Two knee pain research studies confirm that acupuncture is more effective than pain medications for long-term relief of knee osteoarthritis pain, inflammation, and motor impairment. In one study, acupuncture and herbal medicine outperformed acupuncture with ibuprofen for pain relief. In another study, acupuncture got better results than diclofenac for relieving pain and inflammation due to knee osteoarthritis.
Knee Pain Research Study #1
Acupuncture plus herbs outperform ibuprofen to relieve knee pain and inflammation. Researchers at Guangxi Lingshan County Hospital evaluated pain medications, electroacupuncture, and herbal medicine for treating knee osteoarthritis. The results of the randomized-controlled clinical trial found acupuncture plus herbs more effective than ibuprofen and acupuncture.
Acupuncture and Herbs
All of the patients in the study had knee pain and dysfunction due to osteoarthritis. Patients receiving herbs plus electroacupuncture had an 86% success rate. A second group of patients received ibuprofen plus electroacupuncture. That group had a 63% total effective rate. Both groups improved, but the group receiving electroacupuncture and herbs outperformed the group receiving electroacupuncture and ibuprofen by 23%.
Chinese Herbs for Knee Pain
The researchers designed their knee pain research investigation directly from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) classic prescriptions for knee osteoarthritis. The herbal formula chosen for the study, Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, has been in use since the Tang Dynasty. Sun Si-Miao first published its uses and composition in the Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang (Thousands of Golden Prescriptions for Emergencies). The formula plays an important roll in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating chronic pain. Modern research confirms that Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang combined with acupuncture is highly effective for treating knee osteoarthritis.
Acupuncture for Knee Pain
The acupuncture point prescription utilized in this knee pain research study combined local acupoints with organ and Ashi points. Practitioners needled Dubi (ST35) and Neixiyan (MNLE16), known as Xiyan (Eyes of the Knee). This famous point combination is named based on its location in the hollows below the patella on the medial and lateral sides of the kneecap. Additional points included:
Liangqiu (ST34)
Xuehai (SP10)
Yanglingquan (GB34)
Heding (MLE27)
Ashi
Study #1 Participants
The study enrolled and randomly divided 60 patients into two groups – 30 into the acupuncture plus herbs group and 30 into the acupuncture plus ibuprofen control group. Both received identical electroacupuncture therapy. The treatment group took Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, while the control group received ibuprofen sustained-release capsules.
After administering manual acupuncture, the practitioners elicited a deqi (achy) sensation at the site of the needle. They then connected the acupuncture needles to an electroacupuncture device set to a continuous wave, retaining needles for 30 minutes. Patients received a 30-minute electroacupuncture session every day for 20 days.
Du Huo Ji Shen
A slightly modified version of Du Huo Ji Sheng, for the treatment group, included the following herbs:
Dang Gui (9 g)
Bai Shao (12 g)
Chuan Xiong (6 g)
Shu Di Huang (10 g)
Dang Shen (18 g)
Fu Ling (12 g)
Du Zhong (12 g)
Niu Xi (15 g)
Qin Jiu (10 g)
Fang Feng (10 g)
Du Huo (10 g)
Sang Ji Sheng (30 g)
Xi Xin (3 g)
Gan Cao (6 g)
Gui Zhi (9 g)
Practitioners prescribed additional herbs according to individual symptoms. For arthralgia, they included the following herbs:
Yin Yang Huo (10 g)
Yan Hu Suo (12 g)
For knee pain and swelling:
Yi Yi Ren (30 g)
Huang Bai (10 g)
For qi deficiency:
Huang Qi (30 g)
Herbal and Pain Medicine Dosages
Patients received two doses daily, one in the morning and one at night, for 20 days. For the drug control group patients, practitioners gave patients two 0.3 g ibuprofen sustained release capsules daily, one after breakfast and one after dinner, for 20 days.
Knee Pain Research Evaluation
Investigators evaluated patients before and after the treatment course, assessing joint function and knee osteoarthritis severity based on the Lysholm Knee Score Standard (LKSS). They calculated the effective treatment rate for each patient group (treatment and control) as the percentage of patients who achieved at least an effective treatment tier of improvement.
In addition, they categorized the treatment efficacy for each patient into 1 of 3 levels:
Significantly effective: Complete or significant absence of symptoms. ≥70% improvement in LKSS score.
Effective: Symptoms showed improvement. ≥30% but <70% improvement in LKSS score.
Not effective: Symptoms showed no visible improvement. <30% improvement in LKSS score.
The knee pain research confirms that herbs and acupuncture outperformed drugs and acupuncture. This result is clinically significant for two reasons. First, the herbal medicine with acupuncture protocol does not cause gastrointestinal distress common with ibuprofen. Second, this is a proven treatment option for relieving disability and pain from knee osteoarthritis.
Additional Knee Pain Research
Sun et al. had similar results in their independent knee pain research study published in the Anhui Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal. The researchers found acupuncture plus moxibustion more effective than diclofenac (an NSAID) for relieving knee osteoarthritis pain and motor impairment.
