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FAQ
FAQ

Knee Pain and Physiotherapy in Richmond BC: Running, Jumping and Getting Back to Sport

Last reviewed: October 2026.

Knee pain often shows up on the stairs after a run, below the kneecap after volleyball, or after a twist on the badminton court. Here is how physiotherapy at Artemis Wellness Clinic approaches it.

When is knee pain worth a physiotherapy assessment?

Knee pain is worth a physiotherapy assessment when it keeps coming back with running, jumping, squatting or stairs, when it has not settled with a little rest, or when it stops you training or playing the way you want. In BC you can book a physiotherapist directly, without a doctor’s referral.

You will see Colin, our Registered Physiotherapist, licensed with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC); anyone can check a licence on the CHCPBC public registry. Read more in Meet Colin.

Some extended health plans still ask for a referral before they reimburse; see physiotherapy referrals and coverage in BC.

Common reasons active people get knee pain

Ongoing knee pain in active people often falls into four broad groups: front-of-knee (patellofemoral) pain, patellar tendon pain, knee osteoarthritis, and twisting injuries to a ligament or the meniscus. These are general descriptions, not a diagnosis; an assessment is how you find out what fits your knee.

What you might notice General term HealthLinkBC notes
Ache around the kneecap, worse on stairs (especially going down), squatting, jumping or sitting with bent knees Patellofemoral pain (“runner’s knee”) Linked to overuse, weak thigh muscles, how the kneecap moves, and extra weight
Pain just below the kneecap that builds with jumping and landing Patellar tendon pain (“jumper’s knee”) Tendon injuries usually come from gradual wear and tear and repeated motions in sport
Morning stiffness, aching with activity, sometimes swelling Knee osteoarthritis Cartilage gradually breaks down; exercise and activity can help reduce pain
Pain after a twist, with catching, popping or giving way Ligament (ACL, MCL) or meniscus injury Meniscus tears usually come from twisting quickly with the foot planted

For twisting injuries, see ski and snowboard knee injuries and sprains and strains; for wear-related pain, see arthritis pain relief.

When to see a doctor first

See a doctor or go to an emergency department before starting physiotherapy if your knee locks and will not straighten, gave way with a pop and swelled quickly, cannot take your weight, or is hot, red and swollen, especially with a fever.

  • Locking: the knee gets stuck and will not fully straighten. HealthLinkBC lists locking among meniscus tear symptoms.
  • A pop, then fast swelling: HealthLinkBC lists a pop, swelling within the first few hours and a knee that gives out as common signs of an ACL injury.
  • Cannot bear weight: you cannot stand or walk on the leg.
  • Hot, red and swollen with a fever: possible signs of infection.
  • Get emergency care right away if the knee looks out of position after an injury, or the leg turns blue, very pale or cold.

What a physiotherapy knee assessment looks at

A knee assessment usually starts with your story: when the pain began, what sets it off and how much you have been training. It then looks at how you move (a squat, a step-down, a gentle landing if comfortable) and at your hips, thighs, ankles and the knee itself.

  • Training load: how often and how hard you train, and what changed recently.
  • Strength and control of the hip and thigh muscles that steady the knee.
  • The knee itself: swelling, range of motion and tender spots.
  • Your goals: a 10K, a volleyball season, or comfortable stairs.

Colin’s approach centres on understanding the factors behind your symptoms and building an individualized treatment plan, explained in a simple and approachable way. Most people can start without a scan; bring any imaging reports you have. If you have had knee surgery, bring your surgeon’s rehabilitation protocol and surgical reports. See your first physiotherapy appointment.

What a knee physiotherapy plan may include

A knee plan usually combines exercise and strengthening, a temporary change to how much you run or jump, hands-on treatment, and education about what is going on. The mix depends on your assessment and goals, and it is reviewed as your knee responds. Individual results vary.

  • Exercise and strengthening for the thigh, hip and calf, progressed step by step, with a home program. HealthLinkBC notes that physiotherapy for knee arthritis almost always includes exercise.
  • Adjusting training load for a while, often training less or less hard rather than stopping everything.
  • Hands-on treatment, where it suits your assessment.
  • Education about what irritates your knee and how to manage a flare-up.

