Acupuncture For Osteoarthritis Of The Knee

Acupuncture for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

One of the most common conditions we treat with acupuncture is osteoarthritis of the knee. If you suffer with osteoarthritic knees, you know the chronic pain that it can inflict. Climbing stairs, walking, even simple tasks like standing up can be a challenge. The inflammation and stiffness caused by the osteoarthritis restricts knee movement and increases pain levels. In recent years, acupuncture research shows it to be an effective form of treatment for osteoarthritis, especially in the knees. Also, with the health concerns of pain relievers and opioids, acupuncture provides a safe alternative to those opiate medications. A lot of medical professionals avoid prescribing pain medication, especially opioids, for pain, because of their addictive qualities. Research shows acupuncture to be an effective way to treat osteoarthritis pain with very little risk for the patient.  In fact, low frequency electrical stimulation of the acupuncture needles causes the body to release its own built in pain medication called opioid peptides. Acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knees may be you answer to reducing pain.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine, with a rich history and lineage dating back thousands of years. It involves inserting hair-thin needles into the body to promote pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Patients with knee arthritis respond particularly well to electro-acupuncture. At HealthWorks Regina, acupuncture techniques such as electro-acupuncture are used regularly to provide patients with pain relief, decreased inflammation and improved function. When knee arthritis is mild or moderate, a limited number of sessions produce very good results.  When combined with exercise, physiotherapy, massage therapy or chiropractic, you may find significant pain relief with the addition of acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture’s Proven Benefits

Many clinical studies support acupuncture’s abilities to relieve osteoarthritis pain, particularly in the knee. One study of 18,000 patients found acupuncture to be helpful for many pain conditions, including knee osteoarthritis. In addition to promoting an anti-inflammatory effect, studies show that acupuncture releases endogenous opioid endorphins (the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals).

Minimize the Toll Arthritis Takes

Don’t let arthritis of the knee keep you in constant pain, and limit your ability to function and enjoy life. But today, more than ever, it’s important to look beyond chronic pain medicine, especially opioids, for solutions. Acupuncture is a good option to keep in mind to decrease pain, inflammation and stiffness, and increase range of motion, in your knee, which can improve your overall quality of life, meaning you can better participate in all of your day-to-day activities, whether that’s at work, the park, or the gym. Are osteoarthritic knees keeping you from getting back to the activities that you enjoy, causing you ongoing pain and decreasing your ability to function? If you are looking for an effective way to reduce your use of medications, especially opiates, and get treatment effective treatment for your osteoarthritic knees, give acupuncture at HealthWorks Regina a try. Call our office at 306-525-0007 and book an appointment today.