Knee pain is a very common complaint among both children and adults. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 11 million visits are made each year to physicians’ offices because of knee problems.The knee is the largest joint in the body. It is made up of the lower end of the femur and the upper end of the tibia; plus there are numerous ligaments, tendons and muscles that add to the knee’s complex structure. It is the most frequently injured joint in humans, and is also very often affected by arthritis, especially in the elderly and overweight people. Many athletes experience knee injuries, particularly to the ligaments. And as we age the amount of knee cartilage decreases which can cause inflammation and pain.
Acupuncture has been shown in numerous studies to be effective in relieving knee pain and improving knee function, especially in arthritic conditions of the knee and knee joint. Acupuncture can ease the pain some people feel while waiting for knee surgery, and in some cases, it may help avoid surgery. It’s worth having a conversation with your acupuncturist about!