Running, jumping and court sports: a gradual return

A return to running or court sports is usually planned in steps that depend on how your knee responds, not on a fixed date. Each step, from walking and strength work to easy running, hopping, drills and then games, is added when the previous one feels manageable during activity and the next day.

Stage Examples Before moving on, look for
Settle and strengthen Walking, stairs, strength work Daily activities comfortable, swelling settled
Build up Longer walks, easy run-walk intervals No flare-up the next morning
Add spring Skipping, small hops, landing practice Steady, controlled landings
Sport drills Speed work; volleyball approach jumps; basketball cuts; badminton lunges Drills feel close to normal
Back to play Part of a practice, full practice, then games The knee settles after a full session

These are general examples; your own steps are set with Colin after your assessment. Individual results vary.

More reading: running and marathon injuries, team sports injury rehab and sports injury treatment.

Knee injuries from a car crash

If your knee was hurt in a car crash in BC, ICBC pre-approves up to 25 physiotherapy treatments in the first 12 weeks after the crash, and the first assessment counts as one. You do not need a referral or ICBC approval for these; bring your ICBC claim number and BC Personal Health Number (PHN).

This is ICBC Enhanced Care (as of October 2026), and applies regardless of who caused the crash. Beyond 12 weeks or the pre-approved visits, your provider works with your ICBC recovery specialist to ask for approval, which is not automatic.

We bill ICBC directly for your pre-approved treatments. If part of a fee is not covered by ICBC (a user fee), we tell you before your treatment. More in our ICBC physiotherapy guide.

What to wear, booking and coverage

Wear or bring shorts so the whole knee can be seen, and bring the shoes you run or play in if your pain is sport-related. Physiotherapy visits are 30, 45 or 60 minutes, and we can bill many extended health insurers directly.

Physiotherapy visit (as of October 2026) Price
30 minutes $110
45 minutes $145
60 minutes $170

We can bill many insurers directly; you pay only the part your plan does not cover (co-pay, deductible or amounts above your plan maximum). See physiotherapy direct billing and our insurer details.

We are at 5911 No. 3 Rd #130, near Brighouse SkyTrain station (Canada Line), open 7 days a week, 8 am to 8 pm; Colin’s available times are shown on Jane. Free parking stalls 47 and 48 are behind the unit (enter from Ackroyd Road or Firbridge Way; the parkade is closed on Saturdays and Sundays), with paid street parking on the side street and free 3-hour parking at the PriceSmart plaza across the street on Ackroyd Road. Colin speaks English and Chinese.

When you are ready, book online at artemis.janeapp.com or call 604-242-2233.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I see a physiotherapist or a doctor for knee pain?
For ongoing knee pain, you can book a physiotherapist directly in BC. See a doctor first if your knee locks, gave way with a pop and swelled quickly, cannot take your weight, or is hot, red and swollen with a fever.

Do I need an X-ray or MRI before physiotherapy for my knee?
Usually not. BC physiotherapists currently cannot order diagnostic imaging, so if a scan is needed, your doctor arranges it. Bring any reports you already have.

Should I stop running or playing completely if my knee hurts?
Not always. Many people stay active by training less, or less hard, for a while. With any red-flag sign, stop and see a doctor first.

What does physiotherapy for jumper’s knee from volleyball or basketball usually involve?
Typically strengthening, less jumping for a while, hands-on treatment and education, then a step-by-step return to jumping and games. Individual results vary.

What should I wear to a knee physiotherapy appointment?
Shorts, or loose pants that roll well above the knee. Bring the shoes you run or play in.

How many physiotherapy sessions will I need for knee pain?
It depends on the cause, how long you have had the pain and your goals. Colin talks through a plan with you after your assessment. Individual results vary.

Is knee physiotherapy covered by extended health or ICBC?
It depends on your plan; we can bill many insurers directly. After a car crash in BC, ICBC pre-approves up to 25 physiotherapy treatments in the first 12 weeks (as of October 2026).

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