Knee Pain Hamilton | Osteopath Assessment & Treatment | MotionPlus Osteo
Knee pain that won't settle on its own? We can help.
What We Offer
Basic Service
Knee pain is one of the most common complaints we see at MotionPlus Osteo in Hamilton — and one of the most frequently mismanaged. Whether it's a sharp pain under the kneecap when you squat, a dull ache that builds through the day, or a tendon that flares every time you try to get back into training, the knee rarely gets better with rest alone.
As ACC registered osteopaths in Hamilton, we assess and treat knee pain across the full spectrum — from acute injuries to long-standing conditions that haven't responded to other treatment. No GP referral required.
Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee) Pain at the front of the knee, just below the kneecap, typically worsened by jumping, squatting, or loading the leg. Patellar tendinopathy is particularly common in athletes — rugby players, netballers, basketball players, and CrossFit athletes in Hamilton — but also affects tradies and anyone who loads their knees heavily at work. Our approach centres on progressive tendon loading, including isometric exercises like the Spanish squat, which the research supports as an effective early-stage rehabilitation strategy.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome A broad term for pain around or behind the kneecap, often described as aching after prolonged sitting, going down stairs, or squatting. Patellofemoral pain is common in runners, cyclists, and desk workers. It typically responds well to a combination of manual therapy, hip strengthening, and load management.
Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) A sharp or burning pain on the outer knee, common in runners and cyclists. The IT band itself is rarely the sole culprit — hip weakness and running mechanics are usually contributing factors that need to be addressed for lasting resolution.
Knee osteoarthritis Degenerative change in the knee joint is more common than most people realise, and more manageable than most people expect. Current evidence strongly supports exercise-based management for knee OA — rest and avoidance typically make things worse, not better. We work with patients to build load tolerance and maintain function well into later life.
Meniscal irritation and ligament sprains Post-injury knee pain, whether from a sporting collision, a twist, or a fall, often benefits from osteopathic assessment to identify what structures are involved and establish an appropriate rehabilitation plan. As an ACC registered provider, we can lodge a claim directly at the clinic if your knee pain followed an injury.
Osgood-Schlatter disease Common in adolescents experiencing growth spurts, Osgood-Schlatter causes pain and swelling at the tibial tuberosity — the bony bump just below the kneecap. Load management and appropriate exercise prescription are the cornerstones of management.
How we assess and treat knee pain at MotionPlus Osteo
One of the most common mistakes in knee rehabilitation is avoiding load altogether. Tendons and cartilage need mechanical stimulus to adapt and recover — complete rest typically delays, not accelerates, recovery.
At MotionPlus Osteo, rehabilitation is progressive and purposeful. For tendon-related knee pain, we use a staged loading approach:
Isometric loading — sustained contractions at a fixed angle, such as the Spanish squat, to manage pain and restore quadriceps output in the early stage
Heavy slow resistance — leg press, knee extension, and squat variations with controlled tempo as load tolerance improves
Energy storage and return — hopping, bounding, and sport-specific plyometrics in the later stages of return to sport or work
This progression mirrors the current best practice guidelines for tendinopathy rehabilitation and produces consistently better outcomes than passive treatment alone.
A knee assessment at our Hamilton clinic goes beyond the knee itself. We look at:
Movement and loading patterns — how you squat, walk, run, or perform your sport or trade
Hip strength and control — weak glutes and hip abductors are a major driver of knee pain that is frequently overlooked
Ankle and foot mechanics — reduced ankle dorsiflexion, for example, forces the knee to compensate during squatting and landing
The knee joint itself — joint mobility, tendon integrity, and tissue quality around the kneecap and joint lineRehabilitation that actually loads the knee
ACC registered — no GP referral needed
ACC registered — no GP referral needed
MotionPlus Osteo is an ACC registered provider in Hamilton. If your knee pain followed a fall, collision, sporting injury, or workplace accident, we may be able to lodge an ACC claim directly at the clinic — no GP visit required before your first appointment.
If you're unsure whether your knee pain is ACC eligible, get in touch and we can talk it through before you book.MotionPlus Osteo is an ACC registered osteopathy clinic in Hamilton, New Zealand. Craig O'Connor provides assessment and treatment for knee pain, sports injuries, and musculoskeletal conditions across Hamilton, Te Rapa, and the wider Waikato region.