According to the Mayo Clinic, knee pain is a common complaint affecting people of all ages. Knee pain can be a result of ruptured ligaments or torn cartilage. Medical conditions such as gout, arthritis and infection can also cause knee pain. There are identifiable symptoms, causes and risk factors commonly associated with chronic knee pain. Proper treatment can result in complete alleviation of chronic knee pain.
Symptoms of Knee Pain:
- Weakness and instability
- Redness and warm to touch
- Swelling and stiffness
- Popping or crunching noises
- “Locking” or inability to straighten
Causes of Knee Pain:
- Arthritis (knee osteoarthritis) – most commonly associated with people over 50 years of age. Lack of lubrication between joints & inflammation
- Ligament injury – anterior cruciate ligament injuries (ACL), medial collateral ligament injuries (MCL) and posterior cruciate ligament injuries (PCL)
- Overweight or obese – serious impact on knee joints. Weight loss alone can often reduce symptoms considerably
- Meniscus Tears – cartilage that distributes weight of the body evenly. Tears common with sport injury & aging
There are many risk factors associated with knee problems including but not limited to:
- Age
- Excess weight
- Mechanical problems
- Lack of flexibility and strength
- Limited range of motion
- Sports
- Pre-existing injuries
Acupuncture treatments provide a safe, natural way to alleviate knee pain. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sees the human body as an integrated being. It works with vital energies inherent within all living things to promote the body’s ability to heal itself. Qi (pronounced “chee”) is a vital energy that flows through meridians, pathways that run throughout the entire body. Qi protects the body from illness and provides nourishment to cells, tissues, muscles and organs. During acupuncture treatments, fine, sterile needles are inserted at specific acupoints along these meridians to release Qi, unblock obstructions and correct imbalance.
Acupuncture Helps Knee Pain:
- Increase blood circulation to an injured area
- Relax the stiffened muscles
- Reduce joints inflammation
- Promote tissues healing
- Provide natural pain relief
- Improve range of movement
Acupuncture practitioners recommend a holistic health approach inclusive of herbal remedies, massage and stretching. According to Eastern holistic medicine, treatment of knee pain requires lifestyle changes with overall health as its goal.
- Exercise increases flexibility, maintains weight and strengthens muscles
- Diets including anti-inflammatories, unprocessed and organic foods
- Stress reduction through breath, meditation and yoga
- Achieving a balance of rest and relaxation
