing factors | ✓Assesses movement & alignment | Medication eases symptoms; surgery is reserved for structural damage |
| Drug-free & non-invasive | ✓Always | No |
| Risk of side effects | ✓Generally low | Can be higher (meds, surgery) |
| Whole-chain assessment | ✓Hip, knee, and foot evaluated | May focus on the knee itself |
| Supports strength around the knee | ✓Home exercise guidance | Not always addressed |
| Typical approach | ✓Active & gradual | Rest, meds, or procedures |
Treatment options
Services that may help with knee pain
Related conditions
Other conditions we treat in South Lake Tahoe
Patient reviews
What our South Lake Tahoe patients say
“Most amazing experience! I was in a lot of pain and in fear of doctors but when I walked in I felt at home. The energy was amazing ,anybody come visit.”
“La atención del doctor y el resto de personal es maravillosa, son muy atentos. Los recomiendo !”
“Dr Joel and staff were very helpful, thorough, and friendly! Extremely reasonable price for new patient walk in and felt very light and adjusted after the session. Highly recommend to everyone looking for an exceptional chiropractic visit!”
What causes knee pain?+
Much knee pain is biomechanical, related to how the hip, knee, and foot move together. Overuse, muscle imbalances (especially weak glutes or tight hip flexors), alignment, old injuries, and arthritis are common contributors. Our exam looks at which factors may be loading your knee so your care can be targeted.
How can I relieve knee pain at home?+
Gentle movement, ice for recent swelling, and light strengthening of the glutes and quadriceps often help in the short term. Avoid prolonged rest, since the surrounding muscles can weaken quickly. If pain lasts more than a week, keeps coming back, or limits your daily activities, schedule an exam so we can look at what's behind it.
Can a chiropractor help knee pain?+
It may, for many types of knee pain. Chiropractors are trained to assess the full kinetic chain, including hip mobility, knee tracking, and foot mechanics. Chiropractic adjustments, joint mobilization, and home exercise guidance may help ease knee pain without drugs or surgery.
Why does my knee hurt when I run or hike downhill?+
Runner's knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome) is pain around or behind the kneecap, often linked to how the kneecap tracks, weak glutes, tight IT bands, or overpronation at the foot. Downhill hiking and skiing load the front of the knee heavily, which can make it worse. We assess these factors and build a plan around your movement to help you get back to running and hiking more comfortably.
When should I see a chiropractor instead of a surgeon for my knee?+
Conservative care is a reasonable first step for many types of knee pain, especially overuse injuries, muscle imbalances, and early arthritis. If your exam suggests a significant ligament or meniscus tear, locking, or instability that points to structural damage, we'll refer you to the appropriate specialist rather than treating through it.
How many visits will I need?+
It depends on what's contributing to your pain, how long you've had it, and your goals. After your exam, our chiropractors will explain what they found and recommend a plan, then check your progress along the way so your care can be adjusted as you improve.
Do you help runners, skiers, and active people with knee pain?+
Yes. Knee pain is common among runners, hikers, cyclists, skiers, and snowboarders. Our athlete care looks at the movement patterns and training load that can contribute to overuse knee pain, so you can stay active around Lake Tahoe year-round.
Is chiropractic safe for knee arthritis?+
Chiropractic care is generally considered safe for many people with knee arthritis when it's appropriate for their condition. Gentle mobilization and home exercises may help manage the pain and stiffness of mild to moderate knee arthritis and reduce strain on other joints. We screen carefully and will recommend an orthopedic consultation when arthritis appears advanced.
Do I need imaging before my first visit?+
Usually not. We screen for red flags and assess your movement on your first visit. If the findings suggest imaging would change your care, such as a suspected fracture or significant structural injury, we'll explain why and refer you.
Do you see patients from Stateline, Zephyr Cove, or Meyers?+
Yes. Our office is on Harrison Ave in South Lake Tahoe, and we welcome patients from across the South Shore, including Meyers, Stateline, Kingsbury, and Zephyr Cove, as well as Minden, Gardnerville, and Carson City.