Active Adults & Athletes in Watchung NJ: Overcome Knee Pain Without Surgery or Injections
Dr. Lauren Scully
Physical Therapist at Soma Vita Physio & Wellness
Struggling with Knee Pain When Walking, Climbing Stairs, or Exercising?
- Does knee pain make everyday activities like walking upstairs, squatting, or keeping up with your kids feel difficult or painful?
- Are you starting to avoid hikes, workouts, or even long walks because of nagging knee pain?
- Have you been told it’s “just aging” or “wear and tear” but it keeps getting worse?
At Soma Vita Physio & Wellness in Watchung, NJ, we help active adults and athletes overcome knee pain naturally—without painkillers, unnecessary injections, or risky surgery.
Knee Pain Is Common—But Not Normal (And It Doesn’t Have to Be Permanent)
If your knees ache, feel stiff, or painful—and you can’t pinpoint why—you’re not alone.
Knee pain is one of the most common issues we treat at Soma Vita Physio & Wellness. We commonly help active adults recover from issues like patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee), meniscus tears, IT band syndrome, patellar or quadriceps tendonitis, and even early-stage knee osteoarthritis—without needing cortisone shots or surgery.
We know how frustrating it can be when:
- You’ve been told to “rest and take painkillers”
- You’ve tried knee braces, ice, or YouTube exercises with no relief
Doctors recommend cortisone shots or talk about surgery as your only option
Why Is My Knee Pain Not Going Away?
Here are some of the most common reasons knee pain lingers longer than it should:
- You thought it would go away on its own—but it hasn’t.
- You were prescribed rest and medication—but the pain returns when the pills wear off.
- You’ve been told knee pain is part of aging—so you accepted it.
- You tried other therapies—but they didn’t address the root cause.
- You relied on knee braces—but the pain keeps coming back.
- You tried generic online exercises—but they made the pain worse.
If this sounds like you, you are not alone—and you’re actually closer to finding the right solution because you now know what hasn’t worked.
How We Help Knee Pain Sufferers at Soma Vita Physio & Wellness in Watchung, NJ
At Soma Vita Physio & Wellness, we specialize in helping people just like you finally get to the root cause of knee pain and get back to the activities they love.
Our approach is different:
- We use a science-backed, hands-on approach combined with movement analysis and tendon loading principles.
- We help you understand exactly why your knee hurts and what to do about it.
- Whether your knee pain is due to a worn meniscus, kneecap tracking issues, or tightness in your hips or IT band, we look at the whole picture to give you lasting relief.
- We empower you with the right exercises at the right time—without making your pain worse.
- We teach you how to modify your workouts so you don’t have to stop moving.
Our Proven 3-Step Process for Knee Pain Relief
Don’t settle for rest, ice, or cookie-cutter knee rehab. At Soma Vita Physio & Wellness, our orthopedic and sports injury specialists use advanced movement assessments, manual therapy, and performance-based rehab to address the root cause of knee pain—whether it’s from running, lifting, or everyday activities.
Our team approach ensures you get evidence-based, personalized knee pain treatment designed to restore strength, improve mechanics, and keep you active long-term.
Our Process
Phase 1: Listen to Your Story
Unlike, the experience you often get at the doctor’s office, we want to hear your story. The full thing. No shortcuts. We want to learn about your injury, interests, and how this has been affecting your life.
We don’t just look at your knee—we look at your whole body, lifestyle, and goals.
Phase 2: Get Clarity & A Plan
We explain exactly what’s causing your knee pain, your recovery timeline, and what steps you can take now to get relief.
Our goal throughout therapy is to give you the knowledge and tools to understand how this injury occurred in the first place, how to address it now, and how to prevent re-injury in the future.
Phase 3: Fix the Root Cause & Build Resilience
We help you:
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Correct faulty movement patterns and weaknesses
- Build strength and prevent future flare-ups
4 Things You Can Start Doing Today to Ease Knee Pain
Well, here’s 4 things you can do:
1. Stop waiting for the pain to magically disappear. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to fix.
2. Next, do the RIGHT exercises for your body and your knee pain type – one of the best things to help you ease your knee pain is to do the right series of progressed exercises – the right exercises given to you by a Physiotherapist will help reduce pain, and allow you to move freely again quick – and make sure that the problems don’t come back any time soon.
3. Avoid sitting in stiff awkward positions for long periods – the truth is, you and I were not designed to sit. When you sit and bend your knees, you’re putting your knees in awkward, un-natural positions – which knees aren’t built to be in for too long. It would really help if you were given appropriate strengthening exercises for better posture, alongside hands-on treatment, to get you active and healthy as quickly as possible.
