Knee Pain and Function Improved by Acupuncture

New research concludes that acupuncture “may improve knee pain and function.”

The research reviewed 60 studies from which 13 met the inclusion criteria of a randomized controlled study.

Four major groups were investigated. Group one examined post-operative knee pain. The second group looked at the effects of acupuncture on non-placebo controls and the third group examined non-penetrating placebos. A fourth group included penetrating placebos.

Much of the public interest in acupuncture for the treatment of knee pain and dysfunction began with NIH (National Institutes of Health) research into the subject. A 2004 report of the study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine specifically states that acupuncture is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis of the knees.