Acupuncture For
Knee & Joint Pain
Arthritis, an old sports injury, swelling, or a knee that only complains on the stairs: joint pain takes many forms, and we see all of them at our clinics in Waimea and Kona. Knee pain often lives in a very specific spot. Many people can press on it and feel it right away, or show us exactly where it hurts with one finger. Other times the whole knee aches, swells, or only complains on the stairs.
We treat the knee together with the hip above it and the lower leg below it, and use acupuncture and moxa to help ease swelling and pain in the joint.
What We See
Where Knees Hurt
Where the pain sits tells us a lot about how quickly it's likely to respond.
The Inner Knee
Pain on the inside of the knee, either around the inner knee crease or along the inner edge of the kneecap and just below it on the bone, where several tendons attach to the shin (an area called the pes anserine). It's usually one very specific point you can feel the moment it's pressed.
In our experience, this kind responds very quickly to acupuncture and moxa, sometimes with relief right on the table.
The Outer Knee
Pain along the outside edge of the knee, running up and down the side of the leg. This is often linked to the iliotibial (IT) band.
This kind is a little trickier. It can improve, but it doesn't always respond as fast as the inner knee.
All Around the Kneecap
An ache that circles the whole kneecap rather than sitting in one spot. Doctors often call this patellofemoral pain.
Another tricky kind. Treatment can help, and it usually takes a bit longer.
How We Treat It
Above, Below & the Hip
We open the way below the knee
In Chinese medicine terms, think of the leg as a garden hose where the water has stopped moving and gotten stuck at the knee. Points below the knee help open that pathway again, so blood can flow freely through the joint.
We look up into the hip
The hip is often involved in knee pain. We check the bands along the side of the hip, the muscles deep in the buttock around the piriformis, and the front of the hip near the hip bone. Most of the time we treat all three areas: hip, knee, and lower leg. Physical therapists call this the kinetic chain, and problems in the hip can also send pain down to the knee.
Easing swelling and pain
In our experience, acupuncture and moxa often ease swelling and pain, and sometimes the relief is immediate. Studies show acupuncture can increase local blood flow, which may be part of why.
For knee osteoarthritis, the 2019 American College of Rheumatology / Arthritis Foundation guideline conditionally recommends acupuncture as part of care.
Something We See Often
Swollen Knees & Stairs
Swollen, aching knees
Sometimes the whole knee swells up and hurts all over. Often this is osteoarthritis, and it can make every step feel heavy. A new swollen knee is worth having a doctor check first, so other causes can be ruled out.
Here moxa really shines. It brings a deep, soothing warmth into the knee that many people describe as a feel-good kind of relief, and together with acupuncture it often helps the swelling settle.
Pain on the stairs
Some knees feel fine on level ground and only hurt going up or down stairs. This can be treated too, though it may take a bit longer. Stair pain often comes with tightness in the hip, so we treat the hip, the knee, and the lower leg together.
Hips, Hands & More
Joint Pain
Joint pain can show up almost anywhere: hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, fingers, and ankles. Often it's osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear kind that builds slowly over the years, and sometimes it follows an old injury.
Wherever it appears, we use acupuncture and moxa the same way: to help ease swelling and bring fresh blood flow to the area, so the joint can move more freely with less pain. The gentle warmth of moxa is especially soothing for stiff, achy joints.
For ongoing arthritic pain, herbal medicine can support treatment between visits.
Find Relief
Take the Next Step
Whether it's one sore spot on the inside of your knee or a joint that has ached for years, call or text either of us.
New patient? Download the intake forms (PDF)
Print them and bring them to your first visit.