Skip to main content

Acupuncture and Acupuncture and Knee Pain

What is knee pain?
Knee pain is a fairly common complaint among both children and adults. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 11 million visits are made to physicians' offices each year because of a knee or knee-related problem. It is the most often treated anatomical site by orthopedists, and one of the most oft-examined sites among general practitioners.
The knee is the largest joint in the body. It is made up of the lower end of the thighbone (or femur), which rotates on the upper end of the shinbone (tibia), and the kneecap, which slides in a grove on the end of the femur. The knee joint also contains several muscles, which straighten the leg and bend the leg at the knee; tendons, which attach the muscles to the bones; ligaments, which help control motion by connecting bones; and cartilage, which serves to cushion the knee or help it absorb shock during motion.
Because of its size, and because it is such a complex structure, it is also one of the most frequently injured joints. Knee injuries can be caused by several factors. Most complaints of knee pain result from some form of trauma, such as a torn or ruptured ligament; a broken or fractured kneecap; torn cartilage; or an accident that causes damage to the area or strains the knee beyond its normal range of motion. Other conditions that can lead to knee pain are infections; arthritis; hemarthrosis (blood in the knee joint); cysts; and bone tumors. Being overweight can also contribute to knee problems by causing excess strain on ligaments and cartilage.
Who suffers from knee pain?
Many athletes experience knee injuries, particularly to the knee ligaments. Nearly everyone has become familiar with the acronym ACL, which stands for anterior cruciate ligament. ACL tears can be caused by rapidly twisting or changing directions; slowing down when running; or landing from a jump. Injuries to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) are usually caused by contact on the outside of the knee.
Knee pain isn't restricted to professional athletes, however. As people get older, the amount of cartilage in the knee decreases, and many ligaments begin to lose some of their elasticity, making them more susceptible to pain and/or injury.
What can acupuncture do?
Studies have shown acupuncture to be effective in relieving certain types of knee pain, especially arthritic conditions of the knee and knee joint. A 1999 study comparing electroacupuncture to ice massage and transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) for subjects with osteoarthritis found that acupuncture decreased pain and stiffness levels and increased muscle strength and flexion in the knee. Another study published that same year suggested that patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome might benefit from weekly acupuncture treatments. Smaller studies have confirmed that acupuncture is beneficial in reducing knee pain, stiffness and physical disability in patients with knee and knee-related problems. It can ease the discomfort some subjects feel while waiting for knee surgery, and in some cases, it may even be considered an alternative to surgery.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Acupuncture Ups Memory and Protects Brain Cells

New research reveals that acupuncture prevents brain cell loss in memory areas of the brain. The new laboratory findings also show that acupuncture improves cognition. The researchers note that these findings suggest that acupuncture is a potential treatment for cognitive impairment disorders and Alzheimer’s disease. Acupuncture Needles The new laboratory findings show that acupuncture prevents neuron loss in the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for memory and spatial navigation. The hippocampus is one of the first regions of the brain that suffers damage in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Using the Morris water maze test, the middle-aged mice used in the study who received acupuncture showed significantly less cognitive deficits. The combination of improved maze test results combined with greater preservation of brain neurons prompted the researchers to suggest that acupuncture may help human subjects suffering from cognitive disorders. The researchers note, “Thes...
Post a Comment
Read more

Benign brain tumors in Chinese medicine

  In Chinese medicine, the understanding and treatment of benign brain tumors can be approached from a holistic perspective. Chinese medicine views the body as a whole and seeks to restore balance and harmony to promote health. It's important to note that the information provided here is based on traditional Chinese medicine principles and concepts, and it's always advisable to consult with a qualified practitioner for a comprehensive diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. In Chinese medicine, benign brain tumors are often classified as phlegm and stagnant blood accumulations. The formation of these accumulations is believed to be influenced by factors such as improper diet, emotional stress, constitutional imbalances, or external pathogenic factors. Here are some common approaches used in Chinese medicine for the management of benign brain tumors: Acupuncture: Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of energ...
Post a Comment
Read more

whispered shadow,

 T he eternal dance between yin and yang. Yin, the whispered shadow, the elusive essence that cradles the soul in its tender embrace. A murmur of quietude, a recess of contemplation, yin resides as the dormant womb from whence all life finds its genesis. And then yang, the unrelenting vitality, the surge of fervor that propels the spirit forth. It blazes in the zenith sun, an unrestrained crescendo of existence. Yang is the crescendo of action, the fervid call to movement and assertion, the pulse of life's heartbeat echoing through the corridors of time. This dance, this ceaseless intertwining, as intricate as the inner workings of the mind, as elaborate as the stories spun through the ages. It is a dance of harmony, where yin and yang find their equilibrium, where the symphony of life attains its most harmonious chord. But equilibrium is a delicate construct, a house of cards perched on the precipice of imbalance. An excess of yang, an untempered fire, or an unchecked yin, a sea o...
Post a Comment
Read more