Knee Pain Relief in Toronto: The Core Problem Behind Knee Pain and How to Fix It
Knee pain can be one of the most frustrating and limiting conditions, whether it’s from an injury, daily wear and tear, or chronic discomfort. For many people, traditional treatments like icing, medication, and physical therapy can offer temporary relief but fail to address the root cause of the pain. At Dr. Alex Ritza’s clinic in Toronto, we take a holistic approach to knee pain relief, focusing not just on the knee, but on the entire body, especially the spine, core muscles, and hips. This unique perspective targets the “Core Problem,” offering long-lasting solutions to knee pain.
Why Knee Pain Often Starts Elsewhere
You may be surprised to learn that the cause of your knee pain might not actually be in your knee. Research has shown that knee pain is often the result of compensations or weaknesses in other parts of the body, particularly the spine, core, and hips. These areas play a crucial role in how we move, absorb force, and distribute load throughout the body.
When you bend your knee, the body is not just using the knee joint itself to absorb impact—it’s using the muscles and structures above and below it. In particular, the hips and core are responsible for absorbing much of the force that would otherwise go directly into the knees. If these areas are weak, tight, or misaligned, the knee can bear more load than it is designed for, leading to pain, injury, or degeneration over time.
The Hip and Core Connection to Knee Pain
One of the most important findings in recent research, such as studies by Dr. Chris Powers from USC, is the idea of a “hip strategy” versus a “knee strategy.” When you rely on a knee strategy, the body shifts its weight forward during movements like squatting or lunging, causing the knees to absorb a disproportionate amount of force. On the other hand, a hip strategy involves shifting weight onto the larger, stronger muscles of the hips and glutes, which are better equipped to absorb impact and reduce stress on the knees.
Unfortunately, many people unknowingly use a knee strategy, which puts unnecessary strain on the knee joint and surrounding muscles. This is especially common in runners, athletes, and individuals who sit for prolonged periods. Over time, this compensatory movement pattern can contribute to conditions like patellofemoral pain syndrome, runner’s knee, and other forms of knee discomfort.
How Dr. Alex Ritza’s Approach Can Help
At Dr. Alex Ritza’s clinic in Toronto, we don’t just treat knee pain in isolation. Instead, we focus on identifying and correcting the underlying imbalances that are contributing to the problem. Our approach is centered around the idea of the “Core Problem” – the idea that knee pain often stems from dysfunction or weakness in the spine, core, and hips.
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Spine Alignment and Posture: A misaligned spine can affect your posture and how your body distributes force during movement. Poor posture places extra strain on your knees, making them more susceptible to injury and pain. By correcting spinal misalignments and improving posture, we help you move more efficiently and take the pressure off your knees.
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Core Strength: The core is the foundation of all movement, and weak core muscles can lead to compensations in other parts of the body, including the knees. Strengthening the core helps stabilize the pelvis, improve posture, and reduce unnecessary stress on the knee joint.
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Hip Activation and Strengthening: The glutes and hip muscles play a key role in knee pain prevention. If these muscles are weak or underactive, your knees end up bearing more force than they should. Strengthening the hips allows you to use a hip strategy instead of a knee strategy, which reduces the risk of knee pain and injury.
The Best Knee Pain Treatment in Toronto: Targeting the Root Cause
Dr. Ritza’s approach to knee pain relief in Toronto is designed to go beyond traditional treatments. Instead of merely addressing symptoms, we aim to correct the root causes of knee pain by focusing on the spine, core, and hips.
One of the key components of our treatment protocol is retraining the body to use a hip strategy rather than a knee strategy. This involves a series of exercises that focus on activating and strengthening the glutes and hip muscles, as well as improving core stability. Here are a few examples of the exercises we use to help correct movement patterns and relieve knee pain:
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Hip-Focused Squats: Traditional squats can put a lot of strain on the knees, especially if you’re relying on a knee strategy. We teach our patients to perform squats by sitting back into the hips and glutes, rather than shifting forward onto the knees. This helps activate the glutes and take the load off the knee joint.
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Single-Leg Squats: A great way to test whether you’re using a knee strategy is by performing a single-leg squat. If you feel pressure on your knee, it’s a sign that you may be overloading it. We work with patients to develop better technique and focus on loading the hips rather than the knees.
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Side Bridges and Clamshells: These exercises help strengthen the glutes and improve hip stability. By targeting the hip abductors and glute muscles, we help our patients develop a stronger foundation for movement, which in turn reduces strain on the knees.
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Monster Walks with Resistance Bands: Resistance band exercises like monster walks help activate the glutes and improve hip mobility. By training the hips to work more efficiently, these exercises promote better movement patterns that protect the knees.
Excuse the cycling branding. This is a GREAT core strength and stability routine that can help to address lateral hip weakness that can lead to knee pain
Why Choose Dr. Ritza for Knee Pain Relief in Toronto?
At Dr. Alex Ritza’s clinic, we understand that knee pain is often a symptom of deeper, underlying issues. Rather than simply treating the knee, we focus on correcting the core problem by addressing imbalances in the spine, core, and hips. The best approach is one personalized to each patient’s needs. We work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses the root causes of your knee pain, not just the symptoms.
Whether you’re dealing with a recent knee injury or want to prevent future knee pain, our holistic, long-term approach to knee pain relief is the best solution in Toronto. If you’re tired of temporary fixes and want to find the real solution to your knee pain, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you get back to doing the things you love—pain-free.
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