Runner's knee massage therapy TorontoPatellofemoral Pain (Runner's Knee)

Front-of-knee pain involving how the kneecap moves over the thigh bone. Kneecap tracking — where the kneecap gets pulled too far to one side as the knee straightens — is one common contributor among several, not the sole cause.

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Pain at the front of the knee when you kick your knee forward or engage the quad, sometimes with grinding or strain around the joint. It can feel pretty nasty and restrict a lot of activity.

I start by assessing quad engagement — the quadriceps is actually four separate muscles, each pulling the kneecap slightly differently, and one even crosses the hip. Manual techniques relax the over-engaged parts, and coaching and exercises help balance engagement across all four. I also check the glute stabilizers — gluteus maximus, medius and minimus — since weak or inconsistent glute engagement causes dipping, rotation or instability in gait or lifting that strains the kneecap. Adherence to the exercise plan is essential for fast recovery and long-term prevention — there's no shortcut here.

What I Focus On

• Quad Balance
• Manual Release
• Glute Activation
• Home Exercise