If there is one joint that is vulnerable to injury it is the knee. Because they must bear a lot of weight and are designed to move in a variety of directions, the knees are susceptible to all sorts of trouble. This can include various sprains, tears, spasms, inflammation and even pulls. Plus, disease like arthritis can also cause mild to severe knee pain.

Types of Knee Problems

Although quite sturdy, the knees are prone to dysfunction and disease. That can leave you will long-lasting pain and discomfort - not to mention an inability to move about easily. So what are the most common types of knee injury and disease?

* Cartilage Problems. Active runners, skiers and soccer players often experience a softening of the knee cap cartilage which can be debilitating.

* Ligament Tears. Often referred to as a sprain, posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears and pulls are common among sports enthusiasts who stretch the ligament too far. Anterior Cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are almost always the result of a quick pull and tear die to sudden impact of the leg and knees. This type of tear often requires long term treatment for complete healing.

* Meniscus Injuries. This type of tear is usually the result of quick twists and turns of the upper leg or repetitive rotations of the knee.

* Tendon Injuries: Inflamed tendons are usually the result of overuse. However tendon injuries can also be caused by tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon) or even a ruptured tendon.

* Referred Pain: this is often caused by nerve compression in the back, pelvis, or thigh which radiates into the knee.

* Arthritis: a common inflammatory disease, arthritis can cause all sorts of problems for the knee. Although it usually affects the joint, inflammation in the area can also affect other structures like the muscles and tendons. When the cartilage in the knee begins to degrade due to age, use or abuse, arthritis is likely present.

When Is It Time to Seek help?

When knee pain begins to interfere with your daily activities, then it is time to get help. In most cases, traditional doctors will begin by prescribing pain killers and anti-inflammatories to offer relief. While these medications may help to stave off the pain, they don't do much to reverse the underlying problem causing it. Seeing a chiropractor for help is a more natural choice that works to alleviate the pain while fixing the problem causing it.

Healing Knee Pain Naturally

Not interested in using pain killers or surgery to heal your knee pain? That's okay. You don't have to suffer any longer. Today's modern chiropractic treatment options can help to heal your injury and put you on the road to recovery.

By offering a variety of healing techniques including knee manipulation, exercises to strengthen the knee joint, ligaments and muscles, and ultrasound therapy for treating soft tissue damage, a chiropractor to help to reduce inflammation, increase movement and get rid of your pain.

Developing Your Own Individual Treatment Plan

The knee is a complicated joint. There are a lot of factors to consider when evaluating chronic knee pain. A qualified chiropractor will do a comprehensive exam including x-rays and maybe even an MRI to determine the extent of your injury and develop an individualized treatment plan that is designed to offer permanent relief.