Hip & Knee Pain Relief in Ottawa – Expert Physiotherapy
Your path to strong, pain-free knees starts in downtown Ottawa — with care for patients across Westboro, Orleans, Kanata, and Stittsville.
- Specialists in knee pain, runner's knee, osteoarthritis, and ACL recovery.
- One-on-one care in private rooms, with no rushed appointments.
- 5.0 stars on Google · Direct insurance billing · No referral needed.
Do you ever wonder why simple movements — like walking, climbing stairs, or bending down — cause your knees or hips to ache? As we age, joints lose flexibility and become more prone to stiffness. This is especially true for your knees and hips, which carry your weight every single day.
If you feel knee or hip pain first thing in the morning, it could be a sign of an underlying issue. Our expert physiotherapists identify possible causes — including knee osteoarthritis, runner’s knee, ACL injuries, hip arthritis, and hip bursitis. Instead of relying on temporary solutions, our tailored treatment plans help you regain strength, improve mobility, and restore function.
Our expert chiropractors and physiotherapists treat patients with knee and hip pain every day. Many rely on our care to reach the following recovery goals:
- Less knee and hip pain
- Better mobility on stairs, walking, and sport
- Reduced inflammation and stiffness
- Stronger return to active life
Hip pain in Ottawa? Try these exercises with Dr. Courtney
Duration: 0:37 • Dr. Courtney Broadhurst walks you through simple exercises for hip pain and mobility
Causes Of Hip And Knee Pain
1. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis — including knee osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis — is the most common cause of joint pain in adults over 40. It develops when cartilage wears down over time, leading to stiffness, swelling, and pain on stairs or after rest. Our Ottawa physiotherapy programs combine targeted exercise, manual therapy, and advanced treatments like TECAR therapy and shockwave therapy to ease pain, rebuild joint stability, and slow further wear.
2. Medial Collateral Ligament Trauma
MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) injuries are a frequent cause of knee pain in athletes and active adults. Our downtown Ottawa specialists use a mix of manual therapy, range-of-motion exercises, and progressive strength work to reduce stiffness, restore stability, and get you back to sport safely.
3. Patellar Instability
Patellar instability — often caused by dislocation or subluxation of the kneecap — leads to knee pain and a feeling that the joint may give way. It can also affect hip mechanics over time. We rebuild stability through targeted strengthening of the quads, glutes, and hip stabilizers.
4. ACL Injury
An ACL injury disrupts knee stability and often requires either surgery or a structured rehab plan. Our team builds personalized ACL recovery programs — for both pre-surgery and post-surgery patients — to relieve pain, rebuild strength, and restore confidence in the knee.
5. Sciatica
A pinched sciatic nerve can refer pain into the hip, leg, and knee. Our Ottawa experts evaluate gait, posture, and lower back movement to design the right treatment plan — often combining chiropractic, physiotherapy, and targeted exercise.
6. Runner's Knee
Runner's knee causes pain around or behind the kneecap, often during running, squatting, or going down stairs. We treat it with hands-on therapy, hip and quad strengthening, gait analysis, and (when needed) custom orthotics to fix the underlying mechanics.
How Pain Develops in the Hips and Knees
Knee and hip pain can range from minor discomfort to severe, mobility-limiting pain. Some injuries — like a knee injury, hip bursitis, or a tight IT band — can also cause referred pain. That means a problem in your hip can show up as knee pain, and the other way around. This is why a full assessment matters.
Many knee and hip problems also build slowly over time — through weak muscles, poor movement habits, repeated stress from sport or work, or extra load on weight-bearing joints. Left untreated, these issues can progress and become harder to reverse. Early treatment usually means a faster, fuller recovery.
Benefits of Physiotherapy
At Kent Chiro-Med, physiotherapy delivers lasting results — not just short-term relief. Our hands-on care reduces inflammation, restores joint function, and rebuilds strength around your knees and hips. Unlike over-the-counter pain relievers that mask symptoms, our personalized programs target the root cause of your pain, improve mobility, and help you return to the activities you love.
Why Patients Choose Kent Chiro-Med for Knee and Hip Pain in Ottawa
Patients across downtown Ottawa, Westboro, Orleans, Kanata, and Stittsville choose Kent Chiro-Med because we do things differently. Our team takes the time to find the real cause of your knee or hip pain and builds a plan that fits your body, your schedule, and your goals.
Accurate Diagnosis:
We use detailed gait assessments, range of motion testing, and strength tests to find the real cause of your knee or hip pain — including osteoarthritis, ACL injuries, runner’s knee, and referred pain from the hip or lower back.
Individualized Treatment Plan:
No two knees or hips are the same. Every patient gets a personalized plan based on their condition, lifestyle, sport, and recovery goals — not a one-size-fits-all template.
Variety of Treatment Options:
From shockwave therapy and TECAR therapy to manual therapy, custom orthotics, and structured exercise — we use the right tool for your specific knee or hip problem.
Patient Education:
We explain what’s causing your pain, what your treatment looks like, and what you can do at home to recover faster — so you stay in control of your health.
Lifestyle Modifications:
We give you simple changes — for work, sport, and daily movement — that protect your knees and hips and prevent further damage.
Expert Staff:
Our team includes chiropractors, physiotherapists, and former athletes — all working in private treatment rooms with no clinic assistants and no rushed appointments.