4. Get expert help from a specialist who understands movement and knee mechanics. – Physical Therapy is proven to help people with knee pain. In fact at Soma Vita Physio & Wellness it’s one of the most common issues we see with our athletes and active adults. Physical Therapy can help get you back to living the life you deserve as quickly as possible.
Many of our clients come in after being told they have a meniscus tear, patellofemoral pain, tendonitis, or early arthritis—and are worried they’ll need surgery. But with the right combination of manual therapy, strength training, and movement corrections, we help them avoid the OR and stay active doing what they love.
Why Choose Soma Vita Physio & Wellness for Orthopedic & Functional Performance Physical Therapy
At Soma Vita Physio & Wellness, we believe every person deserves world-class care—whether you’re a busy parent, weekend warrior, lifter, runner, or simply someone who refuses to settle for “getting old” as an excuse for pain.
We know you’re not here for cookie-cutter therapy. You want answers, a plan, and a team that will meet you where you are and get you where you want to go—stronger, pain-free, and more capable than ever.
Here’s what sets us apart:
🔹 Board-Certified Expertise in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCS)
Dr. Stella Dimitrakakis is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (OCS) through the American Physical Therapy Association—a designation earned by only 4% of physical therapists nationwide. This means your care is guided by the latest evidence, research-backed strategies, and a deep understanding of complex orthopedic and sports injuries.
🔹 Elite Manual Therapy & Movement Science Integration
From Functional Manual Therapy™ to advanced strength training and movement retraining, we combine hands-on techniques with personalized exercise programs tailored to your goals, your body, and your life.
🔹 Evidence-Based, Whole-Body Approach
Every treatment plan is grounded in the best available research, clinical reasoning, and over 30+ years of combined experience. We blend evidence-based practice with an individualized,
🔹 Nervous System & Breathwork Integration
Pain is not just mechanical. We integrate breathwork, nervous system regulation, and mind-body strategies to help you break pain cycles and move with freedom and ease.
🔹 Strength, Resilience & Injury Prevention Focus
We don’t just get you out of pain. We help you rebuild strength, restore balance, and bulletproof your body to handle the demands of your sport, training, or daily life.
🔹 1-on-1, Unrushed Care—Every Time
No double-booking. No techs. No insurance-driven restrictions. You get our full attention, every session.
🔹 Customized Care for Active Lifestyles — Whether you’re a runner, lifter, parent, or weekend warrior, your care plan is tailored to your body, goals, and activities—so you can get back to what you love, stronger and more resilient.
🔹 Prevention-Focused Care — We don’t just treat pain—we empower you with the tools, education, and strategies to prevent injuries from returning.
We don’t believe in bandaid care.
We believe in getting you back to your life—pain-free, strong, and confident.
✅ Not sure if we’re the right fit?
That’s why we offer a Free Discovery Call—to hear your story, answer your questions, and help you decide if our approach is right for you.
✅ And if we’re not the perfect fit?
We’ll connect you with one of our trusted colleagues to make sure you get exactly what you need.
🔵 Click below to request your Free Discovery Call today. Let’s help you move, feel, and perform your best—without limits.
Speak with a Knee Pain Specialist in Watchung, NJ Today
If you’re ready to get answers and start your journey back to pain-free knees,
Click the button below to schedule a free phone consultation with one of our knee pain experts.
No cost, no obligation—just real answers.
What Other People Just Like You Are Saying About Soma Vita Physio & Wellness In Watchung...
75+ 5-Star Reviews
- Prachi B.
“Dr. Stella is a very patient focused – a great listener and provides very clear explanations to my questions and of her treatment. I came to Dr. Stella for a knee issue but she treated me holistically. I have the clearest understanding of how my posture, movement and exercise plan impact my joint health. I recommend Dr. Stella without reservation..”
- Leslie G.
Dr. Dimitrikakis is a phenomenal physical therapist. I have been to several PTs in the past and my condition remained stagnant. I am currently on my 8th session with Dr. Dimitrikakis and my hip and knee pain has decreased exponentially. She was able to identify the root cause of my pain and work with me to strengthen the necessary muscles. My pelvic floor has never felt better! I am looking forward to my future sessions!
- Marta I.
I have been dealing with bilateral knee and ankle pain for years. I’m usually functional during the day to perform my daily work duties (standing/walking activities), but at night, my pain would keep me from getting any sleep due to throbbing pain behind my legs.
I have sought out care from traditional PT to orthopedic doctors and podiatrists and they have given me short-term and minimal relief.
Doctor Stella was able help me find the root cause of my pain and was able to help me fix my knee and ankle issues after receiving my very first visit. During my initial evaluation, Dr. Stella assessed my whole posture, gait, and provided me skillful manual therapy and exercises.
I’m so happy with immediate progress made and it has been a month since my first visit and my knees and ankles feel 100% already! 🙌
