Why Won't My Back, Hip or Knee Pain Go Away?

Have you ever found yourself thinking,

"I thought this pain would have gone by now."

Perhaps you've taken painkillers.

You've been doing your exercises.

You've had physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment or osteopathy.

Maybe you've even had an X-ray or MRI scan.

Yet your back, hip or knee still hurts.

If that sounds familiar, you're certainly not alone.

One of the things I enjoy most about osteopathy is helping people understand why their recovery has slowed down. In many cases, the answer isn't simply found where it hurts.

Here's what I've found.

Why am I still in pain after taking painkillers or having injections?

Painkillers can be very helpful for reducing pain and inflammation, particularly during the early stages of an injury.

However, they don't address the reason your body has become overloaded in the first place.

Many people tell me that the medication helps for a while, only for the pain to return once it wears off.

That doesn't necessarily mean anything serious is happening.

It may simply mean the underlying cause hasn't yet been identified.

Pain relief can make life more comfortable, but understanding why the pain is persisting often requires a closer look at how your body is moving.

Why am I still in pain despite doing my exercises?

This can be one of the most frustrating situations.

You've been committed.

You've followed the advice you've been given.

You've done the exercises.

Yet the pain still hasn't settled.

It doesn't necessarily mean the exercises were wrong.

Sometimes your body has adapted around an old injury or developed movement patterns that quietly place extra strain on your back, hips or knees every day.

The body is remarkably good at compensating to keep us moving.

For a while, those compensations work well.

Eventually, they can begin to overload another part of the body.

If those movement patterns haven't been identified, the painful area may continue working harder than it needs to, despite your best efforts.

Why am I still in pain after physiotherapy, chiropractic or osteopathy?

This is another question I hear regularly.

The first thing I'd say is that treatment isn't always about finding the "right" profession.

Physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths all help people with back, hip and knee pain.

Sometimes a particular approach is exactly what's needed.

Sometimes another perspective can uncover something that hasn't previously been explored.

Every practitioner also brings their own experience and way of assessing movement.

When I assess someone with persistent pain, I don't just examine where it hurts.

I'm interested in understanding what may be making that area work harder than it needs to.

That means looking beyond the painful joint.

I'll assess the joints above and below, compare both sides of your body and look at how everything is working together.

Sometimes the painful area is compensating for something happening elsewhere.

Sometimes it isn't.

The important thing is taking the time to find out.

Why am I still in pain when my MRI or X-ray hasn't got worse?

Many people arrive carrying a scan report.

They've been told they have arthritis.

A meniscus tear.

Disc changes.

Or tendon wear.

Having a diagnosis can be reassuring because it explains what the scan has found.

But many people are still left asking:

"If these scan findings are common for my age, why am I still struggling?"

Scans are excellent at showing us what structures look like.

They don't always explain why one part of the body continues to feel painful despite medication or treatment.

That's because scans cannot show us how you're moving.

They don't tell us whether one hip is working harder than the other.

They don't show how your feet and ankles are influencing your knees.

They don't reveal the movement patterns your body has developed over time.

That's where a thorough clinical assessment can provide valuable information.

A more effective approach for persistent back, hip and knee pain

If pain has been lingering for weeks or months, I believe it's important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

During an Initial Consultation, I'll take time to understand your story before carrying out a detailed movement assessment.

I'll assess:

• How your symptoms began.

• What activities make them better or worse.

• How your back, hips, knees, feet and ankles are moving.

• Whether one side of your body is working differently from the other.

• Movement patterns that may be placing unnecessary strain on the painful area.

I'll explain what I find in clear, straightforward language so that you understand what's happening and why.

If I feel further investigations, such as more recent imaging, would be helpful, we'll discuss that together.

Sometimes understanding why your progress has slowed is the first step towards moving more comfortably again.

If you've been struggling with persistent back, hip or knee pain and feel you've reached a plateau, I'd be delighted to help.

Book an Initial Consultation

If you're ready to understand why your pain may not be settling as expected, you can book an Initial Consultation with me online or call our friendly team on 020 8991 5280.

I look forward to meeting you.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If your symptoms are severe, worsening, changing unexpectedly or causing concern, please seek advice from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.