How Acupuncture Can Help with Arthritic Knee Pain

Osteoarthritis is one of the leading causes of knee pain and manifests as chronic pain, swelling, and difficulty in moving the joint. Doctors around the world are striving to avoid the traditional course of managing the symptoms, i.e., opioids due to their side effects.

Acupuncture has emerged as a cost-effective alternative to the treatment of arthritic knee pain and poses a lesser risk for the patients.

If you have been suffering from chronic pain due to arthritis or other injuries, get in touch with Southgate Physio in North London at once. Our certified physiotherapists will conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify the underlying cause of your pain and suggest the best solutions for the condition.

A Brief into the Theory of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a system of healthcare that deals with restoring the vital energy that flows through our body called qi (said “chi”). In oriental medicine, it is believed that qi flows through meridians and when they are blocked, the energy flow in the body is disrupted, leading to various illnesses and pain. The treatment works by stimulating one or more of the 2000 acupuncture points that connect to the meridian to correct the flow of qi and alleviate pain.

Western medicine does not recognise the theories of “qi” and meridians. However, extensive research (1) has been conducted in identifying the underlying benefits of acupuncture in relieving pain. According to the results, it is now accepted that acupuncture works on the gate-control theory of pain mechanism and by releasing a group of neurochemicals in the target region.

Essentially, when small muscle afferent nerves are stimulated, it activates three parts of the central nervous system to release neurochemicals called endorphins that block pain. Research also suggests that cortisol is released in the body which helps in controlling inflammation.

Patients suffering from osteoarthritis respond well to electro-acupuncture. In mild cases, a few sessions can work wonders in alleviating pain and controlling inflammation. For advanced arthritis, you will have to sit for multiple sessions with a licensed physiotherapist.

How to Get Acupuncture Therapy for Relieving Arthritic Knee Pain

The effectiveness of acupuncture therapy depends substantially on the amount of damage your nerves and muscles have sustained, and the frequency of treatment. At Southgate Physio, we use acupuncture to stimulate your body to heal faster naturally without depending on over-the-counter opioids.

Our experts are certified physiotherapists who will conduct a comprehensive Assessment to identify the underlying source of pain. Once we locate the cause, we work towards reducing the inflammation and controlling the pain by implementing a wide range of treatment options including acupuncture.

Depending on the case, acupuncture can also be combined with other forms of treatment, like manual physiotherapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Moreover, if you are looking to get a knee-replacement surgery, acupuncture can work as a pre-surgery rehabilitation for short-term pain relief.

At Southgate Physio, acupuncture is not simply a treatment of the symptoms – it is a way of healing your body naturally. To book an appointment for acupuncture physiotherapy, get in touch with us today!

Physiotherapy Services We Offer

Our clinic offers a wide range of treatments that are all recommended and tailored to everyone who comes and visits us. Our range of treatments complements the body and mind, helping to keep you pain and injury-free, delivering preventative measures to maintain your well-being and enhance your performance levels.

Our main aim is to restore your personal well-being so you can enjoy an active, healthy, and pain-free life. Click on any of the services to find out a little more about each treatment and understand if it might be right for you.

• Home Visit Physiotherapy
• Sports Injury Rehabilitation
• Musculoskeletal Injuries Treatment
• Pain Management
• Pilates
• Acupuncture
• Shockwave Therapy
• Theraflex
• Pre and Post Operative Rehabilitation
• Elderly Rehabilitation
• Sports Massage
• Online Video Consultation
• Sports Physiotherapy