Physical therapy for KNEE pain iN COSTA MESA

Knee pain can interfere with walking, running, exercising, and everyday movement. We help active individuals understand what's driving their symptoms and provide personalized rehabilitation to support long-term recovery and performance.

KNEE PAIN

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How we can help

Common causes

Patient stories

Next steps

FAQs

How we can Help

How Can Physical Therapy Help Knee Pain?

A patient is on the Alter-G Anti-Gravity treadmill under the supervision of a physical therapist.

Physical therapy can help reduce knee pain, restore strength and mobility, improve movement quality, and get you back to the activities you enjoy. At Cuirim Sports Recovery, we work with youth, high school, collegiate, and competitive athletes, active adults, older adults, and individuals recovering from knee surgery. Whether your knee pain developed from sports, overuse, arthritis, or an injury, our goal is to help you move with confidence again.

Every patient is different, so we perform a comprehensive evaluation to identify strength deficits, mobility restrictions, movement impairments, and biomechanical factors contributing to your knee pain. We assess movement patterns such as squatting, jumping, landing, running, and cutting, while using objective strength and force testing to guide treatment and monitor your progress.

The key metrics we track include quadriceps and hamstring strength symmetry, hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio, weight-bearing symmetry, force production during jumping and landing, hop test performance, and movement quality. These objective measurements help us guide rehabilitation, reduce your risk of re-injury, and determine when you're ready to safely return to sport or everyday activities.

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How We can Help

Our Approach to Knee Pain Relief

  • VALD FORCE DECKS

    VALD FORCE DECKS

    To measure force production, landing mechanics, and weight-bearing symmetry during functional movements, identify movement deficits, track progress throughout rehabilitation, and determine readiness for higher-level activities and return to sport.

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  • CUPPING

    CUPPING THERAPY

    To reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, relieve pain, and improve mobility throughout the muscles surrounding the knee, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and IT band.

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  • AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill

    ALTERG ANTI-GRAVITY TREADMILL

    To reduce stress on the knee while walking and running, restore a normal gait pattern, gradually increase weight-bearing tolerance, and safely progress patients back to running and sport.

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  • Blood Flow Restriction (BFR)

    BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION (BFR)

    To improve muscle strength and minimize quadriceps atrophy while using lighter exercise loads, allowing patients to build strength safely when pain, surgery, or weight-bearing restrictions limit traditional training.

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  • NormaTec Compression Boots

    NORMATEC COMPRESSION BOOTS

    To improve circulation, reduce swelling and muscle soreness, promote recovery after activity or rehabilitation sessions, and help patients recover more comfortably between treatments.

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  • Graston (IASTM)

    GRASTON (IASTM)

    To address soft tissue restrictions, improve tissue mobility, reduce scar tissue, and restore normal movement throughout the muscles and connective tissues surrounding the knee.

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  • VALD Dynamometry

    VALD DYNAMOMETRY

    To objectively measure quadriceps, hamstring, and hip strength, identify side-to-side deficits, monitor progress throughout rehabilitation, and ensure strength symmetry before returning to sport or higher-level activities.

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  • Manual Therapy

    HANDS-ON MANUAL THERAPY

    Including joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, stretching, and other skilled techniques to improve knee mobility, reduce pain, restore normal movement, and improve overall function.

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  • Personalized Rehab Program

    PERSONALIZED REHAB PROGRAM

    Tailored to your specific diagnosis, goals, and activity level to improve knee mobility, strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calf muscles, improve movement mechanics and stability, reduce pain, and help you safely return to work, exercise, and sport.

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“Among American adults, approximately 25% have experienced knee pain that affects the function of their knee.”

A pie chart with four segments, three large white segments, and a smaller light blue segment.

Source: APTA

Common causes

Why Does My Knee Hurt?

Knee pain can develop from overuse, injury, muscle imbalances, mobility restrictions, or age-related changes within the joint. Whether symptoms came on gradually or after a specific incident, identifying the source of the problem is key to lasting relief.

  • Runner's Knee

    RUNNER'S KNEE

    Also known as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, runner’s knee is irritation around or behind the kneecap can cause pain with running, squatting, stairs, prolonged sitting, or other repetitive activities.

  • Knee Osteoarthritis

    KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

    Wear and tear within the knee joint can lead to pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty with walking, standing, or daily activities.

  • Meniscus Injury

    MENISCUS INJURY

    The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that helps cushion the knee. A tear can cause pain, swelling, clicking, catching, or difficulty fully bending and straightening the knee.

  • Ligament Injuries (ACL, MCL, PCL, LCL)

    LIGAMENT INJURIES (ACL, MCL, PCL, LCL)

    Damage to one of the knee's stabilizing ligaments can occur during sports, sudden changes in direction, falls, or awkward movements, often causing pain, instability, and swelling.

  • Tendon Irritation

    TENDON IRRITATION

    Patellar or quadriceps tendinopathy, the overuse of the tendons around the knee can lead to pain during jumping, running, squatting, or other repetitive activities that place stress on the joint.

  • Stronger Every Session

    “I can’t thank this training place enough. When I came in, my knee was still bothering me, but they worked with me every step of the way. The physical therapist really knows what they’re doing and made sure I got stronger and more confident each session. Now I’m back to 100% and feeling better than ever. Highly recommend to anyone recovering from an injury or trying to get back to top shape.”

    —Aydan Steen

  • Trusted Care That Delivers

    “I can’t say enough good things about Pat and his team! I came in with a bad knee that had been bothering me for a while, and they helped me get back to feeling like myself again. The whole staff is fantastic, so kind, patient, and really knows what they’re doing. They make you feel comfortable the moment you walk in, and you can tell they truly care about their patients. My knee feels so much better now, and I’m so grateful for all their help.”

    —Niki Bostick

  • More Than Just Recovery

    “Through 2 years of rehabbing a knee injury at curium, I got to experience how Patrick and his team combine high quality physical therapy and the feeling of family with genuine care for their patients. I wouldn’t be back doing all the things I love to do without curium and as much as I pray to never have to go back to physical therapy, I wouldn’t trade my experiences at curium for anywhere else.”

    —Peyton Tingley

Next Steps

Your Next Steps

You don’t have to stop being active because of knee pain. Taking action early can help you recover faster and prevent further strain.

An initial evaluation conversation between a physical therapist and patient.

01.

Schedule Your Evaluation

A woman sitting on a treatment table in a medical office, talking to a man seated on a rolling chair, both smiling.

02.

Review New Patient FAQ’s

Personalized exercise portion of a physical therapy session at Cuirim Sports Recovery.

03.

Attend Your First Visit

A man running and lifting his knee in front of a colorful sports-themed mural on a blue wall.

04.

Start Moving Pain-Free

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Signs like persistent swelling, instability, sharp pain, or catching and locking sensations may indicate a more significant issue. If symptoms aren’t improving or are limiting your activity, it’s best to have it evaluated.

    Give us a call to find out more.

  • This sensation can be caused by ligament involvement or a lack of muscular support around the knee. Weakness or delayed muscle activation can make it harder to control the joint during movement.

  • Recovery time varies depending on the cause and how it’s treated. With the right combination of mobility, strength, and movement correction, many people begin to see improvement within a few weeks.

  • Yes, targeted strengthening, especially for the quadriceps, glutes, and surrounding stabilizers, is one of the most effective ways to reduce pain and improve knee function long term.