Treatment Options
The right treatment for your knee or hip pain depends on the cause, your activity level, and your goals. We often combine several approaches for the best results. Here’s what we offer at our downtown Ottawa clinic.
TECAR Therapy for Hip and Knee Pain
TECAR therapy is one of the most advanced tools for treating knee and hip pain — and Kent Chiro-Med is one of the only clinics in Ottawa that offers it. This radiofrequency technology delivers targeted energy deep into joints, muscles, and tendons to reduce pain, ease inflammation, and speed up healing — especially helpful for arthritis, sports injuries, and post-surgery recovery.
Diagnose The Causes Of Hip And Knee Pain
Before any treatment, our downtown Ottawa physiotherapists run a full assessment of your knee and hip movement, joint alignment, and walking pattern. We also look at posture, work habits, and sport mechanics. Once we know what’s driving the pain, we build a clear plan to fix it.
Muscle Strengthening
Weak muscles around your knee or hip put extra stress on the joint and slow recovery. Our Ottawa therapists build progressive strength programs that target your quads, glutes, hip stabilizers, and core — so the joint feels supported and stable again.
Exercises To Improve Mobility and Flexibility
Knee and hip pain often leads to stiffness, reduced range of motion, and avoidance of normal activity. Our targeted exercise programs help you move smoothly, regain flexibility, and feel confident on stairs, in sport, and in daily life.
Cold and Heat Treatment
We use cold and heat therapies to manage knee and hip inflammation and stiffness. Cold therapy reduces swelling and acute pain, while heat improves circulation and eases tight joints — both can be useful at different stages of recovery.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy uses high-energy sound waves to break down stubborn scar tissue and trigger healing in tendons and soft tissues. It’s especially effective for chronic knee tendon pain, jumper’s knee, runner’s knee, and stubborn hip injuries that haven’t responded to rest or basic rehab.
Understanding Joint Health and Cartilage
Healthy joints are the foundation of pain-free knees and hips. Over time, wear and tear can break down cartilage — the smooth cushion that lets your joints move easily — leading to stiffness, discomfort, and reduced mobility. Our therapists give you at-home routines and regular physiotherapy sessions to slow that wear, protect your weight-bearing joints, and reduce your risk of osteoarthritis.
A healthy lifestyle — balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and good movement habits — also plays a major role in keeping your joints strong and reducing the chance of future injury.
Can Osteoarthritis Be Prevented?
Many people ask, “Can osteoarthritis be prevented?” Some risk factors — like age and genetics — are out of your control. But lifestyle changes do play a major role. Low-impact exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, a balanced diet, and early treatment of small injuries can all reduce your risk and slow joint wear.
If joint damage becomes severe, hip or knee replacement surgery may be needed to restore mobility. Our team at Kent Chiro-Med assesses your condition and builds a plan — pre-surgery, post-surgery, or non-surgical — to maximize your joint health and recovery.
Knee Pain by Activity: Runners, Athletes, and Active Adults in Ottawa
Knee pain often shows up during specific activities. Runners feel it on the outside of the knee or under the kneecap. Soccer and basketball players struggle with twisting injuries and ligament strain. Cyclists, skiers, and CrossFit athletes often deal with overuse pain after heavy training blocks.
We treat athletes and active adults across Ottawa — from weekend runners on the Rideau Canal pathway to competitive players in local leagues. Each plan is built around your sport, your training load, and your return-to-play goals.
Real Knee and Hip Pain Recoveries
From Real Ottawa Patients
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FAQs
Some of the most effective treatments for hip and knee pain are the following:
- Rest
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Cold and heat
- Stretch
A common cause of hip and knee pain is Osteoarthritis. Some other causes of hip and knee pain include injury to the medial collateral ligament, ACL injury and Sciatica.
This pain may be caused by pinching of the sciatic nerve. Furthermore, certain musculoskeletal conditions such as sacroiliac joint dysfunction or piriformis syndrome may also cause similar pain.
We will examine your knee for signs of misalignment or damage. We can also conduct tests like x-rays. After the examination is completed, the physical therapist will diagnose a treatment plan for relieving stresses and strains.
If your hip pain continues despite physiotherapy and conservative care—or if you experience worsening joint pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis—it might be time to see a doctor about options like a hip replacement. Our experts are here to help you decide on the next steps.
Yes. Physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for runner’s knee. We work on strengthening the hips, quads, and core, improving running mechanics, and managing training load — so the knee can absorb stress without irritation.
Recovery time depends on the injury, your age, and how soon you start treatment. Minor sprains often improve within 2 to 6 weeks. Moderate injuries can take 8 to 12 weeks. Post-surgery rehab and ACL recovery can take 6 to 9 months. We give you a clear timeline after your first assessment.
Yes — especially for stubborn tendon problems like jumper’s knee, runner’s knee, and patellar tendinopathy. Shockwave therapy works well when rest and basic rehab have not produced results. We often combine it with strength training and manual therapy for best outcomes.
No. You can book directly with Kent Chiro-Med — no doctor’s referral required. Some insurance plans may still ask for one for reimbursement, so check your plan before booking.
Ready to Move Without Knee or Hip Pain?
Whether you’re dealing with runner’s knee, ACL recovery, osteoarthritis, or chronic hip pain — our downtown Ottawa team is ready to help. Book your first assessment, get a clear picture of what’s wrong, and start a plan that actually fits your life.
Don’t put it off any longer. Most patients tell us they wish they had booked sooner.