Knee Osteoarthritis refers to a chronic disease, characterized by pathologic changes of the knee joints. It is clinically manifested as pain, deformity and rigidity in knee joints. It is commonly seen in elders. Acupuncture does well in treating Knee Osteoarthritis. In the clinic there are five ways which are used: acupuncture, acupuncture with moxibustion, moxibustion, acupuncture with electronic device, and needle bleeding with cupping.
1. Acupuncture
Needling the local points around knee joints helps to improve the blood circulation and the activities of muscles and tendons, to manage pain, stiffness and other symptoms. Usually, the points used for Knee Osteoarthritis are: St36, Sp9, Gb34, St35, Knee eye, St34, and Sp10.
2. Acupuncture with moxibustion
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, coldness is considered to be one of the causes of Knee Osteoarthritis. People with Knee Osteoarthritis usually feel worse in cold weather or winter time. The warming function of moxibustion going through needles into the joints helps get rid of the coldness in Knee joints.The pain will be managed, as well as, the tightness.
3. Moxibustion
Moxibustion can also be used directly without acupuncture on Knee Osteoarthritis. Similar to acupuncture with moxibustion, direct moxibustion creates warming to activate local points around knee to help resolve swelling and stop pain. This technology is easier done by individual.
4. Acupuncture with electronic device
Acupuncture with a low-frequency pulse electronic device is another option to help Knee Osteoarthritis. Low-frequency pulse electricity can activate local blood circulation within knee joints and muscles and tendons. Also, it works well on reducing swelling and pain.
5. Needle bleeding with cupping
Knee Osteoarthritis can cause local slow blood circulation and blood obstruction so needle bleeding with cupping can create negative pressure to suction out the blood stasis in knee joints out so that fresh blood can go to nourish knee and improve Knee Osteoarthritis. The point Ub40 is used for this technique.
In all, combined with healthy personal life maintenance such as avoiding cold and moderate exercise, acupuncture helps to improve Knee Osteoarthritis.
(Copyright by Dr. Jiao Huang at CITCM Calgary AB – Published with permission)