Table of Contents
Massage Treatment for Knee Pain
Massage Treatment for knee pain. This is specific to an issue where the patella’s (knee cap) motion when extending the knee is dysfunctional. This is what is called an issue with patellar tracking. Watch the video to gain an understanding.
Patellar Tracking
When you flex and extend your knee, the knee cap rides on a surface of the Femur. This surface, of your thigh bone, is called the Trochlear Groove.
It is similar to a train traveling on tracks.
At times, the knee cap can move on the trochlear groove in a dysfunctional way. It is like a train moving off the rails.
When the knee cap is unable to track properly, it can result in knee pain.
The pain can be felt in activities such as cycling , running and jumping.
In this blog we will be discuss how certain muscles are involved. We will also be discussing the treatment mindset and game plan.
Muscular Involvement
The muscles involved in patellar tracking issues, include the Vastus Medialis muscle versus the other muscles of the Quadriceps group. Usually it involves more the Vastus Lateralis muscle.
*In the above image are three of the four Quadriceps muscles. There is one that lies deep to these structures, hence it is unavailable visually.
The Quadriceps group pull the knee cap, up towards the upper thigh, when the knee is extending.
At times, there is an imbalance between the “inner” Quad muscle, Vastus Medialis. The “outer” front and lateral structures of the thigh, such as the Vastus Lateralis, are also involved.
Treatment Approach
Massage treatment for knee pain. Specific to patellar tracking issues can go like this. The weaker Vastus Medialis will have trigger points. These trigger points can refer to the knee cap. Usually the patient will mention that the pain is located on the knee cap itself.
The pain and discomfort can be twofold. The pain from the tracking issue and trigger points in the Vastus Medialis muscle. During the treatment the trigger points are released to relieve some of the pain and discomfort. Depending on the individual, there can be multiple large and active trigger points in the area.
Because of the weakness of Vastus Medialis, it is also a good idea to have the patient do strengthening exercises. Typically, this is done as home care.
On the lateral side of the thigh will be a degree of tightness. This tightness can be from the Vastus Lateralis, IT Band and the fascia in and around the area. This can require the use of deeper more aggressive techniques. Massage treatment for knee pain can include a certain degree of discomfort and pain during. This can be true when working on the structures of the lateral side of the thigh. Elbows, forearms, knuckles and fascial techniques can be used. Typically the techniques to the fascia require more of a pulling-type of technique. Techniques that literally pry the tissues away from each other.
If this sounds painful, it can be. The depth, precision, aggressiveness and duration of techniques can at times be excruciating. The areas treated on the lateral side will require exercises such as foam rolling, pressure points and stretching. This is for home care.
Finally, the last part of massage treatment for knee pain is to assess other structures that can be an exacerbator. For example, is there more tightness of one glute muscle versus the other? How are the calves, are they both tight? Is one tighter than the other? These are some of the questions that I can ask.
I look for areas that can be a contributor to the person’s pain and discomfort and I address it.
Every person is different. They can have similar symptoms but differ in areas that are compensating. Hence, cookie cutter treatments can work but for longer term results you need to be looked at as an individual.
Do you need massage treatment for knee pain? Please contact us. We can discuss your case. By the way, we also have a video related to this that is available on our other website vprc.ca. This video is more about self-managing this issue.
More Resources:
This is a tip to release tight Quadriceps from our Pain Relief Fitness site vprc.ca. Are you an avid runner? Watch our video and read our blog about Deep Tissue Massage and running.
