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Knee Pain Treatment
Knee Pain Treatment in Saskatoon
Knee pain can disrupt your work, limit your hobbies, and interfere with everyday tasks like walking, driving, or climbing stairs. At Axis Health Center in Saskatoon, we help people of all ages overcome knee pain using hands-on care, movement-based therapy, and a collaborative, patient-focused approach.
Our clinic combines chiropractic care, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, and dry needling to build a plan that’s specific to your goals. We treat acute injuries, chronic discomfort, post-surgical knees, and everything in between — with a focus on restoring movement, reducing pain, and preventing future issues.
You don’t need a referral, and most treatment plans can begin within days. Whether your pain is recent or long-standing, we’re here to help you return to the activities and lifestyle you enjoy.
Why Is Knee Pain So Common?
Knee pain is one of the most frequent concerns we see in Saskatoon. The winter months often bring falls, stiffness, and joint irritation. Recreational sports like hockey, skiing, and soccer can place repetitive strain on the knee, and physically demanding jobs or long hours of sitting add stress over time.
Knee problems can also develop gradually. Changes in posture, biomechanics, or strength in other areas (such as your hips or feet) can cause the knee to compensate, often leading to pain that seems to appear out of nowhere.
What Causes Knee Pain?
The knee joint is complex — and it relies on surrounding muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue to function properly. Pain can stem from damage, inflammation, or mechanical stress in any of these areas. Common causes we treat include:
Patellofemoral pain syndrome – where the kneecap moves improperly along the thigh bone
Meniscal tears – damage to the cartilage that cushions the knee
Ligament sprains or tears – such as ACL or MCL injuries from sports or sudden twisting
Osteoarthritis – where joint cartilage breaks down, often with age or overuse
Iliotibial (IT) band tension – typically causing pain on the outside of the knee
We also see clients who’ve experienced pain after a fall, car accident, or repetitive stress at work. In many cases, a combination of factors is involved — and a full-body assessment helps uncover the real cause.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
At Axis Health Center, your first visit starts with a one-on-one consultation to understand your history, symptoms, lifestyle, and goals. From there, your clinician will perform a detailed assessment that may include:
Joint and soft tissue evaluation
Range of motion and strength testing
Movement screening and walking analysis
Special orthopedic tests to identify ligament or meniscus problems
If your issue requires imaging, we can send you for x-rays or other imaging. Most of the time, though, your assessment gives us all the insight needed to start treatment right away.
Our Approach to Knee Pain Treatment
Your treatment is customized to fit your condition, lifestyle, and goals — whether you want to get back to sport, work, or simply move without pain.
Physiotherapy plays a key role in restoring mobility and improving strength. You’ll learn specific exercises to activate the right muscles, retrain movement patterns, and progress safely over time.
Chiropractic care focuses on joint function and alignment, not only in the knee but in the hips, pelvis, and low back — all of which influence how force is absorbed through the legs.
Exercise therapy builds lasting resilience by improving muscle support around the knee, especially the quads, glutes, and hamstrings. This helps prevent re-injury and allows you to return to normal activity with confidence.
Dry needling may be used to release trigger points or chronic muscle tension, particularly in the IT band or quadriceps.
Manual therapy techniques can relieve pressure, improve circulation, and reduce soft tissue restrictions that limit movement.
Your provider will let you know what therapy may be required to best deal with you condition. Often times people require several treatments in combination with each other.
You’ll also receive advice on pacing, activity modification, and at-home strategies to support healing between visits.
When Knee Surgery Is or Isn’t Needed
Not all knee problems require surgery and in fact, most don’t. Many conditions can improve with conservative care that focuses on mobility, strength, and movement control. This is particularly true for people with patellar pain, mild meniscus tears, or early osteoarthritis.
That said, some knee issues do benefit from surgical intervention. Full-thickness meniscus tears, or advanced joint degeneration may require a surgical approach, especially if function is severely limited or there is mechanical locking.
If you’re considering surgery, physiotherapy plays an important role before and after the procedure. Additionally we provide knee braces for both pre-operative knees and post-operative knees to asses with the stability of the knee and ensure a proper recovery after the surgery. Check our page about knee braces here!
Pre-Operative and Post-Operative Rehab for Knee pain
Pre-operative physiotherapy (prehab) helps you build strength, flexibility, and function before surgery. Research shows that patients who do prehab often recover faster and have fewer complications. It also helps set realistic expectations and mentally prepare for recovery.
