Injuries
Sprains, dislocations, fractures and direct impacts can affect the joint or the tissue around it. Some swell at once, others later.
Joint Pain Relief in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
A stiff hip, a swollen knee or a sore wrist can turn a walk or a tennis match into a calculation. We find which structures are involved and plan around the activities you want back.
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- Hands-on joint and movement exam
The short answer
Joint pain is pain in or around a joint, from an injury, repeated use or wear-related changes such as osteoarthritis. At True Performance in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, we examine the joint and the areas that load it. Then we use extremity adjustments, Class IV laser therapy, near-infrared light and PEMF therapy to help you move with less pain.
Overview
Why does one joint hurt when I feel fine otherwise?
You may wonder whether your knee will handle a trail walk, your shoulder a tennis match, or your hip a round of golf. Joint pain turns plans into questions.
A sore joint rarely works alone. Stiffness at the hip, ankle, upper back or shoulder blade can change how force reaches the joint that hurts.
What does care look like here?
We ask when it started, which motions bring it on and whether you notice swelling, stiffness or weakness. Then we check the joint, the muscles around it and the areas that feed it load.
Many plans include adjustments for the joints of your arms and legs, paced to what the joint tolerates now.
Understanding
What is joint pain?
Joint pain is pain in or around a joint, where cartilage, ligaments, tendons, muscles and fluid-filled sacs let you bend, twist and carry weight. Several structures cause similar pain, so the pattern matters. Pain with movement, stiffness after rest and swelling each point in different directions.
What is actually happening
An injury, overuse or wear irritates the joint or its tissues.
Swelling, stiffness or weakness changes how the joint moves.
Nearby areas compensate, and the load shifts back onto the joint.
Who this usually affects
- Runners, golfers, riders and racquet players
- Adults with osteoarthritis stiffness
- Desk workers with wrist or shoulder strain
- Anyone recovering from a sprain or dislocation
When it is something else
- A hot, red, swollen joint with fever: see a physician first
- New pain in several joints with a rash: medical workup
- A deformed joint or one you cannot use: emergency care
The re-check
We re-check range of motion, strength and the tasks that hurt as you progress. If the joint is not responding, we change the plan or refer you for imaging.
Symptoms
Symptoms of joint pain
- Aching, sharp or throbbing pain
- Stiffness after rest
- Swelling around the joint
- Redness or warmth
- Tenderness to touch
- Reduced range of motion
- Weakness or a feeling of instability
- Pain when bearing weight
- Pain with gripping, reaching or bending
- Pain that builds after repetitive activity
Causes
Common causes
Overuse and repetitive motion
Throwing, gripping, running and swinging put the same joint under load again and again.
Osteoarthritis
Wear-related changes cause aching, stiffness and swelling, especially after activity or rest. Imaging does not always match the pain.
Posture and movement habits
A stiff hip, ankle or shoulder blade can change how pressure travels to the joint that hurts.
Our approach
How our care works
We treat joint pain by matching care to the structures involved and the load the joint tolerates now. Care can combine extremity adjustments, Class IV laser therapy, near-infrared light and PEMF therapy, with performance training for athletes and a regenerative therapies consultation when you want to explore that option.
Extremity adjustments
Adjustments and mobilization for the knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist or ankle, plus exercises for the muscles around it. See extremity adjustments for knees, hips and shoulders.
Class IV laser therapy
Laser light is applied around sore muscles, tendons and ligaments near the joint, with timing set by your exam. Read about laser treatment around a sore joint.
Near-infrared light therapy
Near-infrared light is positioned over stiff or sensitive tissue and paired with the other care in your plan. Learn about near-infrared light for stiff joints.
PEMF therapy
Electromagnetic pulses are directed at the joint region without needles or force. See PEMF for aching joints.
Sports performance enhancement
For athletes, targeted training builds strength and control around the movements that load the joint. Explore performance training built around your sport's joint demands.
Regenerative therapies consultation
If you are curious about regenerative options, regenerative therapies for joint concerns begin with a consultation and an evaluation.
Red flags
When to seek care
Some joint problems need medical care before conservative care.
- A hot, red, very swollen joint, especially with fever
- New pain in several joints with a rash
- A joint that looks deformed after an injury
- Marked instability or a joint you cannot use
If you notice any of these, contact your physician or go to urgent or emergency care before booking with us.
Your clinician
Who plans your care
Dr. Jeff McWhorter, D.C., a chiropractor whose practice focuses on functional neurology, concussion rehabilitation, and performance, examines both the painful joint and the chain of movement around it. Before founding True Performance in Rancho Santa Fe, Dr. McWhorter served as a chiropractic consultant to the Denver Broncos, working with elite athletes to improve recovery and performance.
That background shapes joint care for golfers, riders, runners and racquet players, and for anyone who simply wants to walk without pain.
Visit
Getting here
Our office is at 18029 Calle Ambiente, Suite 507, in Cielo Village, Rancho Santa Fe. It sits near Lake Hodges and less than eight miles from the Del Mar Fairgrounds, an easy drive for patients from Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas and Carlsbad.
The first step
Schedule Your Joint Pain Evaluation
- 01Start with a complimentary 15-minute intro call
- 02Your first visit takes about 90 minutes, plus data and history gathering
- 03We refer out when imaging or medical care should come first
What causes joint pain all over the body?
Pain in many joints at once can come from inflammatory or autoimmune conditions, infections, medications or other medical problems. New pain in several joints, especially with fever, rash, warmth or swelling, should be checked by a medical provider first.
Does joint pain get worse with age?
Joint pain becomes more common with age, partly because osteoarthritis becomes more likely. Worsening is not inevitable, and imaging changes do not always match how you feel or function.
What activities are easiest on sore joints?
Low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, swimming and controlled strength work are usually easier on the joints. Start gradually and back off if pain, swelling or instability increase.
How can I manage joint pain day to day?
Pace demanding tasks, take movement breaks and adjust repetitive activities. Mobility and strength exercises that do not flare the joint help most.
Is joint pain care covered by insurance?
We explain cost and payment options on your complimentary intro call, before you book an exam.
Low-impact activities such as brisk walking, cycling and swimming do not put stress on the joints, according to the CDC's guide to activities for arthritis.
Get back to the activities your joints limit
Start with a complimentary 15-minute call with our team.