The NSAID had a faster onset of action, but acupuncture produced significantly greater positive outcomes for long-term relief. The primary acupoints used in the study included Xiyan (M-NLE-16) and Heding (M-LE-27), two local acupoints commonly used to treat knee disorders.
Acupuncture Point Prescription
Practitioners added acupoints to address specific issues. For yang ming channel knee osteoarthritis issues, they added acupoints:
ST34 (Liangqiu)
ST36 (Zusanli)
ST32 (Futu)
Shao yang channel pain received acupoints:
GB34 (Yanglinquan)
GB33 (Xiyangguan)
GB36 (Waiqiu)
GB39 (Juegu)
Tai yang channel disorders included acupoints:
BL40 (Weizhong)
BL39 (Weiyang)
BL57 (Chengshan)
BL60 (Kunlun)
Tai yin-related disorders received acupoints:
SP10 (Xuehai)
SP9 (Yinlingquan)
SP3 (Taibai)
Jue yin channel issues included acupoints:
LV7 (Xiguan)
LV3 (Taichong)
LV9 (Yinbao)
Additional Acupuncture Points
For wind-cold channel concerns, they added:
LI11 (Quchi)
DU14 (Dazhui)
GB20 (Fengchi)
Blood stasis received the following additional points:
LV3 (Taichong)
BL17 (Geshu)
SP10 (Xuehai)
For liver and kidney-related conditions, practitioners added the following acupuncture points:
BL18 (Ganshu)
BL23 (Shenshu)
CV6 (Qihai)
Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Acupuncture combined with moxibustion produced a positive patient outcome rate of 63%. The NSAID had a 33% success rate for treating knee osteoarthritis.
Knee Pain Research Conclusions
Both knee pain research studies demonstrate acupuncture’s effectiveness in relieving knee osteoarthritis inflammation, pain, and motor dysfunction. Based on the data, the researchers recommended acupuncture and other TCM modalities as viable treatment options.
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References
Liang CX. (2013). Clinical Observation on Duhuo Jisheng Decoction Combined with Acupuncture Treating 30 Cases of Knee Osteoarthritis. Journal of World Chinese Medicine. 8(10).
Li JG & Zhang J. (2009). TCM in treating osteoarthritis. Journal of Henan University of Chinese Medicine. 24(2):105-107.
Sun K, Huang XY & Wei FL. (2015). Clinical study on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis by acupuncture of Wei’s acupoints. Anhui Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal. 19(8).
Chen B, Fang ZC & Xiong FL. (2011). Acupuncture in treating knee osteoarthritis and improving the patient’s quality of life. Journal of Guiyang College. 33(3): 7-9.
Focus key phrase: knee pain research
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto: https://www.pexels.com/photo/men-putting-his-hand-on-another-persons-knee-4826687/
What our Clients are Saying
My knees were so bad with arthritis that I couldn’t play golf. My wife did research on the internet and said acupuncture might help. I went in not expecting much. He told me it would take three to six treatments to see if it would work. My case was tougher because I’m overweight. Sure enough, after five treatments the pain started easing. I needed twelve treatments total, but my knees improved so much I’m playing golf again. I go in for what he calls tune-ups every month, but I don’t mind. The acupuncture keeps my knees not hurting. I’ve recommended it to my golf buddies and they’ve had success as well.
Raleigh Acupuncture was recommended by a friend after I mentioned my insomnia and dependency on a sleeping pill. My apprehension was short lived because of the results of my visits to Dr. Mark. With acupuncture treatments and Chinese herbs I was able to begin sleeping well and continue to do so. Dr. Mark is a good listener and encourages his patients in all health issues as well as the original purpose for treatment. Consequently, my knees are stronger and I’m walking better and with more confidence. I haven’t had the need for a cortisone shot in a year and a half. Occasionally, I would use a cane and it’s now somewhere gathering dust. Also, I had a persistent headache that my primary physician had no solution for, and after two acupuncture treatments it’s a thing of the past. Hot flashes were another issue that was treated successfully. I am so grateful to have found a knowledgeable and caring person to treat my ailments, many of which I thought would only grow worse as I aged. Generally, I feel healthier.
I love to play golf, that’s my passion. But I’m overweight and my knees hurt so bad I couldn’t even walk the course. My wife told me to try acupuncture. These guys were straight with me, said to try six treatments to see if my knees would respond. I’ll tell you, nothing happened at first. But, by the sixth treatment my knees starting feeling better. I got six more treatments after that and now I’m playing golf again. They don’t hurt so much any more. From a 10 out of 10, now they’re at a 3. I can live with that.
My knees were so bad I couldn’t walk down the stairs without holding on to the railing for dear life. I’m also deathly afraid of needles. So they used extra tiny needles on my knees and in three treatments my knee pain was gone. Incredible! I highly recommend Raleigh Acupuncture for anyone with knee pain.
This was my first time trying out acupuncture. I had a great experience and was made to feel very comfortable with the whole process. The treatment I received on my knee definitely helped with my tendinitis. I would recommend Raleigh Acupuncture to anyone.