Knee Pain Isn’t Always a Knee Problem

Here’s What Most People Get Wrong

If you’ve been dealing with stubborn knee pain, you’ve probably tried the usual advice: rest, ice, stretching, maybe even a new brace.

But here’s the truth: most knee pain isn’t just a knee problem.

Very often, the real issue is coming from somewhere else—your hips.

Why Your Hip Strength Matters for Knee Pain

Your gluteus medius (glute med) is a key muscle on the outside of your hip. Its job is to stabilize your pelvis and control your leg during single-leg movements.

Every time you:

• Walk or run
• Go up or down stairs
• Squat or lunge
• Play sports or chase your kids

…you rely on single-leg stability.

When that hip strength isn’t there, your knee tends to fall inward (dynamic valgus), increasing stress on the joint.

The Research Behind It

• Weak hip abductors are strongly linked to runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain)
• Improving hip and glute strength reduces knee pain and improves function
• Movement-based rehab is more effective long-term than symptom-only treatment

Translation: If you only treat the knee, you may be missing the root cause.

Common Mistakes People Make With Knee Pain

• ❌ Stretching quads and hamstrings nonstop
• ❌ Foam rolling directly over the knee
• ❌ Resting and hoping it goes away
• ❌ Jumping back into activity too quickly

These may help temporarily—but they don’t fix the underlying issue.

What Actually Works

At Epic PT, we focus on:

• Single-leg strength training
• Glute med activation and endurance
• Movement retraining
• Gradual return to activity without flare-ups

The goal isn’t just to feel better—it’s to stay better.

When Should You Get Your Knee Checked?

If you’re experiencing:

• Knee pain going up or down stairs
• Pain with running, squatting, or workouts
• Clicking, aching, or instability
• Pain that keeps coming back

…it’s worth getting evaluated.

The sooner you address the root cause, the faster—and more completely—you recover.

Ready to Fix the Real Problem?

Strong hips = healthier knees.

👉 Schedule Your Evaluation Today

Let’s figure out what’s actually causing your knee pain so you can get back to moving confidently.

🗓️  Ready to Feel Better?

We’re currently offering same-week evaluations at both of our convenient clinic locations:

📍  Epic Physical Therapy – Greenwood Village
9250 E Costilla Ave, Ste 201
Greenwood Village, CO 80112
📞  (720) 572-4873

📍  Epic Physical Therapy – Highlands Ranch
9088 S Ridgeline Blvd, Ste 106
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
📞  (720) 458-0522