Knee Pain Treatment in Sunbury
- Julian Simpson
- Jun 17
- 4 min read
Written by Dr Julian Simpson — Chiropractor with 15+ years of experience, Board Member of the Chiropractic Australia Research Foundation, and author/reviewer of 800+ health articles.
Knee osteoarthritis can make everyday movement feel harder than it should, whether you are heading into the Sunbury town centre, walking the local trails, or simply getting up after sitting for a while. It is a common, progressive condition that can affect mobility, comfort, and quality of life.
Research suggests osteoarthritis rates may double globally because of ageing and rising obesity levels, which is why practical treatment options matter more than ever.
What Is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis is a wear-and-tear joint condition where the cartilage in the knee gradually breaks down. This can lead to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced movement.
Common symptoms include:
Pain when walking, climbing stairs, or standing.
Stiffness after rest.
Trouble rising from a chair.
Reduced confidence with daily activities.
Because the knee is a weight-bearing joint, it often becomes one of the most affected areas.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Pain is usually the main reason people seek care for osteoarthritis. Early management can help reduce symptoms, support movement, and protect quality of life.
Typical treatment options include:
Exercise therapy.
Weight management.
Strength training.
Oral or topical anti-inflammatory medicines.
Corticosteroid injections.
Hot and cold therapy.
Other biomechanical supports.
However, relief is not always long-lasting, and many people experience pain returning over time.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy, often called ESWT, is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves to stimulate healing in soft tissue and joints. It has been used for a range of musculoskeletal conditions and is increasingly studied for knee osteoarthritis.
There are two main types:
Focused shockwave therapy, which reaches deeper tissues.
Radial shockwave therapy, which spreads more superficially over a wider area.
For knee osteoarthritis, focused shockwave is of particular interest because it may better target deeper structures around the joint.
What the Study Found
Pain scores
Before treatment, pain was higher in the shockwave group: 6.81 ± 1.50 versus 3.90 ± 2.69in the control group.
After treatment, pain improved to 5.45 ± 2.62 in the shockwave group and 4.25 ± 2.61 in the control group.
The shockwave group showed a significant reduction in pain over time (P = 0.013).
Overall, shockwave therapy performed better than control for pain relief (P = 0.005).
Daily activities
The shockwave group also improved in activities of daily living:
Activities of daily living score improved significantly in the shockwave group (P = 0.01).
No significant improvement was seen in the control group (P = 0.90).
Quality of life
Knee-related quality of life improved in the shockwave group:
Significant improvement in the shockwave group (P = 0.003).
No meaningful change in the control group (P = 0.72).
Symptoms
Both groups improved in symptom scores, but the difference between them was not significant.
How Shockwave May Help
The exact mechanism is still being studied, but researchers believe shockwave therapy may:
Reduce tissue irritation.
Support cartilage cell activity.
Decrease cartilage breakdown.
Promote local healing responses.
Improve function and comfort over time.
In simple terms, it may help the knee work better rather than just dulling the pain.
Who May Benefit From Shockwave For Knee Pain
Shockwave therapy may be worth considering if you:
Have mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.
Want a non-surgical treatment option.
Are still struggling with pain despite standard care.
Want to stay active around Sunbury without your knees constantly slowing you down.
It may be especially relevant for people who want to keep moving through daily life, whether that means work, family commitments, or regular walking.
Sunbury Local Care
For many people in Sunbury, knee pain can interfere with ordinary routines like walking around the neighbourhood, commuting, or keeping up with family and work demands. A personalised treatment approach can make a real difference when simple self-care is no longer enough.
If you are exploring treatment options for knee osteoarthritis, a consultation can help determine whether shockwave therapy is suitable for your needs.
Book an Appointment
If knee pain is limiting your movement, our Sunbury clinic is here to help with evidence-based care tailored to your goals.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
At Health Wise Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive approach to posture-related care.
Treatment may include:
We focus on addressing both the symptoms and the underlying biomechanical stress contributing to neck dysfunction.
About the Author
Dr Julian Simpson is an Australian chiropractor with over 15 years of experience in musculoskeletal healthcare and rehabilitation.
He is a Board Member of the Chiropractic Australia Research Foundation and has reviewed and written more than 800 evidence-based health articles focused on spinal health, rehabilitation, sports injuries and conservative care approaches.
His treatment focus includes:
Chiropractic adjustments
Sports chiropractic
Massage therapy
Shockwave therapy
Laser therapy
Non-surgical spinal decompression
Dr Simpson provides patient care through Healthwise Chiropractic, serving communities including Sunbury, Melton, Diggers Rest and surrounding regions.
Reference
Vahdatpour B, Mortazavi FS, Haghighat S, Saleki Mehrjerdi M, Mortazavi ZS. The Efficacy of Focused Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for the Knee Osteoarthritis: A Clinical Trial Study. Adv Biomed Res. 2025 Jul 21;14:56. doi: 10.4103/abr.abr_202_21. PMID: 40862177; PMCID: PMC12373052.
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