Acupuncture and Knee Pain – How to Find Relief
It is becoming more common for people to seek out alternative treatment for their aches and pains before they start a regiment of steroids or opioids to gain relief from pain because we now know that long-term use of oral anti-inflammatory medications can lead to gastrointestinal damage as well as liver and kidney toxicity. For those looking for long term relief from knee pain, acupuncture is a great option to explore. “In one investigation, acupuncture plus herbal medicine outperformed acupuncture plus ibuprofen for pain relief. In another independent investigation, acupuncture outperformed diclofenac for relief of pain, inflammation, and motor impairment due to knee osteoarthritis”. Common types of knee pain treated with acupuncture include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, runner’s knee, and water on the knee.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that uses very fine needles inserted into the skin on specific areas of the body. The goal of acupuncture is to remedy pain and other ailments by addressing the internal energy flow of a person’s qi (pronounced “chee”), or energy flow. When there are blockages or imbalances in the flow of energy, the body may experience inflammation, pain, illness, or a variety of other symptoms. A trained acupuncturist is able to use acupuncture needles to stimulate a specific area of the body, like the knee, back, or neck, that is blocked and then release energy blockages so it will flow freely again, and the body can begin healing.
Acupuncture and Knee Pain
Acupuncture, when used for knee pain, can yield excellent results! The acupuncture treatment works by getting the body to a state where it can begin to heal itself naturally and without the use of medication or surgery by releasing feel-good chemicals that act as natural pain relief. Acupuncture can also loosen and relax painful “trigger points” that commonly occur in fascia and muscles. In areas that acupuncture needles are applied, the body will increase blood flow to improve circulation and flush out any toxins and built-up fluids that can contribute to pain and swelling.
Common Types of Knee Pain
Knees are one of the most common joints to feel pain or be injured! They hold much of our body weight and absorb a lot of the shock when we walk and run. When our knees aren’t at their best, it can make life much harder. If any of these common knee problems sound similar to what you suffer from, you may want to consider acupuncture as a treatment option.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis generally happens with age or overuse and is most common in people whose joints are put under more significant stress from being overweight or being older.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system begins to attack its own tissues, and in this case, the joints as well. This can affect joints in the knee, toes, fingers, and wrists and causes stiffness, inflammation, and pain.
Runner’s Knee
A person can develop runner’s knee by irritating the joint through a repetitive motion, such as running, walking, or cycling. It is common for people to experience the pain and swelling of runner’s knee when they have inflexible or weak leg muscles.
Water on the Knee
Also known as knee effusion, this condition can be caused by an injury or arthritis. It can also be brought on by gout, tumors, or cysts developing.
Contact Us
If you are experiencing knee pain, contact Lotus Studio Acupuncture today to find out how we can help. Our highly experienced acupuncturists are available to answer any questions you have about our variety of services. Call us at 303-882-6169 or click here to make an appointment now.