Tiana Y.

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Knee Pain

  1. SYMPTOM

    Knee Pain

  2. SITUATION

    Tiana, a 46-year-old physician assistant, came to KIRO with persistent knee pain while starting to train for the NYC Runs Brooklyn Half Marathon. The pain developed gradually over several weeks, mostly in her left kneecap and surrounding soft tissue, and was aggravated by long runs, uphill training, and stairs at work. She noticed mild swelling after longer runs and occasional stiffness in the mornings, which limited her mobility both on her feet at the clinic and during her workouts.

    Tiana tried rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers, but her knee discomfort persisted. Concerned that continuing her training without addressing the issue could worsen her condition, she sought chiropractic care to reduce pain, restore function, and safely continue her half-marathon preparation.

  3. TREATMENT

    Care began with a comprehensive examination by KIRO’s team of doctors. The evaluation revealed reduced left knee range of motion, mild swelling, and muscle tightness in the left quads, hamstrings, and both hips, which contributed to abnormal knee mechanics. Subtle postural and gait issues were also identified, including a pelvic imbalance and slight inward rotation of the knees during running, which can increase strain on the joint.

    To further assess function, our doctors performed an initial nervous system scan, showing elevated tension patterns through the low back and pelvis, confirming the impact of repetitive stress from running and prolonged standing at work. These findings guided a personalized three-month care plan to relieve pain, correct mechanics, and strengthen the supporting muscles.

    Care began with twice-weekly chiropractic adjustments targeting the full spine, knees, hips, ankles, and feet, paired with soft tissue therapy to reduce tension in the quads, hamstrings, and calves. Gentle mobility exercises were introduced to restore safe knee movement while minimizing load on inflamed tissues.

    After a month, our doctors repeated the nervous system scan and re-evaluated knee function. The scan showed decreased tension in the lower back, and Tiana reported about 65% increase in comfort while running, ascending stairs, and performing her clinical duties. Based on these objective improvements, care shifted to once-per-week visits, emphasizing strengthening muscles in the hip and knee complexes, gait correction, and long-term knee stability.

    Over the following two months, our doctors implemented a progressive strengthening program for the quads, glutes, and hamstrings, combined with balance and alignment exercises to reduce joint strain. Postural guidance and running mechanics coaching were provided to protect the knees during training and reduce the risk of future flare-ups.

  4. RESULT

    By the end of her three-month care plan, Tiana experienced significant improvements in knee strength, mobility, and comfort. She was taught how to KT tape her knee for added stability, and found herself able to complete her runs with reduced pain, climb stairs at work without discomfort, and maintain her training schedule safely. 

    Today, Tiana continues to follow a home exercise and stretching routine recommended by her KIRO doctors, allowing her to maintain knee health, progress in her half-marathon training, and stay active both professionally and personally.

  5. DURATION

    3 months