Knee Pain in Brentwood Bay: Causes, Treatment & When to See a Chiropractor

Knee pain is one of the most common reasons people on the Saanich Peninsula stop doing what they love. It might be a sharp pain at the front of the knee on the way down Mount Work, an ache on the outside of the knee halfway through a Lochside Trail ride, or stiffness that makes the first few steps of the morning hard work.

The knee is a hinge that sits between the hip and the foot, so it often takes the blame for problems that start somewhere else. Two people with pain in the same spot can need completely different treatment, which is why an accurate diagnosis matters more than any single exercise or brace.

This guide covers how the knee works, the most common causes of knee pain we see at Brentwood Chiropractic Group, how our team treats them, and when knee pain needs urgent medical attention. If you're ready to get it assessed, you can book online here or call 250-223-0200.

Understanding Knee Pain: Why Diagnosis Matters

The knee joint is where the thigh bone (femur) meets the shin bone (tibia), with the kneecap (patella) gliding in a groove at the front. Four main ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL and LCL) hold it together, two C-shaped cartilage pads called menisci absorb load, and powerful tendons from the quadriceps and hamstrings control every step, squat and stair.

Where you feel the pain gives us useful clues. Front-of-knee pain often points to the kneecap or patellar tendon, outside-knee pain to the IT band or lateral meniscus, and inside-knee pain to the MCL, medial meniscus or early arthritis. But the knee also responds to what the hip, ankle and foot are doing, and pain can be referred from the hip or lower back.

That's why we assess the whole chain, not just the sore spot. Treating a kneecap problem with rest alone, when the real driver is weak hip muscles or a foot that collapses inward, often means months of the pain coming back as soon as activity resumes.

Common Causes of Knee Pain

1. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)

Patellofemoral pain is a dull ache around or behind the kneecap that's worse with stairs, squatting, running downhill or sitting for a long time with the knees bent. It's one of the most common knee complaints in runners, hikers and teenagers going through growth spurts.

It's usually a load problem rather than damage: the kneecap is tracking under more stress than the tissues can handle, often because of hip weakness, tight quads, a sudden jump in training or foot mechanics. Our running injury prevention tips cover the training side.

2. IT Band Syndrome

IT band syndrome causes sharp or burning pain on the outside of the knee, typically starting at a predictable point in a run or ride and worsening the longer you keep going. Downhill running and long cycling sessions are classic triggers.

The IT band itself doesn't stretch much, so the fix is usually in the hip: improving glute strength and control, adjusting training volume and, for cyclists, checking bike fit. Our cycling injury prevention guide has more on setup and training.

3. Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee)

Patellar tendinopathy causes pain just below the kneecap, where the tendon attaches to the shin. It tends to hurt at the start of activity, settle as you warm up, then flare afterwards or the next morning. It's common in jumping and court sports, volleyball, basketball and running.

Tendons respond to progressive loading, not rest. Complete rest weakens the tendon further, so the best results come from a structured strengthening program, often combined with shockwave therapy for stubborn cases.

4. Meniscus Tears

A meniscus tear can happen suddenly with a twist on a bent knee (common in soccer, hockey and skiing) or gradually through age-related wear. Symptoms include pain along the joint line, swelling, a catching or clicking sensation and, sometimes, the knee locking.

Many meniscus tears, particularly degenerative ones, do well with conservative care and don't need surgery. Read more in our post on understanding meniscus injuries.

5. Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the gradual thinning of the cartilage lining the joint. It typically causes stiffness after rest, pain with longer walks or stairs, and sometimes swelling or grinding. It's very common after 50 and in people with a previous knee injury.

Arthritis on an X-ray doesn't automatically mean pain or a future knee replacement. Strength training, weight management, joint mobility work and activity modification are the first-line treatments recommended in clinical guidelines, and many people stay active for years with the right plan. Our post on chiropractic care for seniors explains how we adapt treatment for older patients.

6. Ligament Sprains (MCL and ACL)

Ligament injuries usually happen with a specific moment: a blow to the side of the knee, a sudden pivot or an awkward landing. MCL sprains cause pain and tenderness on the inside of the knee; ACL injuries often involve a pop, rapid swelling and a feeling that the knee gives way.

Most MCL sprains heal well with guided rehab. Suspected ACL tears need proper assessment and often imaging and a referral, and we coordinate that when needed while starting early rehab to protect strength and range of motion.

7. Pain Referred from the Hip or Lower Back

Not all knee pain starts in the knee. Hip joint problems commonly refer pain to the front of the thigh and knee (particularly in children and in adults with hip arthritis), and irritation of the L3 or L4 nerve roots in the lower back can cause knee pain with little or no back pain.

Clues include knee pain that doesn't change with knee movement, pain with hip rotation, or numbness and tingling down the leg. If this sounds familiar, our guides to lower back pain and sciatica are worth a read.

