Knee Pain treatment in Cheltenham
Expert physiotherapy for knee injuries, arthritis and patella tendonitis
Knee pain can make even simple things feel harder, whether it’s walking, climbing stairs, running or getting back to the activities you enjoy. At Straight Back Physio in Cheltenham, our specialist physiotherapists treat knee pain by finding the true cause and fixing how your knee moves, not just masking symptoms.
We use a mix of hands-on techniques to help improve blood flow and restore function, like joint mobilisation, soft tissue massage, targeted strengthening and focused rehabilitation. Our physiotherapists treat a wide range of knee injuries including, arthritis, patella tendonitis and sports‑related knee pain, to improve stability and help you walk, run and train with confidence again.
“Straight Back Physio treated the root cause of my knee issue, not just the symptoms. I was also given exercises and advice to build on the treatment at home. My knee now feels great and I’m back training and racing. I would definitely recommend Straight Back Physio!”
David H
Types of knee pain
Anterior knee pain
Knee injuries in sports are common. Anterior Knee Pain is a general term used to describe pain originating from the structures at the front of your knee. The most common structures that cause pain in this area are the joint between your knee cap and your thigh bone, and the patella tendon which attaches your thigh muscles to the bone, just below the knee cap. It is usually linked to overuse rather than injury and is often seen in young sporting adults, although anyone can be affected.
Physio for anterior knee pain treatment is the preferred option, we aim to identify which factors are influencing your knee joint pain and to correct these with rehabilitation exercises to help strengthen the hip and knee region, improve flexibility of your hamstrings, and we will talk to you about reducing pain in your activities. Manual therapy can help correct the alignment of the knee joint and
acupuncture is effective at reducing inflammation and pain.
Knee Bursitis
Sometimes referred to as housemaid's knee, bursae are small fluid filled sacs that reduce friction between moving parts of the body's joints, and bursitis is inflammation or irritation of the bursae in the knee.
There are many causes including a heavy blow to the knee, jobs that require long periods of kneeling, fungal or bacterial infection, rheumatoid arthritis, prolonged periods working in front of a computer, and playing sports where a lot of pressure is placed on the knee joint such as football or squash.
Physiotherapy treatment for knee bursitis can reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee, and restore mobility in the knee. Treatment for 2-8 weeks will swelling management, stretching, and strengthening exercises.
Knee cartilage damage
The menisci and articular cartilage don’t have their own nerve supply (which transmits pain) however normally when the cartilage is damaged, surrounding structures are damaged too, causing pain. Knee joint cartilage damage is often due to a trauma where you twist your knee while your foot is planted and knees are bent as in squash, but it can also be due to repeated wear and tear of the meniscal cartilage as you get older.
Physiotherapy is often recommended as a non-invasive treatment so that surgery can be avoided, but it is also required after knee cartilage surgery. Physiotherapy strengthens your knee and helps to regain full range of motion. Manual therapy helps to stretch out the tension in the soft tissue surrounding your knee, and reduces swelling. Acupuncture helps reduce pain and inflammation in the healing knee cartilage, but high-quality rehabilitation is required to address the underlying cause.
Knee ligament injury
Knee ligaments are like ropes made up of lots of thin collagen fibres that are bunched in groups to form the ligament. If a force exceeds the strength of the knee ligament it can tear causing pain and inflammation. Ligament damage may be caused by trauma, such as a car accident, or by a blow, stretching or twisting of the knee in sports such as a football tackle, but can also be caused from a fall or twisting when stepping down from a step.
Physiotherapy treatment for knee ligament injuries focuses on strengthening muscles, while restoring mobility as the ligament heals. Massage applies deep pressure on the ligament causing new scar tissue and enabling it to heal, manual therapy helps to reduce pain and improve joint mobility, acupuncture can decrease inflammation and pain, and shockwave therapy can promote healing of ligaments and reducing pain. Pilates is good at strengthening and aligning the knee muscles, and improving mobility.
Patellar tendonitis
Also known as jumpers knee is a relatively common soft tissue injury, it can occur in sports that mainly involve running and jumping such as tennis and football, but can be seen with too much weighted squats and hill running. It is classed as an overuse injury that occurs when the tendon is unable to adapt to the level of strain placed on it causing tendon fiber damage.
Patellar tendonitis treatment includes manual therapy to improve movement, reduce muscle stiffness, and soft tissue massage. Rehabilitation exercises based on loading and muscle strength to correct weaknesses and imbalances in the muscles. Acupuncture can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. Certain exercises in Pilates can help reduce inflammation and bring back normal tendon function. Shockwave therapy is an effective treatment for all soft tissue injuries.
Why Choose Us
No other local physiotherapy clinic can match our level of expertise and rehabilitation services, thanks to our extensive experience and in-house gym facilities.
We offer affordable physiotherapy in Cheltenham, providing caring, high‑quality treatment that supports your recovery without stretching your budget.
Insured
For insured clients we can either work directly with your insurance provider or offer receipts for cash-based plans, allowing you to reclaim your expenses.
Not Covered by Insurance
If you’re looking for one of the most trusted physiotherapists in your area, you’re welcome to book an appointment at our Cheltenham clinic — no need for a physiotherapy referral from your GP.