Post-operative rehab is essential for restoring range of motion, reducing scar tissue, and regaining muscle strength. Whether you’ve had a total knee replacement, ACL repair, or meniscus surgery, we create structured programs that guide you safely through each stage of recovery; from early mobility to full return to activity.
At Axis Health Center, our therapists work closely with you and your surgical team to ensure your care is coordinated and focused.
Who We Help
We work with a wide range of clients:
Athletes and weekend warriors recovering from injury
Workers with repetitive strain or postural knee pain
Older adults managing arthritis or instability
Individuals recovering from surgery who want to return to full function
People with chronic or unexplained knee discomfort
You don’t need a diagnosis or referral to get started. If your knee pain is interfering with your life, we’re here to help.
Why Choose Axis Health Center?
Our clinic is located in central Saskatoon and offers easy access, free parking, and flexible scheduling. We’re proud to be a locally owned practice that puts patient care ahead of sales targets or unnecessary procedures.
With our integrated approach, you’ll receive care from a team that communicates, coordinates, and adapts your plan as you progress. You’ll never feel rushed or like just another file number.
We’ve helped hundreds of Saskatoon residents recover from knee pain and return to work, sport, and daily activity — and we’re ready to help you too.
Insurance and Direct Billing
Axis Health Center offers direct billing to most major health insurance providers in Saskatchewan, including Canada Life, Blue Cross, Manulife, Sun Life, and more.
If your knee pain is related to a workplace injury or motor vehicle accident, we also accept Workers Compensation Board Injuries (WCB) and SGI Auto injury claims claims and can help you navigate the approval process.
Book Your Appointment Today
Knee pain can limit your mobility, independence, and confidence — but with the right care, you can get back to living fully again.
Our team at Axis Health Center is here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re just beginning to notice discomfort, recovering from an injury, or preparing for surgery, we’ll build a plan that works for you.
Do You Have Knee Swelling, Knee Clicking?
Common Causes Include Meniscus, Ligament or Tendon, and Arthritis
Your knee is a hinge joint that can only move forward and backward. You should be able to stand, walk, run, and dance with ease if your knees are in proper alignment. If you have knee pain from misalignment or other problems, you will not be able to move as freely as you would like. When your knee becomes irritated for a period of time it will cause inflammation and swelling within or around the joint. But don’t worry, we treat inflammation of the knees!
Although it might seem counter-intuitive, there are times when knee pain is the symptom, not the source of your problem. The knee can alert you to a problem in the foot or hip region by sending pain messages to your brain. There are, of course, times when the knee pain you feel is due to an actual injury or issue in the knee itself.
Fortunately, at Axis Health Center in Saskatoon, our dedicated healthcare professionals are experts at getting to the root of your problems and identifying all the factors that may be associated with your specific condition. So if you’re unsure what’s causing your symptoms, let our team conduct a whole-body assessment, identify the reasons you may be experiencing knee pain. Call us today to find out what’s the cause of your knee pain and to start treatment.
What is knee arthritis?
What is knee arthritis?
The most common type of arthritis for knee pain is osteoarthritis (OA). This condition occurs when the cartilage surrounding your joints deteriorates, and the joint no longer has a sufficient cushion between the bone. This leads to joint inflammation, with varying levels of pain and dysfunction. But don’t worry, we treat knee arthritis with our team of healthcare professionals.
What is a knee meniscus injury?
There are two common cartilage injuries: Meniscus injury: The meniscus serves as a shock absorber and helps maintain stability in the knee. A meniscus tear can be caused by contact or non-contact activity when the knee twists suddenly. Some tears are the result of wear and tear.
What is a knee ligament injury?
Our bones are connected by ligaments. The ligaments in your knee act like leather straps to hold the bones together and keep your knee stable when moving quickly. Ligaments are often stretched and/or torn during sudden or awkward movements, and often during sports.
What is a knee tendonitis injury?
Your tendons are thick connective tissues that attach muscles to bones. Tendinitis occurs when the tendon becomes inflamed due to repetitive movements. It is common in jumping and landing motions and sports like skiing, cycling, or hurdling.
What is knee bursitis?
Bursae are closed, fluid-filled sacs that cushion and help create a smooth gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. These sacs of fluid protect tendons from the bone. There are many bursae in the knee joint that can become inflamed and painful.
What is patella femoral pain syndrome?
The knee cap (Patella) acts on the knee like a lever for mechanical advantage when using the knee. This requires the Patella to move in a designated track of the knee to function well without pain. Very commonly the Patella does not track well within it’s space and leads to damage to the knee cap, the articular cartilage or the tendons inside the knee.
