Content Reviewed By: Dr. Steve Knighton, B.Sc., D.C. on October 12, 2026
Chiropractic License Number: 5580

Knee Pain Treatment Oakville

Athletes dealing with knee pain, ligament sprains, meniscus injuries or pain returning to sport can also learn more about our sports injury physiotherapy in Oakville.

We treat a lot of knee pain at our Oakville Physiotherapy and Chiropractic clinic. Whether the knee pain is the result of a muscular imbalance, strained or torn ligaments, a strained meniscus, or an inflamed tendon, shockwave therapy has been proven to be the gold standard when it comes to getting our Oakville patients out of knee pain. Reach out to our evidence based chiropractic care team for knee treatment protocols for all kinds of knee injuries.

Looking for physiotherapy for a knee injury? Vinaya and her Oakville physiotherapy team have the treatment you need. Our physiotherapist treats similar to Dr. Steve and treatment almost always includes shockwave therapy.

If your knee hurts when cutting across the soccer field, running or changing direction on the court, tell us exactly which movements bring it on. Our sports chiropractic assessment considers the painful area, training demands and the strength and control needed for your sport.

If your knee pain symptoms are related to a workplace injury, learn how to start a WSIB claim and access approved treatment in Oakville. Knee injuries frequently occur in car accidents when the knee strikes the dashboard during impact. Our car accident injury treatment Oakville program includes treatment for knee injuries caused by motor vehicle collisions.

Our Oakville clinic also has a sports physiotherapist for knee pain!

Book an appointment

Knee Pain Treatment Video:

What Our Patients Are saying

Awesome experience. Very welcoming and always left feeling rejuvenated

John Stones
July 7, 2024

I’ve always had a great experience at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre. The staff is friendly, professional, and welcoming. Dr. Steve Knighton listens to and understands my concerns. He has a great sense of humour, which adds a relaxed and personable touch to my treatment experiences. I am always well cared... read more

Gina Purvey
August 18, 2026

Dr.Jenn is a very caring and skilled chiropractor. She has a gentle yet highly effective touch. I have been to her for two separate issues and both have resolved nicely. I would highly recommend her to anyone. The clinic staff are very friendly and helpful as well.

Sandra Chiang
June 7, 2024
Dr. Steve and his staff have been integral in keeping me in shape to continue to train. Dr. Steve understands the peculiarities of my back and is able to treat me in a manner that I am comfortable with and gets results. He is also very helpful in providing alternative... read more

Scott Campbell
December 7, 2024

From the moment you walk in, the staff make you feel welcome, comfortable, and genuinely cared for. The clinic is clean, professional, and well organized. A special thank you to Dr. Steve, who is truly the best from every perspective. His knowledge, professionalism, patience, and genuine care for his patients are... read more

Seher Mufty
May 29, 2026

When I booked my first appointment with Dr. Steve, my SI was in so much pain, I couldn’t stand due to the pain and it was worse sitting down. I chose Dr. Steve just for proximity to work, and at the time desperate for some relief. Dr. Steve assured me... read more

Renee Phillips
February 6, 2025
I’ve been to Dr Steve more than once over past several years. I had severe sciatica pain stemming from lower back to right hip to all the way down to right tows. He has magical hands. His sessions healed the issue completely and now I am able to play... read more regular golf. Thank you Dr. Steve

C C
September 7, 2024

Very helpful team. Physiotherapist Vinaya has now helping me on 2 different inquiries and RMT Jessica helps remove the aches, pains and stress

Mark Silva
December 17, 2024

Dr. Steve and his team are real difference makers. In a few short sessions, the issue was resolved. Expert advice, excellent personalized care. On top of that, the friendly team at the front desk are so easy to communicate with. Highly recommend! Thank you Dr. Steve!

Kristine N
July 28, 2026

Common Types of Knee Pain We Treat

1. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome develops from an imbalance in the knee, which is a result of the muscles on the inside of the knee being weaker than the muscles on the outside. Sometimes this imbalance is so apparent that you can see the difference in muscle size! This imbalance can lead to the knee cap ‘translating’ or moving inward. As the kneecap slides medially , it doesn’t track through it’s designated groove properly, causing some friction and irritation felt behind the patella.

Shockwave Therapy is the gold standard for patellofemoral pain syndrome and can help in two ways. Firstly, shockwave therapy can help stimulate the muscles on the inside of the knee (specifically, your vastus medialis obliques). Shockwave can help wake up the nerves and ensure there is proper neurological input getting to the muscles.

Book an appointment

This is particularly helpful to ensure that the muscles can fully activate during strengthening exercises – which is the most important aspect of recovery for this condition. Secondly, Shockwave Therapy can help alleviate tight muscles on the outside of the leg and restore balance between the muscles to promote proper mechanics of the knee joint.

