Joint and Extremity Pain

Your joints let you do everything from tying your shoes to chasing a toddler, so pain in one of them gets your attention fast. Chiropractic care reaches beyond the spine. At Hanson Chiropractic Center in Edmond, we look at your shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. Pick the area bothering you below, or read on for how we approach joint pain in general.

Find the page for your sore joint

Shoulder

Reaching, lifting, and sleeping on your side all get harder with a sore shoulder. Read about shoulder pain and rotator cuff problems.

Elbow

Pain on the outside or inside of the elbow often comes from an irritated tendon. See our page on tennis elbow and tendinitis.

Wrist and hand

Numbness and tingling in the hand, especially at night, sometimes point to a squeezed nerve. Learn about carpal tunnel and wrist pain.

Hip and knee

Stairs, long walks, and getting up from a chair tell you a lot about these joints. Read about knee and hip pain.

Heel and foot

Sharp pain with your first steps in the morning often means plantar fasciitis. See our page on plantar fasciitis and heel pain.

Ankle sprains and sports injuries

Ankle sprains happen fast, whether you roll your foot on a curb or land wrong in a game. The ligaments stretch or tear, and swelling follows. Mild sprains often settle with a few days of rest, but a stiff or weak ankle sometimes leaves you open to another sprain. Early care helps you rebuild motion and get your balance back.

Runners, golfers, and weekend athletes also deal with strains and overuse injuries. A sore Achilles tendon or a nagging hamstring usually points to a pattern, such as a jump in training or a stiff joint nearby. We look for the pattern and explain a plan to get you back to your sport. Anything involving a possible fracture, a joint which looks out of place, or an inability to bear weight needs urgent medical care first.

Why one sore joint usually involves its neighbors

Joints work with muscles, tendons, and ligaments, so pain in one spot often involves several parts. A stiff ankle sometimes shows up as knee pain. A stiff upper back sometimes shows up as shoulder pain. Because of this, we check the areas above and below the sore spot, and we ask how you move during the day.

How we treat joint pain in Edmond

Every joint is different, so we don't use one plan for everyone. After your exam, our chiropractors explain what they found and which options fit.

Our gentle chiropractic adjustments use low force to restore movement in stiff joints, with no twisting and no forceful popping. Class IV laser therapy sends light energy into sore tissue to calm inflammation and support healing. Stubborn tendon pain sometimes calls for shockwave therapy, which uses focused sound pulses. Sessions last 5 to 15 minutes, and most people start with 3 to 6 visits about a week apart. We review your history first to make sure shockwave fits you. Our massage therapist also works on tight muscles around a sore joint when massage fits your plan.

Your first visit

We start by listening. You tell us where you hurt, what makes the pain worse, and what you've already tried. Mention any past injury, surgery, or sport you play. Then we examine the sore joint along with the areas around the joint, and we check your movement and strength. We take digital x-rays when they help. Before you leave, we explain what we found in plain language.

Bring a list of your medications. Fill out your new patient paperwork ahead of time, and see who you'll meet on our team page.

When to get medical care first

Most joint pain isn't an emergency, but a few signs need a doctor right away. Call 911 for shoulder or arm pain with chest pain, shortness of breath, or sweating. Go to an emergency room if a joint looks out of place or you are unable to bear weight. Go too if you hear a pop followed by quick swelling. A hot, red, swollen joint with a fever needs urgent care because infection is possible. Call your physician if swelling lasts more than a few days, if numbness or weakness spreads, or if pain wakes you at night.

Questions about joint pain

Does chiropractic care help joint pain?

Many people with joint pain choose chiropractic care. Adjustments, laser therapy, and shockwave therapy focus on stiffness, inflammation, and tendon irritation. We start with an exam, then recommend a plan built around your joint and your goals.

Do chiropractors treat sports injuries?

Yes. We see strains, sprains, and overuse injuries from runners, golfers, and weekend athletes. We look for the pattern behind your injury. Then we build a plan to get you back to your sport with gentle care and a few simple exercises.

Is my pain tendinitis or arthritis?

Tendinitis is an irritated tendon, while arthritis is wear or inflammation inside the joint. The pain sometimes feels alike, so a thorough exam matters. We explain what we find. We also work alongside your physician when your case calls for a team.

Should I rest or stay active?

Long rest usually slows recovery, and gentle movement often helps more. Sharp pain or swelling means stop and call us. We show you which activities fit your joint for now.

Last reviewed October 2026 by the chiropractors at Hanson Chiropractic Center. This page gives general information and does not replace advice from your physician. Individual results vary. Read about other concerns we help with on our Conditions We Treat page.