Whether it's a sharp ache with every step or a deep nagging throb that won't settle, knee pain stops you from doing what matters. Our Sunshine Coast physiotherapists and chiropractors find the cause and treat it - at Mooloolaba and Nambour.
The knee is the largest joint in the body and one of the most commonly injured. It has to absorb enormous forces during everyday activities - walking, climbing stairs, squatting - and even small imbalances in how you move can lead to pain over time.
Common causes of knee pain include patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner's knee), iliotibial band syndrome, meniscus injuries, ligament sprains, osteoarthritis, bursitis, and referred pain from the hip or lower back. Getting the right diagnosis matters because a knee that looks painful from the outside may be driven by a problem elsewhere in the lower limb kinetic chain.
At Absolute Health, our practitioners assess not just the knee in isolation but how your hip, pelvis, ankle, and foot contribute to knee loading. Treating only the symptom without understanding the underlying cause is one of the most common reasons knee pain keeps coming back.
Physiotherapy is usually the first port of call for knee pain - but chiropractic can be highly effective too, especially when hip or spinal alignment is loading the knee unevenly.
Physiotherapists are experts in restoring movement and strength around the knee. A thorough assessment identifies which muscles are weak or overloaded, which movement patterns are stressing the joint, and what hands-on treatment and exercise will most efficiently address the problem.
When knee pain is driven by misalignment higher up the chain - a tilted pelvis, reduced hip mobility, or lumbar joint dysfunction - chiropractic adjustment can relieve the excess load being placed on the knee. This is particularly relevant for people with recurrent or bilateral knee pain.
Not sure who to see? Our practitioners often collaborate on complex knee presentations. Book with either and we'll make sure you're with the right person - or refer between us if a combined approach makes sense.
We start every appointment with a proper look at the whole picture - not just the joint that hurts. Knee pain rarely lives in isolation.
In many cases, yes. The majority of knee pain conditions - patellofemoral syndrome, IT band syndrome, mild to moderate meniscus irritation, and osteoarthritis - respond well to physiotherapy without surgical intervention. Surgery is typically considered only when conservative treatment has been exhausted or when there is a clear structural problem that cannot be managed any other way. Our practitioners are direct about whether your condition is one that is likely to resolve with physio or whether a specialist opinion is warranted.
Both can help, and the right choice depends on the underlying cause. Physiotherapy is usually first-line for most knee conditions - particularly when muscle imbalance, overuse, or post-injury rehabilitation is involved. Chiropractic is particularly useful when the knee pain is partly driven by pelvic tilt, restricted hip movement, or lumbar joint issues altering your gait. At Absolute Health, both disciplines share a clinic so you can get the most appropriate care quickly.
It depends significantly on the cause and how long you've had it. Acute injuries often settle well within 6-10 sessions. Longstanding conditions, osteoarthritis, or post-surgical rehabilitation typically require a longer course of treatment and ongoing exercise management. We'll give you a realistic timeline after your first assessment rather than a vague estimate.
Generally yes, within limits - and in many cases, the right exercise is essential for recovery. The key is choosing exercises that load the knee in a way it can handle and progressively building from there. Complete rest is rarely the answer and often leads to muscle weakening that prolongs the problem. We'll prescribe a specific program tailored to your current pain levels and capacity.
If you have a chronic knee condition and a GP referral under a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, you may be eligible for up to 5 bulk-billed physiotherapy visits per calendar year. Speak with your GP about whether a CDM plan is appropriate for you. Learn more about bulk billing at Absolute Health →
It's rarely too late. Chronic knee pain typically responds to treatment - it may just take longer than an acute injury. In many cases, persistent knee pain hasn't been properly diagnosed or the root cause hasn't been addressed. We regularly see people who've had knee pain for a year or more and achieve significant, lasting improvement with appropriate treatment and rehabilitation.
Book a consultation at Mooloolaba or Nambour. Same-day appointments are often available and we bulk-bill eligible patients.
We'll get back to you within one business day