Shockwave can also be used to treat the deep ligaments of the knee which get tight with improper balance!

What’s the best treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome?

4 Steps to treating patellofemoral pain syndrome:

IFC and Heat Therapy – Interferential Current and Heat Therapy are used to control pain and increase blood flow to the injured knee. This primes the area for the shockwave treatment that will follow.
Shockwave Therapy – Shockwave is an air powered gun that fires a bullet back and forth against an applicator head. We use specific transmitter heads for each patients injury and pain tolerance. The shockwave contacts the patients 15 times a second for a total of between 1200 and 1500 hits.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy – Most patients call this the “scraper” at our clinic. The metal tool is used to breakup superficial scar tissue around the knee and quad muscles.
Exercises and Icing Instructions – Almost all patients will be given at home knee exercises that emphasize stretching in the early phase of treatment. Icing instructions will be given at the end of every treatment and aid with lowering inflammation and healing!

What is the anatomy of knee pain?

2. Meniscus Injury Treatment Oakville

The medial meniscus is a c-shaped cushion that sits between your femur (upper leg bone) and tibia (lower leg bone). This structure helps to support the knee under load, cushions the joint and distributes forces through the knee joint.

When the meniscus gets irritated or tears, it can become quite painful. This occurs when the knee rotates on a firmly planted leg. Signs of a meniscus strain includes inability to fully extend the knee, clicking/locking, and pain with going up and down stairs. Our Oakville therapy team typically gets more patients with Medial Meniscus injuries at the beginning of the ski season and when kids go back to indoor soccer or sports played on “bad” turf.

Book an appointment

Shockwave Therapy can be very helpful in managing the pain and swelling associated with meniscus strains and tears. There is even one shockwave point that can be applied directly onto the meniscus to help reduce inflammation and promote healing to a structure that already doesn’t get a great amount of blood supply (and therefore is a natural-born self-healer). Stimulating the nerves around the knee, via shockwave, can help limit discomfort and swelling.

More Information on Medial Meniscus Tears

What’s the Best Treatment for Meniscus Tears and Knee Injuries?

Here at our patient focused chiropractic clinic, we focus on helping patients avoid unnecessary knee surgery whenever possible. Meniscus injuries don’t always need the operating room — they need the right combination of targeted therapies delivered in the correct order.

4-Step Approach to Treating Meniscus Tears

1) IFC & Heat Therapy
Interferential Current (IFC) combined with heat is used first to control pain and increase circulation around the injured meniscus. IFC helps move excess fluid out of the knee joint, and most patients notice improved range of motion within the first 10 minutes. This “primes” the tissue and prepares the knee for the next stage of treatment.

2) Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy has become a gold-standard option for patients hoping to avoid knee surgery. This air-powered device delivers rapid, controlled pulses (about 15 per second) through a specialized applicator head. Treatments typically involve 1,200–1,500 pulses, with energy penetrating approximately 15–55 mm depending on the setting. This stimulates healing in damaged tissue that often has poor blood supply — including deeper structures around the meniscus.

3) Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy (IASTT)
Many patients call this the “scraper.” This specialized metal tool helps break up superficial scar tissue around the knee, quad, and surrounding connective tissues. By loosening tight ligaments and tendons that become overloaded after a meniscus injury, we reduce mechanical stress on the joint and improve overall function.

4) Targeted Exercises & Icing
Every patient receives customized home exercises. Early on, the focus is gentle mobility and stretching to restore movement without irritating the tear. Clear icing instructions are provided after each visit to control inflammation and support recovery.

3. Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment in Oakville

As we get older, our joints don’t always age as smoothly as we’d like. By age 50, many people show signs of knee arthritis on X-ray. Some never feel pain at all. Others begin to notice stiffness, swelling, and discomfort that can affect daily life.

At our Oakville clinic, Dr. Steve has seen excellent results using a specific shockwave protocol designed for seniors with moderate to severe knee arthritis. This treatment stimulates angiogenesis — the formation of new blood vessels — which improves circulation inside the joint. Better blood flow helps reduce inflammation and delivers nutrients to tissues that don’t normally heal well on their own.

Our physiotherapy and chiropractic arthritis protocols can be found here.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in the knee gradually wears down, narrowing the joint space. As the protective cushioning decreases, the bones move closer together, leading to pain — especially in this weight-bearing joint. The inner (medial) part of the knee is most commonly affected.

Shockwave therapy can be a powerful, non-surgical option to manage arthritis. By increasing circulation and supporting joint lubrication, it can reduce pain and help keep you active longer.