What is a knee meniscus injury?
There are two common cartilage injuries:
Meniscus injury: The meniscus serves as a shock absorber and helps maintain stability in the knee. A meniscus tear can be caused by contact or non-contact activity when the knee twists suddenly. Some tears are the result of wear and tear.
Articular cartilage injury: The articular cartilage is a smooth covering on the bones that allows for frictionless sliding of one bone on another. Articular cartilage is injured by direct trauma or wear and tear.
If you twist your knee quickly while bearing weight on it or sustain some other type of trauma, the cartilage may be injured. It is also possible for prolonged inactivity or repetitive movements to cause fraying and eventually tearing of the cartilage.
What is a knee ligament injury?
Our bones are connected by ligaments. The ligaments in your knee act like leather straps to hold the bones together and keep your knee stable when moving quickly. Ligaments are often stretched and/or torn during a sudden or awkward movements and often during sports.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): It is located in the center of the knee and controls rotation and forward movement of the shin bone.
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL): It is located in the back of the knee and controls the backward movement of the shin bone.
Medial collateral ligament (MCL): The medial collateral ligament is on the inside of your knee and provides stability to sideway motions.
Lateral collateral ligament (LCL): The lateral collateral ligament is on the outside of your knee and provides stability to the sideways motions.
What is a knee tendonitis injury?
Your tendons are thick connective tissues that attach muscles to bones. Tendinitis occurs when the tendon becomes inflamed due to repetitive movements. It is common in jumping and landing motions and sports like skiing, cycling, or hurdling.
The patellar tendon connects the patella (kneecap) to the shinbone, allowing you to kick, run, and jump. Patellar tendinitis is common in runners, skiers, cyclists, and those who engage in jumping sports and activities.
Knee tendinitis can make it hard to walk, rise from a chair, climb stairs, or play sports. Our physiotherapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, naturopathic doctors, and massage therapists are trained to diagnose and treat knee pain and help ease your pain and get you back to doing what you love!
What is knee bursitis?
Bursae are closed, fluid-filled sacs that cushions and helps create a smooth gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. These sacs of fluid protect tendons from the bone. There are many bursae in the knee joint that can become inflamed and painful.
An injury or overuse can cause inflammation in the bursae (aka Bursitis) which prevents tendons from smoothly gliding over the joint and can be painful or even debilitating.
What is patella femoral pain syndrome?
The knee cap (Patella) acts on the knee like a lever for mechanical advantage when using the knee. This requires the Patella to move in a designated track of the knee to function well without pain. Very commonly the Patella does not track well within it’s space and leads to damage to the knee cap, the articular cartilage or the tendons inside the knee. There can be swelling and pain when bending the knee or when running.
This is often called Patellafemoral Pain Syndrome and can be effectively treated if caught at an early stage. However it may progress and result in arthritis later on if not managed early.
There are many causes of knee pain and this is a very short list, however, these are most common and surgery is rarely necessary to treat it successfully. If you have knee pain we encourage you to book an appointment with our chiropractic doctor or physiotherapist to discover the cause and begin treatment right away!
Let Us Eliminate Your Knee Pain Today!
Soft tissue therapy, acupuncture, rehabilitation and adjustments all reduce knee pain
Some people are worried that our treatments will aggravate their knees because they have been told their only option is surgery. This is simply not the case for the vast majority of people. In fact, chiropractic, massage therapy, and acupuncture have been shown to be as effective or more effective than surgery for several disorders of the knee.
You have so much to gain from starting treatment with chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy on 8th Street in Saskatoon. Rest assured, we can help you recover from knee pain!
During your first appointment, one of our physiotherapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the whole body. Your therapist will examine your knees for signs and symptoms of serious conditions that require further evaluation, testing of specific medical treatments (i.e., medication, injections, or surgery)
Our evaluations will address the joints above and below the knee and any other factors affecting your mobility, gait, and overall functional ability.
In order to return to your regular activities with more joint range of motion, soft tissue flexibility, and less discomfort, you and our team of Healthcare Providers will address how your body works together for normal joint function.
Your therapist will give you exercises to help strengthen the muscles around the knee to help reduce pain, stabilize, and improve the overall functioning of your knees. Your chiropractor, acupuncturist or massage therapist may use manual therapy and modality treatments to manage discomfort and speed the recovery of injured tissues.
Before you know it, your knee pain will be a thing of the past. Our wellness treatments at Axis Health Center can help you get back to doing what you love without medication, invasive injections, or painful surgery!