Acupuncture for Painful Knees

Acupuncture for Knee Pain

Knee pain is a common problem for people all over the country.  It effects athletes and those that are sedentary equally. When your knee are in pain or swollen with constant throbbing, it can make your life really difficult. Many types of pain resolve by simply resting and taking it easy for a while. Chronic pain often requires the help of a healthcare practitioner. Acupuncture has been used for knee pain and many other conditions for many many years.

Acupuncture Treatment for Painful Knees

There is considerable scientific evidence that it's effective for treating osteoarthritis and it is a time tested method of resolving knee pain almost instantly. Acupuncture treatments for knee discomfort involves the insertion of tiny needles at specific points throughout the body. Treatments can be used in combination with standard self-care treatments and medical treatments or as a stand-alone treatment. Acupuncture is recognized as a mainstream branch of healthcare, and has gained widespread acceptance which has led to it's increased use.

Acupuncture Knee Treatment

During an acupuncture treatment, your practitioner will ask you questions and take a history of your signs and symptoms. Some of those signs/symptoms are directly related to the knee pain and other are not specifically related to the knee pain.  Acupuncture, which is part of Chinese Medicine, has a different way of looking at the body and assessing issues that relate to ailments, illnesses, pain, etc.  Some of these questions may seem unrelated, but Chinese Medicine at it's core believes that one's body is not a bunch of separate parts, but a whole, connected, and interdependent physiological components.  These components work together like a functioning machine.  If one component is not functioning correctly, then it throws everything else off and leads to health issues or conditions.  The treatment usually lasts for about an hour, during which the acupuncturist inserts about 10-15 needles into and around your knee joint and other areas of the body. You will rest this way for about 20-30 minutes. After he/she removes each of the needles, the acupuncturist may also perform a soft tissue massage around the knee and surrounding painful areas. You may need treatments for a duration of one to two months to fully relieve your pain. The acupuncturist may give you exercises or instructions to complete at home to continue with your treatment plan.

Benefits of Acupuncture

There are many health benefits to acupuncture aside from just acupuncture for knee pain. After each treatment, you should find that your pain lessens and your knee function improves. Many health insurance plans cover acupuncturist treatments performed by specific providers, which may significantly lower your cost of pain relief. Because acupuncturist treatments have been in use for more than 2,000 years around the world, the risks of treatment are well-known and are minimal in nature. Very few people experience any side effects from acupuncture.