Runner’s Knee Treatment in Santa Fe: How Body In Motion Helps Runners Get Back on the Road

If you’re a runner dealing with persistent knee pain, you’re not alone. Runner’s knee, clinically known as patellofemoral pain syndrome, is one of the most common injuries among runners of all levels. At Body In Motion in Santa Fe, we take a sports-medicine approach to treating runner’s knee—focusing on the root cause, not just symptom relief—so you can return to running stronger and more resilient than before.

What Is Runner’s Knee?
Runner’s knee refers to pain around or behind the kneecap that often worsens with:

• Running downhill
• Going up or down stairs
• Squatting or kneeling
• Sitting for long periods with bent knees

This condition typically develops due to overuse, muscle imbalances, poor biomechanics, or inadequate strength and mobility in the hips, knees, and ankles.

Common Causes of Runner’s Knee in Runners
At Body In Motion, we frequently see runner’s knee caused by:

• Weak or poorly activated glutes and hips
• Tight quadriceps, IT band, or surrounding soft tissue
• Poor knee tracking during running
• Sudden increases in mileage or intensity
• Previous injuries that altered running mechanics

Treating runner’s knee effectively requires more than rest—it requires addressing how your body moves.

Integrated Sports Chiropractic & Physical Therapy for Runner’s Knee
At Body In Motion, we don't just treat the "pain"—we treat the athlete. Our programs focus on restoring proper movement and global biomechanics. By visiting a Sports Chiropractor in Santa Fe who understands the mechanics of a stride, you get a thorough evaluation of the entire kinetic chain. We design a plan to:

• Restore Joint Function: Use precise sports chiropractic adjustments to ensure the hip, knee, and ankle joints are moving with optimal "space."
• Improve Patellar Tracking: Align the lower extremity to ensure the kneecap glides smoothly during every mile.
• Enhance Rotational Capacity: Implement specialized drills (like the Knee CARs in the video above) to restore essential tibial rotation.
• Active Release Technique®: Target scar tissue and "stuck" muscles in the quads and IT band that pull the knee out of alignment.
• Correct Running Faults: Identify and fix the movement compensations that lead to inflammation and "Runner’s Knee" symptoms.

This integrated approach ensures your treatment matches your specific anatomy and your Santa Fe running goals—whether you're training for a 5k or a mountain ultra.
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Active Release Technique® (ART) for Runner’s Knee
Active Release Technique is a hands-on soft tissue treatment used to address tight muscles, adhesions, and restricted fascia that contribute to knee pain.
ART helps runners by:

• Releasing tension in the quadriceps, IT band, hamstrings, and calves
• Improving blood flow and tissue healing
• Restoring proper movement patterns
• Reducing pain faster than passive treatments alone

ART is especially effective for runners dealing with chronic or recurring knee pain.

Specific Strength Training to Build a More Resilient Knee
Pain relief is only part of the solution. To keep runner’s knee from coming back, we implement specific Personal Training designed for runners.
Our strength programs focus on:

• Glute and hip strengthening for better knee control
• Quadriceps and hamstring balance
• Core stability for efficient running mechanics
• Progressive loading to prepare your knee for running demands

This approach builds a stronger, more resilient knee that can tolerate mileage, speed, and terrain changes.

Why Runners in Santa Fe Choose Body In Motion
Runners trust Body In Motion because we:

• Use an evidence-based sports medicine approach
• Treat the root cause—not just symptoms
• Combine physical therapy, ART, and strength training
• Understand the demands of running
• Focus on long-term injury prevention and performance

Whether you’re training for a race or just want to run pain-free, our goal is to help you move better than before your injury.

Get Expert Runner’s Knee Treatment in Santa Fe
If knee pain is limiting your running, don’t wait for it to get worse. Early, targeted treatment leads to faster recovery and better long-term outcomes.
📍 Body In Motion – Santa Fe, NM
We help runners overcome runner’s knee and build durable, pain-free knees for life.

Author
​Dr. Bobby Sanchez

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