By Sumaiya Farheen and Andrew Siyabalawatte, Sept 2025.
Knee pain is one of the most common complaints we see in clinic – but here’s the catch, it’s rarely just a knee problem. Often, discomfort in the knee is a result of how your back, hips, muscles, and even feet are working together. Most people are surprised to learn that knee pain is often the result of issues with higher or lower back in the body.
In this guide, we’ll answer the most searched questions people ask about knee pain, explain the real reasons behind it, and share what you can do for long-term relief.
Can Sciatica Cause Knee Pain?
Yes – sciatica can cause knee pain. The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back through your hips and down each leg. If it becomes compressed or irritated (from a slipped disc, tight muscles, or spinal changes), pain can radiate into the thigh, calf, and even the knee joint.
Why Does Knee Hurt When Climbing Down Stairs?
It’s common to notice knee pain when climbing down stairs more than going up. This usually points to an issue with the patellofemoral joint (kneecap).
Weak quadriceps (front thigh muscles)
Tight hamstrings
Poor hip or foot alignment
All of these can cause the kneecap to track incorrectly, leading to sharp knee pain. Strengthening exercises, mobility work, and corrective treatment are key to restoring pain-free stair use. If ignored, this type of knee pain can become a recurring problem with everyday activities.
The Link Between Hip and Knee Pain
If one has limited hip mobility, as the next joint down, the knee will have to bear the weight. The pelvis along with the hip and the knee serves a direct movement chain with the several structures that originate and insert into one another. This shows how closely hip mobility and knee pain are linked, and why treating just the knee often doesn’t solve the full problem.
For example, I injured my knee playing football 13 years ago. 13 years on, if my hip is tight, i feel my knee ‘cave’ in more to meet the requirement of my limited hip mobility. On the otherhand, if my hips are moving well, I feel more flexibility in my knees, which noticeably helps how I recover after football.
Watch my YouTube video below on how simple things like a few minutes of daily sitting cross-legged can benefit overall knee function permanently!
Pain With Leg Extension at the Knee
Feeling sharp pain during a leg extension at the knee (like when using the gym machine)? This often signals irritation in the patellar tendon or poor kneecap tracking.
It doesn’t mean you have to avoid exercise altogether – but it does mean you need the right balance of strengthening, stretching, and sometimes manual therapy. Ignoring the pain can lead to longer-term issues like tendonitis or cartilage wear.
Do Knee Pain Patches Work?
You’ve probably seen patches for knee pain advertised everywhere. They promise quick comfort by warming or numbing the area. And yes, they can temporarily dull pain – but they don’t address why your knee hurts in the first place.
Think of patches as a short-term aid, not a solution. For lasting relief, the root cause (whether it’s sciatica, weak muscles, or poor mechanics) needs to be fixed.
Should You Use a Walking Stick Knee Pain?
A walking stick for knee pain can help reduce pressure on the joint and improve balance, especially if you’re recovering from injury or dealing with arthritis. But here’s the golden rule is ”use it on the opposite side of the painful knee”
That said, a stick is a tool, not the end goal. The real aim should be restoring knee strength and movement so you can walk confidently without support. After all, dependency is a weakness in itself.
Does Kinesiology Taping Help Knee Pain?
Yes – kinesiology taping for knee pain can sometimes:
Reduce swelling
Improve movement awareness
Ease discomfort during activity
But just like patches, taping is supportive – not curative. When used alongside strengthening, mobility training, and proper treatment, it can be a helpful extra tool. On its own, though, it won’t solve the problem.
Knee Support For Pain
Knee support for knee pain can be helpful in the short term- the Mueller Hg80 brace (as shown above), was one I personally used to good success. I felt confident wearing it as it would help limit too much ‘twisting’ in my knee during sport. A knee support may also ease discomfort, reduce swelling, and give you more confidence with movement. But it’s important to remember that knee supports don’t fix the root of the problem.
But we see knee pain as part of a bigger picture. Often it’s influenced by how your back, hips, and feet are working together. That’s why our focus is on restoring proper movement, strength, and alignment through chiropractic care, physiotherapy, massage, and tailored exercise.
Used wisely, knee support can give you relief while you stay active – but the real solution comes from addressing what’s causing the knee pain in the first place. That’s where we can help.
At Back to Health Wellness, we know that it doesn’t exist in isolation. That’s why our approach looks at the whole chain-
Back and sciatica issues that refer pain into the knee
Hip weakness or stiffness that overloads the joint
Foot and ankle mechanics that change knee alignment
We combine chiropractic care, physiotherapy, massage, and tailored posture-based exercise programs to not only relieve your knee pain but also prevent it from coming back.