Acupuncture for Knee Pain

Do you have a sore knee joint and don’t know what to do about it?  Try acupuncture for knee pain with our team at Nottinghill!

There are a number of sources of knee pain including ligament sprains, meniscus tears, muscle imbalances and osteoarthritis.  Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages from athletes to older adults.  There are many options for the treatment knee pain, but acupuncture is one option thats gaining increased popularity!  Acupuncture for knee pain involves inserting thin needles into specific points in the body to help stimulate healing.  Whether the root of the problem is arthritis, trauma, chronic overuse or stubborn inflammation acupuncture can provide significant relief!

Acupuncture Treatment For Knee Pain

Acupuncture is rooted in ancient Chinese medicine, but Dr.Jenn has been trained in a contemporary westernized approach to acupuncture for muscle and joint pain!  Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles along specific points in the body.  These points are along pathways, called ‘meridians’, that perfectly map out the route of big nerves in our body.  By placing needles along the path of these nerves, it stimulates a healing response to those direct points, and anywhere that nerve travels beyond that point.  Acupuncture has the ability to relax tight muscles, trigger the release of the body’s natural painkillers (endorphins) and boost blood flow to the affected areas.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

The needles used for acupuncture are very fine and sterile and one-time-use.  Inserting the needles into specific acupuncture points stimulates healing in multiple ways:

1. Nerve Stimulation:  The needles can stimulate both sensory and motor nerves.  The stimulation sends a signal to the brain and spinal cord, which helps stimulate the body’s natural pain killers – endorphins!
2. Improved Blood Flow:  Inserting needles can increase blood circulation to targeted areas, helping to reduce inflammation and promote tissue healing – which is especially useful for conditions like knee pain!
3. Muscle Relaxation:  Acupuncture can help reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation which may relieve pressure on joints and reduce associated discomfort
4. Regulation of Nervous System:  Acupuncture can help regulate the autonomic nervous system, reducing stress and supporting the body’s natural recovery processes.

Acupuncture For Knee Ligament Pain

Knee ligament sprains – such an injuries to the ACL, MCL, LCL – are common among athletes and active individuals, often resulting from sudden twists, impacts, or overstitching of the joint. These injuries can lead to significant pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced mobility, making daily activities or sports performance difficult.  When a ligament is sprained, surrounding tissues often become tight or inflamed as the body tried to protect the inured area.

Acupuncture helps by improving blood flow to the join which delivers oxygen and nutrients needed for repair while flushing out inflammatory byproducts.  Acupuncture will help to reduce swelling and stiffness in the knee.  Acupuncture for the knee will help to calm over-active pain signals via the release of endorphins.  Patients often reports a significant reduction in knee pain after just a few sessions.  Whether you’re dealing with a mild sprain or recovering from a more serious ligament injury, acupuncture can be an extremely effective part of a treatment plan!

Acupuncture for Meniscus Pain and Meniscus Tears

A meniscus tear is another common knee injury, especially among athletes and those who engage in repetitive knee movements.  Meniscus pain and tears occur when the cartilage that cushions and stabilizes the knee joint- the meniscus – is torn due to trauma or degeneration.  Symptoms can include pain, swelling, clicking/locking of the knee and difficulty with weight-bearing.  The meniscus is a structure with extremely poor blood flow. This means that healing the meniscus can be difficult.

Acupuncture will improve blood flow to the knee which will reduce swelling.  Acupuncture will relax the surrounding musculature which are often tight due to overcompensation in effort to manage the pain.  While acupuncture will not ‘repair’ a torn meniscus, it can play a very powerful role in managing symptoms and promoting a faster recovery.

Acupuncture for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), often referred to as ‘runner’s knee’, is a common condition that causes pain around the front of the knee and kneecap.  It’s frequently seen in runners, cyclists and active individuals.  Pain typically worsens with activities like squatting climbing stairs or prolonged walking/running.  A classic sign is ‘movie-goers knee’, which is a symptom where pain arises/worsens after being sitting for a long period of time.  This syndrome is caused by a maltracking/misalignment of the patella (knee cap) along the femur (thigh bone)

For PFPS, acupuncture can help relieve muscle tightness around the quadriceps, hamstrings and hip flexors – key contributors to knee cap misalignment and knee pain.  Targeting these areas with acupuncture helps restore proper movement and balance around the knee joint.  Acupuncture treatment for PFPS is customized to include points around the knee, thigh and lower leg to help restore function and alleviate pain!

Acupuncture for Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition that results from the gradual breakdown of cartilage in the knee joint.  As the cartilage wears away, bones begin to rub against each other, leading to pain, swelling and reduced mobility.  This condition affects millions of people, especially older adults, and can significantly limited daily activities and decrease quality of life.

Acupuncture for knee pain caused by OA will help to modulate pain signals and reduce the inflammatory response associated with OA.  Regular acupuncture treatments can drastically reduce pain, improve mobility and help to maintain overall function of the knee.  One of the key benefits associated with acupuncture for knee OA is it’s ability to help manage pain without the unpleasant side effects often associated with pain medication.  Acupuncture will not reverse cartilage damage, but it can be an effective part of a treatment plan for managing pain and keeping the knee mobile.

Acupuncture Treatment For Knee Pain

Acupuncture sessions are typically 20-30 minutes long.  The acupuncture needles are inserted into points around the knee, thigh, lower leg and foot depending on the condition being treated.  Our acupuncture team will work with you to find a comfortable position so that you can relax for the duration of the needling.

The acupuncture procedure is painless, and patients often leave a session feeling relaxed.  Many of our patients report having a great sleep the night following appointments.