Ever wondered about the rare Chinese technology of acupuncture that can cure a host of different ailments. At some point in time, you must have felt curious about how a handful of needles can heal the most complex health issues. Well, why don’t you try it out to get rid of the persistent pain in the knees with acupuncture for knee pain?
With more than 20 million Americans suffering from knee pain due to arthritis, overexertion, and injuries, it is high time to ditch the chemical pain-killers and ineffective ointments and embrace the holistic approach of acupuncture for knee pain.
The insertion of needles might sound a little daunting to you, but the procedure is quite painless and free of risks.
How Does Knee Pain Occur?
Arthritis, mechanical problems, and injuries cause knee pain. Some of the most important causes of pain in the knees include the following.
[Read: How to Treat Arthritis]
Injury to the Knee
An injury to the knee affects the tendons, fluid-filled sacs, and ligaments around the knee joints along with the cartilage and bones. The Injuries include ACL injury, fractures, torn meniscus, knee bursitis, and patellar tendinitis(1).
Arthritis
There are hundreds of varieties of arthritis of which the following types affect the knee joints and cause acute knee pain.
- Osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis causes wear and tear of the cartilages and makes the knee joint erode with advancing age.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is another type that affects almost every joint in the body and causes chronic pain in the knees.
- Gout occurs due to the accumulation of crystals of uric acid in the joints and affects the knees causing knee pain and inflammation.
- Knee pain also occurs due to the buildup of calcium crystals in the joint in a condition known as pseudogout.
[Read: Acupuncture for Wrist Pain]
What Does Research Say About Acupuncture for Knee Pain?
Extensive and exhaustive research demonstrates that acupuncture for knee pain is excellent for the cure of osteoarthritis, dysfunctioning of the knee joints, and other knee troubles.
- One study reveals acupuncture to be incredibly useful for the acceleration of celecoxib treatment.
- Another study claims that acupuncture is highly effective for enhancing the efficacy of Traditional Chinese Herbs.
- Third research gave a comparative study of the two approaches and proved that the center-square technique of application of the acupuncture needles is highly effective for the cure of osteoarthritis.
Acupuncture Points for Knee Pain
Research claims that acupuncture is highly effective for the natural cure for knee pain. A study revealed that electro-acupuncture is far better than the techniques of transcutaneous nerve stimulation and application of ice pack.
It is incredibly useful for the improvement in muscular strength and joint flexibility and suitable for the cure of stiffness in the knees and knee pain. Patients of patellofemoral pain acquire great benefits for the natural alleviation of pain and inflammation by the weekly administration of acupuncture at the specific points on both the legs.
There are eight active points of acupuncture(2). The administration of acupuncture for knee pain at these points works in curing the pain and making the knee joints firm and secure again. The following points of acupuncture are present on both the legs.
The Nose Point of the Calf
The nose point of the calf is the first point of acupuncture. The administration of needles at this point helps to provide relief from stiffness in the joints, rheumatism in the feet, pain, and edema and makes the knees flexible. This acupoint is present at the outer part of the knee cap on both the legs.
The Three-Mile Point
The three-mile point is a popular point of acupuncture that is present at about 3-4 cm beneath the knee cap region, and about a cm away from the ankle bone. Stimulation of the three-mile point with acupuncture helps in the improvement of strength in the whole body, tones the muscles, and works in the alleviation of pain in the knee joints.
[Also Read: Natural Remedies For Knee Pain]
The Nourishing Valley Point
The Nourishing valley point is present at the back of the knee cap, at the internal fold of the crease of the knees. The exact position of this point of acupuncture is at the tendon hollow of the knees. The application of acupuncture needles at this point helps in the relaxation of the knees, cures abdominal ache, and aids in the natural alleviation of genital problems.
The Shady Side of the Mountain
The acupuncture point is present on the inner side of the legs, right beneath the bulge on the thighs and at the cap of the ankle bone. Administration of acupuncture at this point helps in relieving knee cramps, muscular tension in the legs, water retention in the knee joints, swelling and edema.
The administration of acupuncture at this point regularly helps in providing relief against knee pain, muscular tension in the knees, and muscular strain.
The Point of Commanding Activity
This point of acupuncture for the knees is highly effective for the natural cure of stiffness and strain in the knees. It is present at the back of the knee cap on the edge of the crease of the knees. The stimulation of this acupoint with the fine needles regularly helps in the relief of sciatica pain, arthritis, stiffness of the knees, painful inflammation of the knees and back pain as well.
The Point of Crooked Spring
The administration of acupuncture at this point helps in the cure of swelling and inflammation in the knees. The exact location of this point is at the outer end of the knee crease on both of the legs. The administration of acupuncture at this point helps in the natural alleviation of knee pain, swelling in the knees, and problems in the fibroids.
[ Read: Get Rid of Fluid on the Knee ]
Risks Involved with Acupuncture for Knee Pain
Acupuncture is a low-risk treatment procedure for the natural cure of knee pain and injury to the knee pain. There are a few risks nonetheless, but the potent benefits of acupuncture for knee pain outweigh such nominal risk factors. Some of the dangers that you might experience with the regular administration of acupuncture include
- Soreness of the application region caused due to thin acupuncture needles
- Stomach Troubles
- Lack of physical energy and fatigue
- Slight bruising of the affected parts of the body
- A feeling of light-headedness and dizziness
- Twitching of the muscles in the places where the needles were inserted
- A strange heightening of emotions along with a sense of drowsiness
However, for a few patients who follow medications, need to stay away from acupuncture. Please take note of the following health conditions and avoid the administration of acupuncture if you suffer from any of the below complications.
- Bleeding disorders: The insertion of needles can trigger bleeding disorder and cause profuse bleeding at the acupoints.
- Pregnancy: The administration of acupuncture during pregnancy can lead to early labor and cause labor pain as well.
- Cardiac issues: For the patients of cardiac troubles with a pacemaker in the heart, it is recommended to avoid acupuncture as the impulses of electricity or heat can interfere with the working of the pacemaker.
Acupuncture is highly effective for the natural alleviation of knee pain. Acupuncture can make you feel like a fit again at the most advanced of ages with healthy and flexible knees. If you have sprained your knees or if you have arthritis, then acupuncture for knee pain is highly recommended for you.
Consult an acupuncturist before settling for a session and drive out the knee woes within a few weeks with acupuncture.
