Acupuncture Encourages Range of Motion and Less Knee Pain

Knee pain is a condition that bothers millions of people every single day.

Knee pain is the second most common cause of chronic pain. Over one-third of all Americans report experiencing knee pain at some time or another.

Between 15 and 20% of all men are afflicted with knee pain. More women than men report knee pain, with the overall prevalence of knee pain in women roughly 20%.

Most people know that acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to reduce pain. More recent research is showing that acupuncture is a proven, effective treatment for common causes of knee pain.

What Causes Knee Pain?

Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. Many conditions can cause or contribute to chronic knee pain, and many treatments exist. Temporary knee pain is different from chronic knee pain. Many people experience temporary knee pain because of an injury or accident.

Each person’s experience with chronic knee pain will be different. Chronic knee pain rarely goes away without treatment, and it isn’t always attributable to one incident.

Physical conditions or diseases can cause knee pain, with the most common listed below:

Osteoarthritis - pain, inflammation, and joint destruction caused by degeneration and deterioration of the joint.

Tendinitis - pain in the front of the knee that is made worse when climbing, taking stairs, or walking up an incline.

Bursitis - inflammation caused by repeated overuse or injury of the knee.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder that causes painful swelling and can eventually cause joint deformity and bone erosion.

Meniscus tea - a rupture in one or more of the cartilages in the knee.

Torn ligament - tear in one of the four ligaments in the knee, the most commonly injured ligament is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Acupuncture for Knee Pain

Many clinical studies support acupuncture to relieve knee pain, most specifically osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and chronic knee pain.

When the acupuncture needles are placed on the body, a signal is sent to the brain triggering a release of endorphins, the bodies natural painkillers, and also an anti-inflammatory effect. Medical researchers and scientists believe this gives acupuncture its pain-relieving effects.

In 2019, the American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation gave the recommendations of utilizing acupuncture in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Osteoarthritis

A systematic review analyzed 10 randomized control studies to determine whether or not acupuncture reduced pain and improved joint function in people with chronic osteoarthritis-induced knee pain. The analysis determined that acupuncture can improve short-term and long-term physical function and mobility, and appears to provide short-term pain relief in patients with chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

A review of 43 studies found that acupuncture alone and when combined with other treatment modalities benefits those living with rheumatoid arthritis.

Acupuncture may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects helping improve the quality of life of those with rheumatoid arthritis.

Chronic Knee Pain

Acupuncture is among the most popular complementary modalities used by those with joint pain.

One study shows that acupuncture results in modest improvements in mobility and function at 12 weeks with more research needed to analyze its longer-term effects.

At Modern Acupuncture, your Licensed Acupuncturist will analyze the history and causes of your knee pain. Following a clinical exam, that involves palpating the muscles, tendons and ligaments attached to the knee, you acupuncturist will use a combination of points surrounding the knee, and in the muscles connecting to the knee to increase blood circulation, reduce inflammation and release natural pain-killers to provide sustained pain relief.

VIEW MATTHEW'S MODERN ACUPUNCTURE VIDEO

“After three years of excruciating pain and intensive therapies with limited results, I started acupuncture treatments and was pain free with full range of motion only 1 month later.”

- Matthew Olesky, L.Ac.

Acupuncture Minimizes Pain

Modern Acupuncture® is a natural pain relief solution and the leading provider of acupuncture in the U.S. The most studied theories show that acupuncture stimulates the body to release naturally produced “feel good” endorphins and stimulate the parasympathetic or “rest and digest” response in our body.

Visit the clinic nearest you today.