MOVE PAST KNEE PAIN
Physical Therapy for Knee Pain That Gets Culver City Moving
Whether you're sidelined from running the Ballona Creek Trail, missing weekend games at the park, or struggling with stairs at work, knee pain doesn't have to keep you stuck. Every day, we see runners forced to abandon their LA Marathon training, weekend warriors missing their sports leagues, and active professionals who can't even get out of their cars without pain.
The frustration is real, and the conventional "rest and wait" approach rarely provides lasting relief. At Victory Performance and Physical Therapy, we use the evidence-based Victory Method to get Culver City's active community back in motion. We don't just mask symptoms—we identify and fix the root cause of your knee pain. Whether you're dealing with runner's knee, recovering from ACL surgery, or managing arthritis, our Doctors of Physical Therapy create personalized treatment plans that deliver real, lasting results.
Call 424-543-4336 to schedule your evaluation and learn more about how we may be able to help.
This is why we do it
5000+ PEOPLE OUT OF PAIN
950+ SURGERIES AVOIDED
700+ 5-STAR REVIEWS
Located in Culver City || Serving
Active Adults & Athletes Since 2015
Why Choose Victory Performance for Your Knee Pain
Struggling with knee pain can be frustrating, keeping you from the active life you love. At Victory Performance, we get it. Our approach is different—we provide expert, one-on-one care designed specifically for active adults and athletes in Culver City. We focus on evidence-based treatments that deliver real results, helping you move past the pain and get back to performing at your best.
Doctor-Led, One-on-One Care: Every session is a full hour with a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy, not an aide. This ensures your treatment is always personalized and expertly guided.
Evidence-Based Treatment That Works: We use the latest, scientifically-proven methods, like targeted hip and knee strengthening, to fix the root cause of your pain—no outdated or passive treatments.
Built for Active People: Our therapists are athletes too. We understand your goal isn't just to stop the pain, but to crush workouts, set new PRs, and live without limitations.
Advanced Technology & Techniques: We utilize cutting-edge tools like VALD force plates, bloodflow restriction therapy (BFR) and shockwave therapy. Plus we have a fully equipped facility to support your complete rehabilitation, from strength training to advanced agility work.
No Referral Needed: In California, you can see a physical therapist directly. Skip the wait and start your recovery with us right away.
“I went to Victory with chronic lower back pain and a really banged up knee thinking it was going to need surgery. I didn’t have the best outlook on PT tbh and Victory completely changed my outlook on it. They gave me a solid plan for my mobility and just after a few sessions I was able to start running again. Their staff is informative, attentive, really dope, and the best part is you get to have them 1-1 for every session to focus on anything you’d want. I’d definitely recommend them for anyone looking for PT!” - Alejandro Cabrejo
Understanding Your Knee Pain
The knee is one of the most complex and vulnerable joints in your body. It absorbs tremendous force with every step, jump, and pivot. When something goes wrong—whether from acute injury, overuse, or gradual wear—the impact on your daily life can be devastating.
Common injuries We Treat:
-
The most common complaint among Culver City's running community, runner's knee causes pain around or behind the kneecap. It often develops from weak hips, poor running mechanics, or training errors. Our comprehensive approach addresses not just the knee but the entire movement chain—strengthening your hips, correcting your form, and building resilience against future injury.
-
Surgery is sometimes necessary, but what happens after surgery determines your outcome. We specialize in rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, total knee replacement, and other knee surgeries. Our systematic approach takes you from those first tentative steps through full return to sport or activity. We coordinate with your surgeon, manage swelling and scar tissue, restore range of motion, rebuild strength, and ensure you meet every milestone for safe return to your active lifestyle. Our post-surgical patients consistently exceed their surgeon's expectations for recovery timeline and functional outcomes.
-
Whether you've torn your ACL on the soccer field or sprained your MCL during a weekend hike, ligament injuries require expert rehabilitation. For partial tears and sprains, we often help athletes avoid surgery entirely through targeted strengthening. When surgery is necessary, our post-operative ACL reconstruction protocol ensures optimal recovery, from initial healing through return-to-sport testing.
-
That clicking, locking, or catching sensation in your knee could signal a meniscus tear. While some tears require surgery, research shows many respond excellently to targeted physical therapy. We help you avoid unnecessary surgery when possible and provide expert post-surgical care when needed, ensuring proper healing and preventing future complications.
-
Common among runners and cyclists, IT band syndrome causes sharp pain on the outside of the knee. Our treatment goes beyond foam rolling—we address the hip weakness and biomechanical issues that cause the IT band to become overloaded in the first place.
-
If you've been told you have "bone-on-bone" arthritis, don't lose hope. Our evidence-based approach can significantly reduce pain and improve function, even with advanced arthritis. Many patients delay or avoid knee replacement surgery entirely through our comprehensive strengthening program. When joint replacement becomes necessary, our post-operative rehab protocol helps you achieve optimal outcomes and return to the activities you enjoy.
-
This overuse injury affects the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shinbone. Common in basketball and volleyball players, it requires precise load management and progressive strengthening to heal properly. We guide you through the entire recovery process, ensuring you return to jumping and landing safely.
The Victory Method for Knee Pain
Our systematic approach transforms you from frustrated and limited to confident and capable. Here's how we do it:
-
Your first visit is never rushed. Our Doctors of Physical Therapy conduct a thorough evaluation that goes beyond just looking at your knee. We assess your entire movement system—from your ankle mobility to your hip strength to your core stability. We watch you walk, squat, balance, and perform the specific movements that trigger your pain.
