Schedule Your runner’s Knee Evaluation in Cincinnati Today
$49 Discovery Session at Simply Well Chiropractic
Non-Invasive | FDA-Cleared
Runner’s knee can turn every mile, staircase, or squat into a sharp reminder that something is wrong with your knee. At Simply Well Chiropractic in Cincinnati, we combine SoftWave Therapy, chiropractic care, and runner‑specific rehab to treat runner’s knee at the source so you can return to pain‑free running with confidence.
What Is Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)?
Runner’s knee (also called patellofemoral pain syndrome) describes pain at the front of the knee, usually around or behind the kneecap where it meets the thigh bone. It is common in runners and athletes, but it can also affect walkers, hikers, and active adults who load the knee repeatedly.
Typical symptoms include:
- Dull, aching pain at the front of the knee
- Pain or stiffness when going up or down stairs, squatting, or kneeling
- Discomfort when sitting with knees bent for long periods (car rides, desk work, movies)
- Swelling after runs or workouts
- Popping, cracking, or “grinding” around the kneecap when you bend or straighten the knee
If these symptoms are starting to change how you move—or you are avoiding runs, hills, or workouts altogether—it is time to get your knee evaluated.
Do I Have Runner’s Knee or Something Else?
Several different knee problems can look like runner’s knee at first, including patellar tendinitis (jumper’s knee), knee bursitis, and early osteoarthritis. A proper diagnosis matters because treatment and recovery timelines are different for each condition.
During your evaluation at Simply Well Chiropractic in Cincinnati, we will:
- Take a detailed history of your pain, training, and previous injuries
- Perform a hands‑on orthopedic and movement exam to see what aggravates your symptoms
- Screen for red flags that might indicate a more serious issue or the need for imaging
If your symptoms are better explained by patellar tendinitis, knee bursitis, or another
Why Runner’s Knee Happens
Runner’s knee usually develops from a mix of training stress and movement imbalances rather than a single traumatic injury. Contributing factors often include:
Sudden increases in mileage, hills, or intensity
Weakness in the hips, glutes, or core
Tight tissues in the quadriceps, IT band, or calf
Poor running mechanics or worn‑out shoes
Prior knee injuries that never fully resolved
These issues can cause the kneecap to track poorly and irritate the surrounding tissues, leading to ongoing pain and inflammation.
Standard Runner’s Knee Treatment Options
Most traditional treatment plans for runner’s knee start conservatively and focus on calming pain and improving mechanics. Common strategies include:
- Activity modification (reducing or temporarily stopping painful running and jumping)
- R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation) to control pain and swelling
- Non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation, when appropriate
- Physical therapy to improve hip and quad strength, flexibility, and movement patterns
- Taping, bracing, or orthotics when alignment or foot mechanics are contributing to stress at the knee
- Surgery for runner’s knee is rarely needed and is usually reserved for severe cases that do not respond to conservative care.
At Simply Well Chiropractic, we include many of these evidence‑based principles—but we also add SoftWave Therapy to accelerate tissue healing when standard rest and PT are not enough.
How SoftWave Therapy Supports Runner’s Knee Recovery
SoftWave Therapy is an FDA‑cleared, non‑invasive technology that uses unfocused, high‑energy sound waves (extracorporeal shockwaves) to stimulate your body’s natural healing response. It targets the tissues most commonly involved in runner’s knee, including the patellar tendon, quadriceps tendon, and structures around the kneecap.
For runner’s knee, SoftWave Therapy can help:
- Reduce stubborn pain in and around the kneecap that has not improved with rest, ice, or over‑the‑counter medications
- Improve circulation and cellular activity in stressed tendons and soft tissues
- Break the cycle of chronic inflammation that keeps the knee sore and swollen
- Make rehab more comfortable so you can regain strength and control without flaring up your symptoms
There are no injections or incisions, and downtime is minimal, which is especially valuable for runners who want to stay as active as safely possible while they heal.
Ready To Move Without Knee Pain from runners knee?
Reclaim your miles without knee pain. Schedule your SoftWave runner’s knee evaluation at Simply Well Chiropractic in Cincinnati today and get a clear, personalized plan to return to pain‑free running.
How SoftWave Therapy Helps Runner’s Knee
At Simply Well Chiropractic, we use SoftWave Therapy to target the structures that most often drive runner’s knee. Treatment can help:
Calm irritated tissues
- Reduce pain in the patellar tendon, quadriceps tendon, and tissues around the kneecap.
