The Hidden Reason Your Knees Hurt

And How Massage Can Fix It

There’s nothing like the freedom of running—until pain takes that away. Whether it’s a dull ache or sharp discomfort, knee pain can quickly turn something you love into a frustrating battle. If you’ve tried stretching, icing, or even taking a break, only to have the pain return, you’re not alone. But what if the problem isn’t actually your knees?

Most knee issues don’t start in the knees at all. Tight muscles, restricted fascia, or imbalances in your hips, glutes, or ankles can put excessive strain on the knee joint, leading to pain and inflammation. The good news? Massage therapy can help correct these imbalances, reduce pain, and keep you running strong.

Why Knee Pain Doesn’t Start in Your Knees

Your body is a kinetic chain—meaning when one area is out of balance, other parts compensate. For runners, weak or tight muscles in the legs and core can force the knees to absorb more stress than they should. This leads to misalignment, improper movement patterns, and eventually pain.

Many runners rely on massage only after an injury, but regular massage therapy is one of the best ways to prevent knee pain from happening in the first place.

How Massage Can Fix Knee Pain and Keep You Running Strong

When done correctly, massage therapy goes beyond relaxation—it corrects dysfunctions and enhances recovery. Here’s how:

✅ Releases tight muscles – If your quads, hamstrings, or calves are too tight, they pull on the knee joint, leading to pain and discomfort. Massage loosens these tight areas, allowing proper movement.

✅ Restores balance and alignment – Muscle imbalances, especially between the quads and hamstrings, are a major cause of knee issues. A skilled massage therapist can identify and correct these imbalances, keeping your body in proper alignment.

✅ Reduces inflammation – Swelling and stiffness often come from overuse. Massage therapy improves circulation, bringing oxygen-rich blood to the area and speeding up healing.

✅ Increases mobility and flexibility – If your range of motion is limited, your joints take extra stress. Massage helps restore natural movement, so your knees don’t have to work harder than they should.

✅ Prevents future injuries – By maintaining healthy muscles and fascia, massage therapy ensures that small dysfunctions don’t turn into chronic problems.

The Best Time to Get a Massage for Knee Pain

If you wait until you’re in pain, you’re already one step behind. The best approach? Regular massage treatments to stay ahead of injuries. Whether you’re training for a marathon, running for fun, or dealing with lingering knee pain, massage can keep your body moving the way it was designed to—strong, pain-free, and efficient.

Your Knees Are Talking—Are You Listening?

Pain isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a message from your body. Ignoring it won’t make it go away. Instead of treating the symptom, let’s fix the root cause.

At Selina’s Therapy Center in Pacific Grove, we specialize in massage therapy that targets the source of pain, restoring balance and function so you can move without limitations.

Your knees aren’t the problem. They’re the symptom. Let’s fix it at the source.