Last Reviewed by: Dr. Steve Knighton | March 15, 2026
Knee Pain Treatment 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 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.
Love Dr. Steve's sense of humour, enthusiasm and determination to make you feel better he always adds a positive part in our day when we come here thank you! We love the staff at the front desk and the helpers of Dr Steve they are so kind and hardworking. Thank... read more you for making me feel better and working hard to make my mum feel better as well.
gunes ozok December 7, 2024
Great staff , very welcoming and knowledgeable
Heidi Bedard July 7, 2024
I have been struggling with De Quervain’s for over 9 months and found Dr. Steve on YouTube a few weeks ago. Cannot recommend this clinic enough, if you have any wrist/thumb mobility issues they will help you! After 3 weeks of treatment here I can finally say I feel better... read more and more positive, thank you! 🫶
Aleksia Petrov June 7, 2024
Dr. Steve & his team were amazing. Helped me with my back pain, always had great appointment times available and got me in and out in a timely manner. I would highly recommend for your chiropractic needs.
Nicole Romkema September 7, 2024
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 that he could get me back to no pain and also back to running. His treatment was excellent, and the staff at the clinic amazing. He did exactly what he said he would. I am now free of pain and back to running. Dr. Steve did exactly what it says on the tin. How rare is that!
Renee Phillips February 6, 2025
I’ve been going to Steve and his team for chiropractic care for several years, and they have helped me tremendously. Despite living in downtown Toronto, I make the trip out to Oakville because the quality of care is truly worth it. Steve takes a holistic approach, looking at the... read more root cause of the problem rather than just focusing on adjustments, although the adjustments themselves are highly effective. His team is always welcoming and professional, making every visit a positive experience. If you’re looking for a chiropractor who goes above and beyond, I can’t recommend Steve enough!
Aman Bahl November 7, 2024
so good!!! the people are lovely and the service is so effective! felt results after session one!
lilly montelongo August 7, 2024
Really great service! Dr. Steven is very humorous and treats all your issues. The staffs are all super friendly and will check up on your health regularly. Overall very enjoyable experience.
Crystal Zhao February 13, 2025
My husband and I have been attending the Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre for almost a year now, and we are so pleased. Dr. Jenn is consistently professional, caring and helpful to both of us for our physio well-being. She is a brightness to our day every time we visit. The... read more whole team is amazing and welcoming at every appointment. Communicating with them for any reminders, questions or rescheduling is easy. It’s a bonus that they are a dog friendly centre, and are extra adoring on our Bernedoodle, Dexter, who sometimes needs to tag along. Thank you to Dr. Jenn and the entire team for your continued care to our well-being. See you soon!
Elle S February 13, 2025
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
What are the best at home stretches for knee pain?
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.
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.
