Shoulder, Hip & Knee Pain
These three joints carry the most load in everyday movement and sport. When one is restricted or injured, the others compensate often creating a cascade of problems up and down the kinetic chain. We treat the system, not just the joint.
Three joints. One connected system.
The shoulder, hip, and knee rarely exist in isolation. Restriction in one joint changes how load is distributed across the entire kinetic chain restricted hip mobility overloads the knee; poor shoulder mechanics strain the rotator cuff and cervical spine; knee pain often originates from weakness and restriction further up at the hip.
This is why treating just the painful joint often fails. If the hip isn't assessed when the knee hurts, the problem keeps returning. If the thoracic spine isn't addressed when the shoulder aches, impingement persists regardless of how much rotator cuff work you do.
The SFMA gives us the full picture of how these joints are working together and where the breakdown is actually happening.
Common presentations
- Rotator cuff strains
- Shoulder impingement
- AC joint injuries
- Biceps tendinopathy
- Frozen shoulder
- Overhead mobility loss
Common presentations
- Hip flexor tightness & pain
- Gluteal tendinopathy
- FAI (femoroacetabular impingement)
- Piriformis syndrome
- Groin & adductor strains
- SI joint dysfunction
Common presentations
- Patellofemoral pain (runner's knee)
- Patellar tendinopathy
- IT band syndrome
- Pes anserine bursitis
- MCL sprains
- Post-surgical rehab
The ADAPT approach to joint pain
We assess the whole kinetic chain, not just the painful joint. A knee that hurts with running almost always has a hip mobility or glute strength deficit driving it. A shoulder that impinges overhead usually has a thoracic mobility restriction or scapular control problem underneath.
The kinetic chain principle
Your shoulder pain may be a thoracic spine problem. Your knee pain may be a hip problem. Your hip pain may be a lumbar spine problem. We look above and below the painful joint every time — because that's almost always where the real answer is.
Full kinetic chain assessment
SFMA evaluates shoulder, thoracic, lumbar, hip, and knee function together to find the actual source.
Joint restoration
Chiropractic adjustments to the affected joint and the areas above and below that are contributing to the problem.
Soft tissue work
ART®, cupping, and IASTM to restore normal tissue quality around the joint and along the kinetic chain.
Stability & strength
Joint-specific corrective exercise to build the support structure the painful joint has been missing.
Related conditions we treat
Joint pain holding you back? Let's look at the whole picture.
Book your movement assessment in Coeur d'Alene, we'll find out why that shoulder, hip, or knee keeps flaring up and build a plan that actually fixes it.
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