Runner's Knee Treatment in Austin — Get Back to Running Fast
Patellofemoral pain, IT band syndrome, and patellar tendonitis treated by Austin’s athlete-trusted sports chiro team. No referral needed. Same-week appointments.
⭐ 5.0 · 180+ Google reviews · 18+ years treating Austin runners · No referral required
What Is Runner’s Knee — and Why Does It Keep Coming Back?
Runner’s knee is a catch-all term for pain around or behind the kneecap that gets worse with running, squatting, or going down stairs. The most common culprits are patellofemoral pain syndrome, IT band syndrome, and patellar tendonitis — all overuse injuries that respond well to hands-on sports chiropractic care.
If you’ve been told to just rest and ice it, you’re not getting the full picture. Runner’s knee rarely resolves on its own without addressing the underlying cause — and the underlying cause is almost never just the knee.
Does This Sound Familiar?
Runner’s knee often starts subtly before becoming a chronic problem.
- Pain going downstairs
- Knee pain after running
- Pain around the kneecap
- Clicking or grinding
- Tight IT band
- Swelling or stiffness
What Austin Runners Say
“I’ve been to them after every sports injury for the last 15+ years and each time I’m mind blown by how quickly the recovery follows. What they can do in such a short time is remarkable. I will never go anywhere else.”
— Jennifer H., Austin runner and long-term patient
What Actually Causes Runner's Knee
Here’s what most runners don’t know: the knee is usually the victim, not the culprit.
Runner’s knee is most often caused by a combination of hip weakness, ankle instability, and soft tissue restrictions in the quad, IT band, and hip flexors. When these structures aren’t functioning properly, excessive stress loads onto the knee with every stride.
Treating only the knee is why so many runners stay injured. At AST, we assess your entire kinetic chain — from foot strike through hip mechanics — to find and fix the actual source of the problem.
How We Treat Runner's Knee at AST
We don’t just treat the symptom. We find what’s driving the problem and fix that.
Active Release Technique
Breaks down scar tissue and restrictions in the quad, IT band, and hip flexors. Many runners notice improvement within the first 1–2 visits.
Trigger-Point Dry Needling
Releases deep muscular tension that manual therapy can’t fully reach — especially effective for chronic IT band and quad tightness.
Shockwave Therapy
For patellar tendonitis and chronic IT band syndrome that hasn't responded to other treatment, shockwave therapy stimulates tissue repair at the cellular level.
Functional Rehabilitation
Combining targeted restrengthening with movement correction to address the biomechanical root cause.
Interactive Neuro Stim
Most clinics stop at pain relief. We go further with NxPro to retrain and restrengthen.
Running Mechanics Analysis
We identify movement problems at the hip, ankle, and core that overload the knee.
Ready to Find the Real Cause of Your Knee Pain?
Most runners don’t need more rest. They need a proper diagnosis.
Our doctors identify the movement dysfunctions, soft tissue restrictions, and strength deficits causing your symptoms so you can get back to running faster.
Why Runner's Knee Comes Back — and Why It Won't Here
Most clinics treat the pain — not the cause.
- Weak hips corrected
- IT band overload addressed
- Ankle mobility reestablished
- Running mechanics analyzed
- Strength rebuilt
We treat the cause — not just the knee.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first appointment is $155 and runs 30-40 minutes. There’s no referral required and we’ll get you in within the week.
Your doctor will assess your full movement pattern — not just the knee — to identify what’s actually driving the problem. From there you’ll leave with a clear diagnosis, a treatment plan, and typically some immediate relief.
Most runners with acute runner’s knee are back to training within 3-6 visits. Chronic cases take longer, but you’ll know exactly what’s going on and what the plan is from day one.
Acute cases typically resolve in 3-6 visits with the right treatment. Chronic cases take longer but most patients see significant improvement within the first 2-3 visits. The key is addressing the root cause not just the knee.
Not necessarily. We’ll assess your movement and give you a specific recommendation. In many cases we can modify your training load so you keep running while we treat the underlying issue.
Every doctor at AST trained specifically in sports medicine. We use the NexPro INS machine to rebuild neuromuscular strength in the glutes and VMO as part of every runner’s knee protocol — the step most clinics skip. And you see your doctor one-on-one every single visit.
No referral required. Book directly online or call (512) 407-8292 and we’ll get you in within the week.
We’re a cash-pay clinic. New patient visits are $155, follow-ups are $115. We accept HSA and FSA cards and can provide a superbill for PPO out-of-network reimbursement.
It can if the underlying cause isn’t addressed. That’s why we always include NexPro INS-assisted restrengthening as part of the plan — rebuilding the hip and VMO strength that protects your knee on every run
Ready to Run Without Pain?
Same-week appointments. No referral required. One-on-one with your doctor from the first visit.
Or call us at (512) 407-8292