Learn More About Knee Osteoarthritis Here

4. Knee Ligament Sprain Treatment

There are 4 main ligaments in the knee; ACL, PCL, LCL, and MCL. For these ligament injuries, shockwave can be a beneficial modality in combination with other manual techniques and exercises. At their worst, these injuries can require surgery and more extensive therapeutic interventions, but when the injuries are less severe they respond well to immediate conservative care.

Book an appointment

Shockwave for ligament strains is aimed at controlling swelling, and encouraging healing to the injured ligaments. The MCL and LCL can be stimulated directly with a specific shockwave applicator head, as they can easily be felt on the inside and outside of the knee complex. When the ACL is injured it can often cause a lot of swelling. Shockwave is very effective at limiting the swelling and preventing it from lingering around too long.

Shockwave Therapy can be performed by our chiropractors or physiotherapist at our Oakville clinic!

Book Your Knee Pain Treatment Today!

What’s best treatment for a knee ligament sprain in Oakville?

4 Steps to treating ligament tears and sprains of the knee:

IFC and Heat Therapy – Interferential Current and Heat Therapy are used to control pain and increase blood flow to the injured knee and the surrounding ligaments. This primes the area for the shockwave treatment that will follow. The IFC also allows for fluid to be removed from the knee which allows for new blood to enter the knee and aid in healing!
Shockwave Therapy for Ligaments of the knee – Shockwave is an air powered gun that fires a bullet back and forth against an applicator head. We use specific transmitter heads for each patients injury and pain tolerance. For ligaments of the knee our knee specialists use a shallower depth transmitter head that penentrates 15mm as in most cases the ligaments are not as deep as the mensiscu tears. The shockwave contacts the patients 15 times a second for a total of between 1200 and 1500 hits.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy – Most patients call this the “scraper” at our clinic. The metal tool is used to breakup superficial scar tissue around the knee. This works great with MCL and LCL strains and tears.
Exercises and Icing Instructions – Almost all patients will be given at home knee exercises that emphasize stretching in the early phase of treatment. Icing instructions will be given at the end of every treatment and aid with lowering inflammation and healing!

Book an appointment

What are the best at home stretches for knee pain?

Our Physiotherapists in Oakville say “Patients with knee pain should get a specific at home workout plan for their specific diagnosis”. However, sometimes patients just need some general knee exercises to do at home. Check out the link below and see if these knee exercises are right for you.

Quad Stretches PDF

Knee Stretches PDF – Beginner

Knee Stretches PDF – Advanced

Knee Pain FAQS

What is causing my knee pain?
What is the best treatment for a medial meniscus injury?
How do I know that I have a medial meniscus tear?
How can I treat knee pain?
When should I see a doctor for knee pain?
Should I ice or heat knee pain?
Is shockwave therapy good for knee pain?
What shoes should I wear for knee pain?
How long should I rest my knee pain?
Is physiotherapy good for knee pain?
Is acupuncture good for knee pain?
Can a chiropractor treat knee pain?

Multiple things can cause your knee pain but the most common is either an injury to the meniscus or quad tightness.

Shockwave therapy is one of the best treatment services for your medial meniscus injury. It breaks p the scar tissue and inflammation, as well as promotes new blood and healing to the area.

You may know if you have a tear if you have pain on the side of your knees, swelling, your knee locks or gets stuck during movement and difficulty bending the knee. Although, imaging will tell you if you have a medial meniscus tear.

You can treat your knee pain with IFC, shockwave, Graston. HEAT or ICE therapy and rest.

You should see your doctor about your knee pain if it persists over a long period of time with no improvement, even after remedies like rest, ice and the pain continues after medication.

You should always ice an injury because it helps with reducing the inflammation around the injury. If ice does not work then you can try heat.

Yes, shockwave is a great treatment service for knee pain. It helps get deep and break up the inflammation surrounding the injury and promote healing.

You should wear shoes with both heel and arch support. Some form of shoe with a thick base like the ASCIS GT 2000.

Each person is different but you should rest your knee pain till movements that pained you before are more bearable or until your chiropractor or doctor tells you. Around 1-2 weeks depending on severity of injury.

Yes, Physiotherapy is great for knee pain. They will help you get to the root of your pain and help stretch the muscles that are contributing to your knee pain. Hopefully helping relieve the pain you are feeling.

Yes, acupuncture is fantastic for knee pain. It will promote new blood flow to the area which promotes healing. Also, it will help loosen up the muscles surrounding the knee.

Yes, a Chiropractor can treat your knee pain. They will help you resolve your knee pain and come to a diagnosis of what may be causing it.

Content Reviewed By: Dr. Steve Knighton, B.Sc., D.C. on October 12, 2026
Chiropractic License Number: 5580