Acupuncture
In acupuncture, tiny needles are inserted into the skin at acupoints or holes. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that dates back thousands of years, known to aid in healing, pain relief, and relaxation. Several clinical trials have supported the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating knee pain. Thousands of patients with chronic pain in the knee were reported to have alleviated symptoms through acupuncture treatments.
When acupuncture needles are inserted, they send a signal up the spinal cord to the brain, which may cause the production of endorphins. These are the “feel good” chemicals that reduce pain perception. The production of cortisol, a hormone that regulates inflammation, may be reduced if acupuncture is used. Also, short-term improvements in knee function and mobility may be achieved due to acupuncture’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Acupuncture may enhance both short- and long-term physical function and mobility and give several weeks of short-term pain alleviation in patients with persistent knee pain due to osteoarthritis. Also, using acupuncture to treat rheumatoid arthritis is a promising new area of research. Acupuncture helps people with rheumatoid arthritis on its own and in conjunction with other treatments. However, some research suggests that acupuncture has short-term benefits but no long-term effects.
