That
pain in your knee is often what doctors call patellofemoral
pain syndrome (PFPS). Simple activities such as running, jumping,
or going up and down stairs can contribute to knee pain, which
means that most of us will eventually suffer from some form
of PFPS.
It has been suggested that PFPS can be relieved by sufficient
stretching and lengthening of tight structures around the
patella (the kneecap). A study in the Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal
System investigated this potential intervention in 30
patients with PFPS.
Patients were divided into two groups: The first group received
"patella mobilization" (extension of the knee with
pressure and movement applied for 10 minutes, followed by
patellar adjustment in the direction of restricted movement);
the second group received detuned ultrasound as placebo (five
minutes of ultrasound, but with the intensity set at zero).
Patients receiving mobilization had positive improvements
in PFPS symptoms compared with the placebo group. The authors
note that this type of conservative care may be useful when
combined with other treatment options such as exercise, orthotics
and activity modification. If you're suffering from knee pain
and would like to know more about nonsurgical approaches to
relieving your pain, contact your doctor of chiropractic.
Reference:
Rowlands BW, Brantingham JW. The efficacy of patella mobilization
in patients suffering from patellofemoral pain syndrome. Journal
of the Neuromusculoskeletal System 1999: Vol. 7, No. 4,
pp142-49.
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