Knee Pain treatment in Cheltenham
Expert physiotherapy for knee injuries, arthritis and patella tendonitis
Common Causes of Knee Injuries
Knee pain can make everyday activities feel harder than they should — whether it’s discomfort when walking, stiffness after sitting, or sharp pain during exercise. It often develops from common issues such as arthritis, patellofemoral pain, meniscus irritation, ligament strains, tendonitis or simple muscle imbalance. These problems can build gradually or appear suddenly after an awkward twist, overuse, or a change in how the knee moves.
Why Use Straight Back Physio
At Straight Back Physio, our HCPC‑registered physiotherapists focus on reducing knee pain, restoring comfortable movement and rebuilding strength so your knee feels stable and supported again. Every treatment plan is tailored to your specific injury and goals, combining hands‑on physiotherapy with targeted exercises that make walking, climbing stairs and daily life easier. Whether your knee pain is new or something you’ve been managing for a long time, we guide you through a clear, structured recovery that helps you move confidently again. No rushing, no jargon, no pressure — just expert guidance and a plan that genuinely makes sense.
Clear guidance. No rushing. No jargon
At Straight Back Physio, you get a thorough assessment, hands‑on treatment, and from your very first session, you’ll know what’s causing your knee pain, what’s safe, and how we’ll help you get back to moving confidently again. No rushing, no scary medical jargon — just expert guidance and steady progress you can feel.
“Straight Back Physio treated the root cause of my knee issue, not just the symptoms. I was also given exercises and advice to build on the treatment at home. My knee now feels great and I’m back training and racing. I would definitely recommend Straight Back Physio!”
David H
Types of knee pain
Anterior knee pain
Knee injuries in sports are common. Anterior Knee Pain is a general term used to describe pain originating from the structures at the front of your knee. The most common structures that cause pain in this area are the joint between your knee cap and your thigh bone, and the patella tendon which attaches your thigh muscles to the bone, just below the knee cap. It is usually linked to overuse rather than injury and is often seen in young sporting adults, although anyone can be affected.
Manual therapy can help correct the alignment of the knee joint and
acupuncture is effective at reducing inflammation and pain, short-term pain reduction in 2-4 weeks, noticeable improvement generally takes 6-8 weeks, but a full recovery usually takes over 3 months.
Knee Bursitis
Sometimes referred to as housemaid's knee, bursae are small fluid filled sacs that reduce friction between moving parts of the body's joints, and bursitis is inflammation or irritation of the bursae in the knee.
There are many causes including a heavy blow to the knee, jobs that require long periods of kneeling, fungal or bacterial infection, rheumatoid arthritis, prolonged periods working in front of a computer, and playing sports where a lot of pressure is placed on the knee joint such as football or squash.
Physiotherapy treatment for knee bursitis can reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee, and restore mobility in the knee, short-term pain reduction in 1-2 weeks, noticeable improvement takes 3-6 weeks, but a full recovery usually takes 6-12 weeks.
Knee cartilage damage
The menisci and articular cartilage don’t have their own nerve supply (which transmits pain) however normally when the cartilage is damaged, surrounding structures are damaged too, causing pain. Knee joint cartilage damage is often due to a trauma where you twist your knee while your foot is planted and knees are bent as in squash, but it can also be due to repeated wear and tear of the meniscal cartilage as you get older.
Physiotherapy is often recommended as a non-invasive treatment so that surgery can be avoided, but it is also required after knee cartilage surgery. Manual therapy helps to stretch out the tension in the soft tissue surrounding your knee, and reduces swelling. Acupuncture helps reduce pain and inflammation in the healing knee cartilage, short-term pain reduction in 2-4 weeks, noticeable improvement takes 6-12 weeks, but a full recovery usually takes 3-6 months.
Knee ligament injury
Knee ligaments are like ropes made up of lots of thin collagen fibres that are bunched in groups to form the ligament. If a force exceeds the strength of the knee ligament it can tear causing pain and inflammation. Ligament damage may be caused by trauma, such as a car accident, or by a blow, stretching or twisting of the knee in sports such as a football tackle, but can also be caused from a fall or twisting when stepping down from a step.
Physiotherapy treatment focuses on strengthening muscles, while restoring mobility as the ligament heals. Massage applies deep pressure on the ligament causing new scar tissue and enabling it to heal, manual therapy helps to reduce pain and improve joint mobility, acupuncture can decrease inflammation and pain, and shockwave therapy can promote healing of ligaments and reducing pain. Pilates is good at strengthening and aligning the knee muscles, and improving mobility, mild ones see improvement in 1-2 weeks with full recovery in 2-4 weeks, moderate ones take 6-12 weeks for full recovery.
Patellar tendonitis
Also known as jumpers knee is a relatively common soft tissue injury, it can occur in sports that mainly involve running and jumping such as tennis and football, but can be seen with too much weighted squats and hill running. It is classed as an overuse injury that occurs when the tendon is unable to adapt to the level of strain placed on it causing tendon fiber damage.
Patellar tendonitis treatment includes manual therapy to improve movement, reduce muscle stiffness, and soft tissue massage. Rehabilitation exercises based on loading and muscle strength to correct weaknesses and imbalances in the muscles. Acupuncture can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. Certain exercises in Pilates can help reduce inflammation and bring back normal tendon function. Shockwave therapy is an effective treatment for all soft tissue injuries, short-term pain reduction in 2-4 weeks, noticeable improvement takes 6-8 weeks, but a full recovery can take 3-4 months.
Why Choose Us
No other local physiotherapy clinic can match our level of expertise and rehabilitation services, thanks to our extensive experience and in-house gym facilities.
We offer affordable physiotherapy in Cheltenham, providing caring, high‑quality treatment that supports your recovery without stretching your budget.
Insured
For insured clients we can either work directly with your insurance provider or offer receipts for cash-based plans, allowing you to reclaim your expenses.
Not Covered by Insurance
If you’re looking for one of the most trusted physiotherapists in your area, you’re welcome to book an appointment at our Cheltenham clinic — no need for a physiotherapy referral from your GP.