This comprehensive approach reveals the hidden contributors to your knee pain. Maybe your ankle stiffness is causing your knee to compensate. Perhaps weak glutes are allowing your knee to collapse inward with each step. By identifying these root causes, we create a treatment plan that provides lasting relief, not just temporary fixes
-
Our therapists use specialized manual techniques to accelerate your healing. Through targeted soft tissue work, joint mobilization, and hands-on guidance, we reduce pain, improve mobility, and prepare your body for the strengthening work ahead.
Unlike passive treatments that provide only temporary relief, our manual therapy is always combined with active interventions. We're not just making you feel better for a few hours—we're creating lasting changes in how your body moves and functions.
-
Research consistently shows that exercise is the most effective treatment for knee pain. But not just any exercise—you need the right exercises, performed correctly, at the appropriate intensity for your condition.
Hip and Core Strengthening Strong hips are essential for knee health. We target the often-neglected hip stabilizers that control your knee position during walking, running, and squatting. When these muscles work properly, stress on your knee decreases dramatically.
Progressive Loading Whether you're recovering from surgery or managing chronic pain, we carefully progress your exercises to build strength without aggravating symptoms. Each session builds on the last, gradually increasing your capacity until you're stronger than before your injury.
Movement Retraining For athletes and active adults, how you move matters as much as how strong you are. We analyze and correct your running gait, jumping mechanics, and sport-specific movements. This isn't just about recovery—it's about performing better and preventing future injuries.
-
Recovery doesn't stop when you leave our clinic. Through our app, you'll have video demonstrations of your exercises, tracking tools to monitor progress, and direct communication with your therapist. This ensures you're doing the right things at home to accelerate your recovery.
What to Expect During Your Care
Your First Visit
Comprehensive evaluation by a Doctor of Physical Therapy
Movement analysis to identify potential contributing factors
Hands-on assessment to begin understanding your condition
Personalized plan based on your specific needs and goals
Clear explanation of what to expect during your care
Typical Timeline
Many patients begin experiencing some improvement within the first few sessions, with more significant changes typically occurring within 4-6 weeks. Chronic conditions may require longer care. Our structured approach helps ensure steady progress.
Start Your Recovery Today
Don't let knee pain keep you from the active life you deserve. Whether you're training for your next marathon, getting back to weekend basketball, or simply want to walk the Culver City stairs without pain, we're here to help.
The longer you wait, the weaker your muscles become and the more your movement patterns deteriorate. Taking action now means a faster recovery and better long-term outcomes.
Want to know if Victory can help? Give us a call
OR
Fill out the form and we will get back to you
Located in the heart of Culver City, Victory Performance and Physical Therapy proudly serves patients throughout Los Angeles, including Culver City, West LA, Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey, and surrounding communities.
Additional Services
Shockwave Therapy
This advanced treatment may help accelerate healing in stubborn injuries by stimulating blood flow and tissue repair. We use it as part of a targeted plan when traditional methods haven’t been enough.
Sports Massage
Our therapeutic massage combines movement with deep tissue techniques, targeting problem areas more effectively than traditional massage while potentially enhancing recovery and flexibility..
Personal Training
Once you've achieved your initial goals, our personal training programs may help you build strength safely, taking your history and fitness goals into account for continued progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Many patients report noticeable improvement within the first few visits. While everyone's timeline differs, most knee conditions show significant improvement within 4-6 weeks of consistent therapy. Complete recovery and return to sport typically takes 8-12 weeks, depending on your specific condition and goals.
-
Absolutely. Research shows that physical therapy is as effective as surgery for many meniscus tears and can significantly delay or prevent knee replacement for arthritis. Even when surgery is necessary, pre-surgical PT (prehab) leads to better outcomes and faster recovery.
-
Good physical therapy challenges you without causing harm. We carefully monitor your response to treatment, adjusting intensity to promote healing without excessive pain. Some muscle soreness is normal as you get stronger, but sharp or severe pain is not. We teach you to understand the difference and adjust accordingly.
-
Not all physical therapy is created equal. Many patients come to us after unsuccessful treatment elsewhere and achieve the results they couldn't get before. Our comprehensive approach, one-on-one care, and focus on root causes often succeed where generic protocols have failed.
-
Yes, post-surgical ACL rehab is one of our specialties. We guide athletes through the entire recovery process, from early healing through return-to-sport testing. Our systematic approach ensures you return to your sport with confidence, proper mechanics, and reduced risk of re-injury.
The Science Behind Our Approach
Our treatment approach isn't based on tradition or guesswork—it's built on solid scientific evidence:
Cochrane Reviews on knee osteoarthritis (the gold standard in medical evidence) consistently show that therapeutic exercise provides significant, sustained benefits for knee osteoarthritis, with effects comparable to anti-inflammatory medications but without the risks.
The 2019 Clinical Practice Guidelines from JOSPT give their strongest recommendation to combined hip and knee strengthening for patellofemoral pain, confirming our whole-body approach works better than knee exercises alone.
Research published in BMJ demonstrates that physical therapy is as effective as surgery for meniscus tears, helping many patients avoid unnecessary procedures.
Studies in Physical Therapy in Sport show that comprehensive rehabilitation incorporating movement retraining significantly reduces ACL re-injury rates compared to strength training alone.
This evidence guides every aspect of your treatment, ensuring you receive care that's proven to work, not just techniques that feel good temporarily.