Many people especially athletes experience knee injuries, particularly to the knee ligaments. Everyone are familiar with the acronym ACL, which stands for anterior cruciate ligament. ACL tears can be caused by rapidly twisting or changing directions; landing from a jump or suddenly slow down. Injuries to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) are usually caused by contact to outside of knee.
However, Knee pain isn’t restricted to professional athletes. When people gets 35 years older, the amount of cartilage in the knee starts to decreases, ligaments begin to lose some of their elasticity, making them more susceptible or easy to pain and/or injury.
What can acupuncture help your knee?
Studies have shown acupuncture is an effective therapy in relieving certain types of knee pain, especially arthritic conditions of the knee and knee joint. A 1999 study comparing electro-acupuncture to ice massage and transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) for subjects with osteoarthritis found that acupuncture can decrease pain and stiffness levels and increase muscle strength and flexibility inside knee. In another study published in that same year, patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome might benefit from weekly acupuncture treatments. There are several but smaller studies have confirmed that acupuncture can reduce knee pain, stiffness and increase physical ability in patients with knee and knee-related problems. It can ease the discomfort and in some cases, it may even be considered an alternative, holistic treatment to surgery.
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