Knee pain physio in Manchester
Find out what's wrong with your knee, keep moving where it's safe, and rebuild the strength to squat, run, climb stairs and play sport again.
Knee pain treatment in Manchester city centre
Reviewed by Nick Chatziviltsos, PgDip, HCPC-registered physiotherapist (PH114351), November 2026
At a glance
Who it's for: runners, footballers, gym-goers, people with knee arthritis and people recovering from knee surgery.
What we do: ligament and meniscus tests, strength and hop tests, hands-on treatment and a gym-based rehab plan.
Typical recovery: minor strains often feel better within a few days to weeks. Ligament injuries and surgery rehab take months.
Self-care: ease the load on your knee for a few days, use ice and keep it moving gently.
Get urgent help: the knee has shifted out of place, or your leg or foot is numb, cold or blue: call 999 or go to A&E.
Your knee takes your whole body weight with every step, stair and squat. So when it hurts, it affects almost everything you do.
Knee pain usually falls into two groups. Some comes on gradually, from doing more running, jumping or squatting than your knee is ready for. Some comes from a twist or a knock, which can damage a ligament or the meniscus. Both groups usually get better with the right strength plan.
We're inside F45 NQ, a two-minute walk from Piccadilly station. So we can test your knee properly and rebuild it with squats, step-downs and hops on a real gym floor.
🛠️ How we treat knee pain
Step 1. Find out why it hurts
We use hands-on tests to check your ligaments, meniscus, kneecap and tendons. We test thigh and hip strength side to side, and watch how your knee moves when you squat or step down. We show you on a 3D anatomy model what's going on.
Step 2. Settle it down and keep you moving
We change what you do rather than stop it, wherever that's safe. Treatment may include joint mobilisation, soft tissue work and IASTM, a tool-assisted soft tissue technique. You'll get early exercises from your custom rehab plan to get the swelling down and the muscles working.
Step 3. Build you back stronger
We rebuild thigh, hip and calf strength on the F45 NQ gym floor, then add hops, landings and changes of direction. You return to running or sport once you pass our strength and hop tests.
Knee stopping you running, training or climbing stairs? Your first 60-minute session includes treatment. Book your assessment →
👥 Who our knee physio is for
Runners with pain around the kneecap or on the outside of the knee. See running injury physio.
Footballers, netball and rugby players who've twisted their knee or felt a pop.
Gym-goers with pain on squats, lunges or jumping.
People with knee arthritis who want to stay active and walk further with less pain.
People before and after knee surgery, including ACL reconstruction and knee replacement. See pre and post-op rehab.
⚠️ Common knee symptoms
This is a guide, not a diagnosis. If anything under "When knee pain needs urgent help" sounds like you, follow that advice first.
An ache around the kneecap on stairs, squats or after sitting: it might be runner's knee.
Pain just below the kneecap when you jump or run downhill: it might be jumper's knee.
Sharp pain on the outside of the knee that starts partway through a run: it might be IT band syndrome.
Pain after a twist, with catching, locking or swelling the next day: it might be a meniscus tear.
A pop, fast swelling, and the knee gives way when you turn: it might be an ACL injury.
Pain on the inside of the knee after a blow from the side: it might be an MCL injury.
Stiffness and aching in one or both knees, often over 45: it might be knee osteoarthritis.
🧪 What happens at your first appointment
Your first session lasts 60 minutes, so treatment starts the same day.
Your story. How it started, what makes it worse, your sport and your goals.
Safety screen. We check for signs that need urgent care, a scan or a surgical opinion.
Physical exam. Ligament and meniscus tests, plus strength and movement tests.
Your diagnosis. In plain English, using our 3D anatomy model.
Treatment. Hands-on work and your first exercises, the start of a rehab plan built for you.
Your plan. What to keep doing, what to change for now, and how many sessions we expect.
We don't offer scans. If you need an MRI, such as for a knee that keeps locking or giving way, we'll write to your GP.
💷 Knee physio prices
First appointment. 60-minute assessment and treatment: £95.
Follow-up, 30 minutes. £55.
