Osteoarthritis is a common cause for chronic knee pain making it painful to do everyday tasks. In a randomized controlled trial, 357 patients who received acupuncture treatment had reduction in pain, improved physical function of the knee, and an increase in quality of life which suggests acupuncture can help improve osteoarthritis associated knee pain. After receiving acupuncture therapy, patients not only reported that they had an increased range of motion, but they also had an increased ability to participate in everyday activities without the pain and stiffness in the knees.
References:
Lin, X., Huang, K., Zhu, G., Huang, Z., Qin, A., & Fan, S. (2016). The Effects of Acupuncture on Chronic Knee Pain Due to Osteoarthritis: A Meta-Analysis. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume, 98(18), 1578–1585. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.15.00620
Liu, S. C., Qiao, X. F., Tang, Q. X., Li, X. G., Yang, J. H., Wang, T. Q., Xiao, Y. J., & Qiao, J. M. (2019). A retrospective study of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy to topical ibuprofen for chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis. Medicine, 98(17),. (n.d.).
Witt, C. M., Jena, S., Brinkhaus, B., Liecker, B., Wegscheider, K., & Willich, S. N. (2006). Acupuncture in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip: a randomized, controlled trial with an additional nonrandomized arm. Arthritis and rheumatism, 54(1. (n.d.).