- Address stubborn pain that has not improved with rest, ice, or over‑the‑counter medications.
Improve circulation and tissue repair
- Enhance blood flow to areas with poor circulation and delayed healing.
- Support repair in tendons and soft tissues stressed by repetitive running.
Break the cycle of chronic inflammation
- Disrupt low‑grade, persistent inflammation that keeps the knee sore and swollen.
- Shift tissues out of a “stuck” chronic state and back into active healing.
Support better movement and mechanics
- When combined with corrective exercise, SoftWave can make it more comfortable to restore hip strength, knee control, and running form.
What to Expect at Your Runner’s Knee Visit in Cincinnati
Your visit is designed around runners and active adults, not a one‑size‑fits‑all knee protocol.
- History and movement assessment
We talk through your pain, training schedule, race goals, and any previous injuries, then assess how your knee moves with squats, step‑downs, and running‑related motions. - SoftWave mapping of the knee
Using the SoftWave device, we scan around the kneecap, patellar tendon, quadriceps, and IT band to identify “hot spots” of tissue irritation. - Targeted SoftWave treatment
We apply focused pulses of sound waves to the irritated tissues; you may feel brief, sharp sensations where the tissue is most reactive, and we adjust intensity to your comfort. - Personalized rehab and return‑to‑run plan
You receive clear guidance on what to change in your training right now, plus a progressive plan to rebuild hip and quad strength, knee control, and efficient running form.
Many runners notice changes in pain and function within the first few sessions, while deeper tissue healing continues over a series of treatment
Cincinnati’s trusted softwave provider
Dr. Faith Swartzendruber is a licensed chiropractor and SoftWave Therapy provider in Cincinnati, Ohio, with a special focus on helping runners and active adults overcome stubborn knee pain. She earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2022 and holds an active Ohio chiropractic license (DC‑05144).
By integrating SoftWave Therapy, chiropractic care, and runner‑specific rehab, Dr. Faith has helped hundreds of Cincinnati‑area patients move with less pain and return to the activities they love.
Dr. Faith earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2022.
She holds Ohio chiropractic license (DC-05144).
Dr. Faith Swartzendruber, DC, integrates her SoftWave Therapy training and chiropractic license with her education background to deliver SoftWave treatments that are both clinically informed and patient-centered.
Dr. Faith has helped hundreds of Cincinnati patients overcome chronic pain with SoftWave Therapy and chiropractic care.
Can I Keep Running With Runner’s Knee?
Stopping all activity is not always necessary—but the right kind of modification is crucial. In many cases, we help you:
- Adjust mileage, speed, and hill volume
- Switch temporarily to lower‑impact options like cycling or pool running
- Use step‑downs, walk‑run intervals, and form drills to keep you moving safely
Our goal is to maintain as much fitness as we can while your knee heals, without continually aggravating the injured tissues.ew sessions, while deeper tissue healing continues over a series of treatments.
Is SoftWave Therapy Right for Your Runner’s Knee?
SoftWave Therapy may be a good fit if:
- Rest, ice, and standard home care have not fully resolved your knee pain
- You keep having to cut runs short because of pain at the front of your knee
- You want to avoid injections or surgery if possible
- You need a clear, runner‑focused plan instead of generic “just stop running” advice
Not every knee problem is runner’s knee, and not everyone is a candidate for SoftWave; your first visit is where we make those distinctions and outline your options
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule Your $49 Runner’s Knee Discovery Session in Cincinnati
If knee pain is holding you back from the miles, races, or everyday activities you enjoy, you do not have to just wait it out. At Simply Well Chiropractic in Cincinnati, we offer a $49 Discovery Session for runners and active adults dealing with knee pain, including suspected runner’s knee.
During this visit you will receive:
- A focused knee and movement evaluation
- SoftWave mapping to see how your knee responds
- A clear explanation of what is likely driving your pain
- A step‑by‑step plan for treatment, rehab, and return to running
Click below to schedule your runner’s knee evaluation today and take the next step toward strong, confident, pain‑free running in Cincinnati.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Faith Swartzendruber, DC
Ohio Chiropractic License: DC-05144 | Palmer College of Chiropractic
Founder, Simply Well Chiropractic, Cincinnati