Joint Pain in Your Shoulders, Knees, and More

Joint pain has a way of sneaking into everyday life. Your shoulder complains every time you reach for the top shelf. Your knees ache on the stairs. Your heel hurts with the first steps out of bed. A lot of people don't realize a chiropractor works on these joints too, not only the spine. At Hanson Chiropractic Center, we see shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and feet every week.

Why one sore joint is often a chain problem

Your joints work together. If your hip is stiff, your knee usually picks up the slack. If your foot rolls in when you walk, your knee and hip feel it too. And tingling in your hand sometimes starts in your neck, not your wrist.

That's why we don't only look at the spot that hurts. We check the joints above and below it, watch how you move, and look for the part that's actually causing the trouble.

What causes joint pain

Most of what we see falls into a few groups. Overuse is a big one: typing, gardening, painting a room, or a weekend of pickleball can irritate a tendon. Old injuries that never healed right are another. And as we get older, the cartilage in our joints wears thinner, which leads to the stiffness and ache of osteoarthritis.

The good news is that moving usually helps more than resting. The CDC lists staying physically active as one of the ways to manage osteoarthritis pain.

Joint pain we help with

Shoulders. Pain when you reach overhead, sleep on one side, or put on a jacket. Often a tendon problem or a stiff joint. Read about shoulder pain.

Elbows. Pain on the outside or inside of the elbow that flares when you grip, lift a coffee cup, or turn a doorknob. See tennis elbow and tendinitis.

Wrists and hands. Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your fingers, especially at night or after typing. Learn about carpal tunnel and wrist pain.

Knees and hips. Aching on stairs, stiffness after sitting, or pain that shows up during a walk. Read about knee and hip pain.

Heels and feet. Sharp pain under your heel with your first steps in the morning. See plantar fasciitis and heel pain.

How we treat joint pain

We start with a hands-on exam of the sore joint and the ones connected to it. Then we explain what we found in plain language.

Most plans include gentle adjustments to get stiff joints moving again, along with work on the muscles and tendons around them. When a tendon stays sore for months, shockwave therapy is sometimes part of the plan. Our massage therapist helps loosen the tight muscles that pull a joint out of line. You'll also leave with a few simple exercises, because strong muscles take pressure off sore joints.

When to see a doctor right away

Go to urgent care or the ER if a joint looks bent or out of place, swells up fast after an injury, or can't hold your weight. A joint that's hot, red, and swollen, especially with a fever, needs a doctor the same day. So does sudden calf pain and swelling, which can mean a blood clot.

Questions about joint pain

Do chiropractors treat joints other than the spine?

Yes. A lot of people don't know that. We work on shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet, along with the muscles and tendons around them.

Should I see a chiropractor or an orthopedic doctor for joint pain?

For everyday aches, overuse, and stiffness, you can start with us. If a joint is badly swollen, looks out of place, or can't hold your weight, see a doctor first. We'll also tell you if your exam turns up something that needs a specialist.

Can a chiropractor help with arthritis?

Yes. We help arthritic joints move better and ease the tight muscles around them. Many people with wear-and-tear arthritis feel more comfortable staying active with that kind of care. Results vary from person to person.

Why does my knee hurt when the problem is my hip?

Your joints work as a chain. If your hip or foot doesn't move the way it should, your knee often takes the extra load and ends up sore. That's why we check the joints above and below the one that hurts.

Is it okay to keep exercising with joint pain?

Usually, yes, as long as it doesn't make the pain sharply worse. Gentle movement tends to help stiff joints more than rest does. We'll help you figure out what's safe to keep doing while you heal.

How long does it take for joint pain to get better?

It depends on the joint and how long it's been hurting. A tendon you irritated last weekend often settles in a few weeks. Pain you've lived with for a year usually takes longer. After your exam, we'll give you a realistic idea of what to expect and check how you're doing at every visit.

This page is general information and doesn't replace advice from your doctor. Results vary from person to person. Fill out your new patient paperwork before your first visit, or see everything else we help with on our Conditions We Treat page.