PT Insight: Why Your Knees Hurt Because of Your Spine

Featuring Dr. Aaron Price, PT, DPT

Dr. Price specializes in treating knee pain in athletes — but he says the knee is rarely the true problem.

🦵 The Spine–Pelvis–Knee Chain

The knee is a hinge joint trapped between two major mobile structures:

• The hips
• The ankles

When either is stiff, the knee absorbs forces it was never designed for.

🧩 Hidden Causes of Knee Pain (According to Dr. Price)

1️⃣ Rotated pelvis → changes knee tracking

2️⃣ Tight psoas or QL → uneven pressure on knees

3️⃣ Weak glutes → knee collapses inward (valgus)

4️⃣ Thoracic stiffness → reduces shock absorption

5️⃣ Foot pronation → knee caves inward

🛠️ Dr. Price’s Knee Reset Flow

1️⃣ Pelvic realignment: 90/90 breathing

2️⃣ Hip stability: banded glute bridges

3️⃣ Foot tripod: barefoot balance

4️⃣ Spine mobility: cat-cow + T-spine rotation

5️⃣ Knee patterning: slow, controlled squats

“Fixing the knee without fixing the spine is like fixing the roof without checking the foundation.”