5 reasons for knee pain when sitting

Experience knee pain when you are sitting down? Uncovering the reason for your pain can be an excellent first step in finding relief. Knee pain comes in many varieties. Some people experience grating, burning or pinching sensations. The pain may come in brief spurts or last for extended periods. While you may experience some level of knee pain throughout the day, it might intensify when sitting. This often occurs as a result of the stress put on the knee joint in certain sitting positions.

When it comes to effective knee pain treatments, physical therapy is a great option. A physical therapist can help diagnose the source of your pain and offer effective treatments for long-term relief. With treatments like soft tissue mobilization and TENS unit muscle stimulation, your physical therapist can provide top-notch care for your condition.

Knee pain when sitting: Leading causes

• Postural issues — Sitting with proper posture is essential for maintaining knee health. If you tend to sit in positions that put excessive pressure on your knees, your risk of knee pain might be heightened. While poor posture may not immediately cause pain, it can lead to increased discomfort over time. Avoiding positions that bend your knees at a sharp angle can be a good way to help prevent future knee pain. When adjusting your position, try to keep your knees aligned with your hips. Making postural corrections tends to alleviate discomfort in regions including the knees, hips and spine. Your physical therapist can offer further personalized guidance on healthy sitting positions.

• Tight hamstrings — The hamstrings are muscles located in the inner thigh. These muscles play a vital role in many actions including walking and running. When you flex your knees, you are engaging your hamstrings. Because these muscles are so closely connected to the knees, hamstring issues can lead to knee issues. If you experience knee pain when sitting or bending your knee in other situations, the cause could be tight hamstrings. Tension in the hamstrings tends to place increased stress on the knees. By relieving this tension, you may be able to address your knee pain at the source. Physical therapy stretches can be a great way to improve your hamstring flexibility. Working with your physical therapist, you can develop an exercise plan that meets your needs and capabilities.

• Repetitive stress — Constantly putting stress on your knees can lead to knee pain when sitting. Continual repetitive activities that involve the knee can even lead to injuries from overuse. If you engage in strenuous activities such as jogging or high-impact sports, you may be at risk for overuse injuries. Kneeling and squatting for extended periods can also contribute to knee overuse. To avoid discomfort from overuse, try modifying your activities to reduce knee strain. Incorporating adequate rest periods between exercise sessions is also important. Physical therapy can be a great source of guidance when it comes to activity modification and proper technique.

• Bursitis — Bursitis is the inflammation of small fluid-filled sacs called bursae that sit between the joints. The bursae located around the knee function to keep the knee joint cushioned. When these sacs are irritated, they can cause painful sensations. This knee pain may become more intense when sitting or putting pressure on the knee in other ways. Swelling, pain and soreness are some common symptoms of bursitis. If you have knee bursitis, physical therapy can be crucial to recovery. Your physical therapist can provide personalized treatments designed to reduce your inflammation and pain.

• Meniscus injuries — Recently sustained a sports injury in the knee? Understanding the kind of injury you have experienced can be essential to receiving proper treatment. One of the most common knee injuries in sports is a torn meniscus. Meniscus tears typically occur when the knee is forced to suddenly twist or pivot. The meniscus is a tough cartilage band that functions to absorb shock around the knee. When this band is torn, you may quickly start to see symptoms including pain and swelling. You may also have difficulty extending your leg at the knee. After a meniscus tear, physical therapy can be instrumental in helping you make a swift and complete recovery.

Back in Motion can help alleviate your knee pain when sitting

Ready to experience lasting relief from your knee pain? At Back in Motion Physical Therapy, you can receive hands-on care tailored to your personal health needs. Through one-on-one PT sessions, you can work to relieve your symptoms and make progress toward recovery.

Call us or request an appointment today to find a solution for your knee pain when sitting.