Follow-up, 60 minutes. £95.
Free consultation, 15 minutes. Free.
We work with Bupa, WPA, Vitality and Aviva. Check your cover with your insurer before you book. After knee surgery, we also offer home visits and online physiotherapy.
⏱️ How long will it take to get better?
Minor strains often feel better within a few days to weeks. Ligament injuries and rehab after surgery take months. For the first few days after an injury, ease the load; after that, the right exercise helps more than rest.
✅ Knee conditions we treat
Pick the one that sounds most like you to read more. Not sure which one you have? That's what your first appointment is for.
Runner's knee: pain around or behind the kneecap, worse on stairs and downhill
Jumper's knee (patellar tendinopathy): pain just below the kneecap, worse with jumping, squatting and hills
IT band syndrome: sharp pain on the outside of the knee, often a few miles into a run
Meniscus tear: pain on the inside or outside of the knee after a twist, sometimes with catching
ACL injury: a twist, a pop and swelling, then a knee that feels like it might give way
MCL injury: pain on the inside of the knee after a blow or twist
Knee and hip osteoarthritis: a stiff, aching knee, worse after walking or first thing
Knee replacement recovery: rehab before and after a knee replacement, to bend, walk and climb stairs again
❓ Knee pain FAQs
🚨 When knee pain needs urgent help
Most knee pain isn't serious. But some symptoms need help fast. Don't wait for a physio appointment if you have any of these.
Book a physio: a knee that keeps catching or giving way. We may advise a scan and a surgical opinion.
Call 111 urgently: a hot, red, swollen knee with a fever or feeling hot, cold or shivery, especially after surgery (call 111 now, or contact your surgical team; this can be a sign of infection); severe pain after a fall or injury, large or growing swelling, or you can't put weight on the knee (call 111 or go to an urgent treatment centre); you can't bend or straighten the leg, or the knee is locked (call 111 for urgent advice).
Call 999 or go to A&E: you heard a crack, the knee has shifted out of place or looks misshapen, or your leg or foot is numb, cold or blue (call 999 or go to A&E now, don't drive yourself).
Twisted your knee and not sure how bad it is? Book a free 15-minute call and we'll tell you honestly. Book a free call →
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Yes. Most knee problems, including many ligament and meniscus injuries, get better with a well-planned strength programme.
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Not always. Many people do well with rehab alone. We'll talk through your options and refer you for a surgical opinion if needed.
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Not always. Hands-on tests tell us a lot. If you need an MRI, we write to your GP.
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For a few days after an injury, ease the load. After that, the right exercise helps more than rest.
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Painless clicking is normal. See someone if it clicks painfully, locks or gives way.
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Usually yes, with changes. We'll tell you what to keep and what to swap.
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Yes. Exercise is a core treatment for knee osteoarthritis. It can ease pain and help you walk further.
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No. We use hands-on treatment, IASTM and exercise. If an injection might help, we'll write to your GP.
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Yes. Book a free 15-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether physio is the right next step.
📍 Book knee physio in Manchester city centre
Athos Physio is inside F45 NQ, 77 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2BU, a two-minute walk from Piccadilly station and Piccadilly Gardens. We're open 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, so you can come before or after work.
First appointment £95 for 60 minutes. Insured with Bupa, WPA, Vitality or Aviva? Check your cover first.
Call or WhatsApp 07475 433300, or book online.
Other services: Physiotherapy and active rehab · Sports massage · Pregnancy and postnatal physio · Home visits · Online physio
Written by Nick Chatziviltsos, physiotherapist and founder of Athos Physio, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, HCPC registered. Last reviewed: November 2026.
Insurance providers we are affiliated with
Athos Physio is a full-service physiotherapy clinic
We offer injury rehabilitation, post-surgery functional strengthening, deep tissue massage and pain relief, and strength training expertise. We support you in becoming pain-free so that you can achieve a limitless life experience. If you want to speak with us before booking a session you reach out via WhatsApp, call us or email us.
We are based in Manchester city centre a couple of minutes walk from Piccadilly train station and Piccadilly Gardens Square