Research suggests that the ancient practice of acupuncture can relieve pain for several conditions and success rates from acupuncture have been high in treating knee pain from arthritis. Acupuncture promotes an anti-inflammatory effect and releases “endogenous opioid endorphins,” or the compounds that your body produces and releases to relieve pain. Together, those two effects can reduce the stiffness you feel in your knees and improve your range of motion and overall function.
Acupuncture Points
You have acupuncture points all over your body. At an acupuncture session for arthritis pain in your knee, your doctor will focus on the meridians that affect your knee joints. You’ll lie down comfortably while your provider inserts the thin needles into the acupuncture sites. Because the needles are so thin, you may not even feel them. Depending on your particular case, your doctor may gently twist or swirl the needles to stimulate healing. You’ll lie down and relax with the needles inserted for 10 to 20 minutes. After the session, you may feel energized or a relaxed kind of sleepy — everyone responds differently to acupuncture.