How We Treat Knee Pain at Brentwood Chiropractic Group

Because knee pain has so many possible drivers, our plans combine hands-on care with active rehab. Having chiropractors, an athletic therapist, registered massage therapists, an osteopath, acupuncture and shockwave therapy in one clinic means we can match treatment to the actual cause.

Chiropractic Adjustment and Joint Mobilization

Restoring movement in the knee, kneecap, ankle, hip and lower back helps the whole leg share load properly. Our chiropractors use specific adjustments and gentle mobilization techniques, adapted to your age, comfort and diagnosis.

Active Release Technique (ART) and Graston

Tight quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, hip flexors and the tissues around the IT band all change how the knee loads. ART and instrument-assisted techniques like Graston release these restrictions so your rehab exercises can do their job.

Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

For persistent tendon problems like patellar tendinopathy, and for some cases of IT band pain, shockwave therapy stimulates the body's healing response in tissue that has stalled. We're one of the few clinics on the Saanich Peninsula offering it, and it works best combined with a loading program.

Exercise Rehabilitation

Exercise is the most important part of almost every knee plan. We prescribe specific strengthening for the quads, glutes and calves, balance and control work, and a gradual return to running, hiking or sport, progressed as the knee tolerates more load.

Athletic Therapy

Our athletic therapists specialize in sport and active-living injuries, from ligament sprains to post-surgical rehab. They build return-to-sport programs and can help with bracing and taping. Learn more about combining athletic therapy and chiropractic care.

Osteopathy

Our osteopath takes a whole-body approach, working through the pelvis, hip, knee and foot to address the compensations that keep knee pain going. It suits patients who prefer gentle techniques or have pain linked to the hip or lower back.

Registered Massage Therapy

Massage helps relieve tight, overworked muscles around the knee and hip, especially during training blocks or while you're building back up. See our registered massage therapy page for more.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has research support for reducing pain in knee osteoarthritis and can help settle a painful knee enough to make exercise possible. Learn more about acupuncture at our clinic.

When Should You See a Chiropractor for Knee Pain?

Consider booking an assessment if you notice any of the following:

• Knee pain that has lasted more than a week or two, or keeps coming back

• Pain with stairs, squatting, kneeling or getting up from a chair

• Pain that starts at the same point in every run, ride or hike

• Pain below the kneecap that hurts at the start of activity and after it

• Clicking or catching along with pain or swelling

• Stiffness in the morning or after sitting

• Knee pain along with hip, back or foot problems

• Getting back to sport or activity after a knee injury or surgery

• Pain following a motor vehicle accident, covered under ICBC Enhanced Care with no out-of-pocket cost

• A knee injury at work, with receipts you can submit to WorkSafeBC for reimbursement

When to Seek Urgent Medical Care

Some knee symptoms need same-day medical or emergency assessment. Go to a doctor or emergency department if you have:

• A hot, red, swollen knee with fever or feeling unwell

• Inability to bear weight after an injury, or an obvious deformity

• A knee that is locked and won’t straighten

• Rapid, large swelling within a few hours of an injury

• Calf pain, swelling or warmth along with knee pain, especially after surgery, a long flight or immobility

We screen for these signs at every visit and will refer you to your doctor or the emergency department when needed.

Related Conditions We Treat

Knee pain is often connected to problems elsewhere in the leg. These related conditions frequently show up together:

• Meniscus injuries — a common source of joint-line pain and catching. See understanding meniscus injuries.

• Hip pain and labral tears — hip problems can refer pain to the knee and change how it loads. Read our hip labral tear overview.

• Lower back pain and sciatica — nerve irritation in the lower back can cause knee and leg pain. See our lower back pain guide.

• Plantar fasciitis and foot pain — foot mechanics affect the whole leg. Learn about plantar fasciitis treatment.

• Running and cycling injuries — our sport chiropractic team works with runners, cyclists and athletes of every level.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your first appointment takes 30 to 45 minutes. We start with a detailed history of your knee pain, activity and any previous injuries, then examine your knee, hip, ankle, foot and lower back, including strength, movement, ligament and meniscus tests. If imaging or a medical referral is needed, we'll tell you.

By the end of the visit you'll understand what's driving your pain and what the plan looks like. Many overuse problems like runner's knee and IT band pain improve noticeably within a few weeks of targeted rehab; tendon problems and arthritis take longer, and we'll be honest with you about the timeline. Read more about what to expect as a new patient.

We offer direct billing to most extended health plans and accept ICBC claims. For WorkSafeBC claims, you pay at your visit and submit your receipt to WorkSafeBC for reimbursement.

Book a Knee Pain Assessment in Brentwood Bay

Whether it's a sore knee that's stopping you from hiking, an injury from the weekend game or arthritis that's slowing you down, the first step is finding out what's actually causing it.

Brentwood Chiropractic Group is located at 108-7088 W Saanich Rd in Brentwood Bay and serves Central Saanich, Saanichton, Sidney, North Saanich, Deep Cove, Royal Oak and Greater Victoria. You can book online here or call us at 250-223-0200.