What happens when your back starts hurting while you're healing a knee injury?

It’s a situation we encounter often at our clinics. One of our patients recently came in for knee pain she’d been managing well, but suddenly, her low back began flaring up. 

One of our team members asked, “Her knee is getting better—can we start treating her back too?”

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Your Body Isn’t Just a Diagnosis

Our immediate response to that question? Absolutely. We’ve seen time and again how closely the hip, knee, and lower back are connected. If the hip is weak, the knee compensates. If the hip is weak, the back compensates. The result? Stress, strain, and new pain that may not be in the area of the original diagnosis.

But here’s where it gets tricky. Insurance companies often require us to treat based solely on the diagnosis they approved. So if the diagnosis is “knee pain,” and we start working on the low back—even if it’s clearly related—that can raise red flags. It might even result in denial of coverage.

And this can be frustrating for both patients and therapists. Because pain doesn’t follow insurance codes. It follows the body’s interconnected systems.

The Labels We Carry—And Why They Don’t Define You

We often hear patients say things like:

• “I have scoliosis.”
• “I’ve got a torn labrum.”
• “My MRI shows a herniated disc.”
  
  

These words carry weight. They become identities. We see it all the time in our clinic. Patients come in defeated, thinking their condition is permanent. But here’s a truth we wish more people knew: a diagnosis doesn’t always reflect what you’re truly experiencing—or what you're capable of overcoming.

Did you know that up to 80% of asymptomatic adults show signs of disc degeneration or herniation on an MRI?¹ And yet, they feel no pain. What you see on paper doesn’t always match what’s happening in your body. That’s why we look beyond the diagnosis.

Our Approach: Treating the Root Cause, Not Just the Code

As movement experts, we focus on how the body functions—not just where it hurts. Whether you’re coming in with knee pain, back pain, or a combination of both, our goal is to understand how your entire system is working together (or not).

The Real Power Lies in Progress

The truth is, bodies are dynamic and adaptable. A labral tear might sound scary, but it doesn’t always mean surgery. A disc herniation doesn’t mean you’ll live in pain forever. What matters most is how you move, how you feel, and how we can help you build strength and confidence again.

Don’t let the diagnosis defeat you. 

Let’s work together to uncover the real issue—and resolve it. Call us today at 212-222-6525 or request your first visit online.

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