Acupuncture VS Runner’s Knee

By Eric Wei Wang, DAOM L.Ac, Eastern Medical Center of Pleasanton

Acupuncture treatment for runner’s knee is a great drug-free option, improves circulation and releases tight muscles. Acupuncture needles are one of the only tools that can access the area between the patella and the femur to improve circulation to this area, which doesn't have much blood flow. Chinese medicine also utilizes herbs internally and externally to relieve pain and improve circulation to the area.

Our treatments consist of us performing a physical test to identify which ligament(s) are affected, which muscles are weak, and what areas are inflamed so that we can improve blood flow and directly reduce inflammation.

Research proves acupuncture is as effective as prescription pain killers for knee pain.

For example, one blind study analyzed the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating patellofemoral pain syndrome: (75) patients were randomly selected to receive acupuncture treatments and (75) did not receive acupuncture treatments. Individualized acupuncture treatments were administered twice/week for (4) weeks, and patients were followed for (1) year following the treatments, evaluating pain progress. After (1) year, the acupuncture group reported less pain overall than the group that did not receive acupuncture.

Runner’s Knee:

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is common among runners. The pain can be sharp and sudden, or dull and chronic, and it may disappear while you’re running, only to return again afterward.

Symptoms of Runner’s Knee: Pain in the front of the knee or the sides of the kneecap. Sometimes you just feel sore under the kneecap.

Knee crepitus: This symptom commonly occurs after periods of extended rest, such as when getting out of bed in the morning, may lessen durning use.

Knee swelling: Though not unique to runner’s knee, swelling of the front of the knee may occur and increase in soreness. Knee swelling is also known as “water on the knee.”

Stiffness after rest: Symptoms occur during extended periods of having the knee bent. Such as riding in a car, or sitting at a desk.

EMC of Pleasanton

Teresa Shen, L.A.c: CEO and Master Of Chinese Medicine, an acupuncturist of four generations of Chinese Medical practitioners. An expert in pain and stress management: stiff necks, back pain, shoulder, wrist and joint pains, migraines, addictions to drugs, infertility, and cosmetic acupuncture.

Eric Wei Wang, DAOM L.Ac, Eastern Medical Center of Pleasanton: Eric specializes in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with a focus on orthopedics trauma and sport medicine.

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