The providers at Integrative Acupuncture in Montpelier and Williston have a great deal of experience treating knee pain. Being the largest joint in the body, the knee takes a lot of wear and tear. The most common causes of knee pain are due to injury from sports and every day overuse. Acupuncture can reduce knee pain and swelling while improving function. A 2016 study indicates that acupuncture represents certain clinical effect on osteoarthritic knee pain which is superior compared with physiotherapy, and shows possible roles of acupuncture in promoting cartilage repairing.
How Does Western Medicine Treat Knee Pain?
Western medicine treats knee pain with varying tools depending on the severity of injury. A simple injury may only require RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation). More complicated injuries may require surgery. Often western medicine recommends pain relieving medications along with physical therapy and acupuncture. A landmark study was conducted by the National Institutes of Health proving acupuncture’s effectiveness for knee pain and has gained the attention of many physicians and surgeons who now frequently refer to acupuncture for knee pain. Acupuncture is recommended as a first line treatment by the American College of Physicians in their 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines for acute and chronic low back pain and by the National Institutes of Health for low back pain and knee osteoarthritis.
How Does Acupuncture Treat Knee Pain?
At Integrative Acupuncture, we frequently work with patients with mild knee pain to post operative patients looking to recover faster and use less addictive pain medications. We are experts at integrating acupuncture with your current treatment plan, be it physical therapy, massage or working with a surgeon.
Acupuncture works to increase circulation of blood to the area of pain while significantly reducing inflammation, allowing for an increase of range of motion. Endorphins are naturally released from your brain during acupuncture, which reduces pain immediately. We may incorporate other Chinese medical modalities to treat your knee pain effectively, like moxibustion, heat, or massage.
We have successfully treated patients with:
- Bursitis
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Post Operative Knee Pain
- Meniscus Tears (pain reduction)
- Runner’s Knee
- Ligament Injuries
We want you to feel better as fast as possible! Contact us in Vermont to access effective acupuncture for your knee pain and begin to heal.
Speak With An Expert
Acupuncture is Beneficial for Knee Pain
Acupuncture can be really, really helpful at helping patients with knee pain. The knee is a complex structure for us. It doesn’t have a lot of blood flow in the area.
That is one of the main reasons why acupuncture is really, really beneficial for knee pain, because acupuncture needles increase the blood flow to the area. And when we have a structure such as the knee, when we get injuries such as tendonitis, or maybe a torn ACL ligament, or torn meniscus in the knee, when we have an increase of blood supply to the knee, our body helps us heal quicker. So that is why acupuncture is so helpful for knee pain.
Sources:
Berman BM, Lao L, Langenberg P, et al. Effectiveness of Acupuncture as Adjunctive Therapy in Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Ann Intern Med. 2004;141:901–910. doi: https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-141-12-200412210-00006
Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, et al, for the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166:514–530. [Epub ahead of print 14 February 2017]. doi: https://doi.org/10.7326/M16-2367
