Acupuncture For Swollen Knee

Acupuncture can be a valuable integrative health approach in the treatment of a swollen knee. This condition often arises from inflammation due to injury, or osteoarthritis, but not limited to. Acupuncture works by targeting specific points to reduce inflammation, promote circulation, and alleviate pain, thereby supporting the healing process. So today we’ll explore the background and potential of acupuncture for swollen knee.

What is Knee Swelling?

The normal knee joint contains 2–3 mL of synovial fluid that lines its articulating surfaces.¹

When the joint cavity is filled with excess joint fluid it becomes a generalized swelling, which is usually in response to knee pathology (knee condition) such as trauma (such as a fracture), an infection, or inflammation (such as gout or osteoarthritis as mentioned earlier.)²

Acute and Chronic Knee Swelling

Acute Swelling

Acute swelling usually develops rapidly, within hours of an incident, and is commonly associated with:

• Trauma: This includes ligament tears, meniscal injuries, or fractures, often accompanied by pain, bruising, and limited mobility.
• Septic Arthritis: A bacterial infection causing severe swelling, redness, fever, and inability to move the joint due to intense pain. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention and prompt treatment.
• Gout: Episodes of acute swelling triggered by the deposition of urate crystals in the joint, frequently associated with dietary factors or dehydration.
• Hemarthrosis: Bleeding into the joint, frequently seen in ligament tears such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury​

Chronic or Acute-on-Chronic Swelling

Chronic swelling develops over weeks to months and may worsen acutely under specific conditions. Common causes include:

• Osteoarthritis: Characterized by gradual cartilage degeneration, often presenting with intermittent pain, stiffness, and swelling after activity.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune condition

Benefits of Acupuncture for Swollen Knee

• Reduces Inflammation: Acupuncture modulates the inflammatory response by promoting the release of anti-inflammatory mediators.
• Improves Circulation: Enhanced blood flow to the knee joint aids in reducing swelling and accelerating tissue repair.
• Relieves Pain: Stimulation of acupuncture points triggers the release of endorphins, providing natural pain relief.
• Promotes Lymphatic Drainage: By stimulating specific points, acupuncture can encourage lymphatic flow, reducing fluid accumulation around the knee.

Integrative Approach

In addition to acupuncture, complementary practices such as moxibustion, cupping, or Tui Na (acupresure) may be used to enhance results, or could be used as a stand alone treatment. For instance, if a patient has a fear of needles, then the treatments mentioned here could still provide some level of benefit to the individual. These therapies can warm the joint, further improve circulation, and reduce stiffness. Dietary adjustments, herbal medicine, or stretching routines (Yoga, Tai Chi) can also play a role in supporting knee health.

It’s essential to work with a licensed acupuncturist provide an individualized treatment to your specific needs and underlying condition.

Research on Acupuncture For Swollen Knee

Research is very limited specifically on acupuncture for knee swelling, as most research has looked at acupuncture for pain management. However acupuncture through systematic review has shown “statistically significant pain reduction in comparison with the control group.”³

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in (2023) in Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture combined with active exercise training in managing pain and improving function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. The study provided a comprehensive analysis of 11 high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving a total of 774 participants, aiming to determine if combined therapy is superior to acupuncture or exercise alone.

Key Findings

Combined Effectiveness:

• Participants receiving both acupuncture and exercise therapy showed better outcomes in pain reduction (VAS scores), improvement in knee joint function (WOMAC scores), and increased range of motion (ROM) compared to those treated with acupuncture or exercise alone.
• The combination therapy also outperformed some conventional medicine or exercise.

The authors emphasized that acupuncture and exercise therapy are effective treatments for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), particularly when combined.

The mechanism of action behind the use of acupuncture in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, including the inflammation and swelling, includes: “Acupuncture can scavenge free radicals, inhibit the expression of osteopontin (OPN), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and serum nitric oxidein peripheral blood and synovial fluid of joints, promote the repair of joint cartilage, relieve and improve local inflammatory symptoms of knee joint and play a role in the treatment.”⁴

Acupuncture’s benefits include reducing inflammation, promoting blood circulation, and improving cartilage repair, while exercise therapy strengthens muscles, restores joint mobility, and reduces pain. Together, they provide a holistic approach to managing KOA.

Authors also noted limitations of the study, including a lack of blinding in some trials and smaller sample sizes. More research into long term outcomes and larger population pool would be beneficial.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment of any health conditions.

1. Tan JB, Sim YXA, How CH, Loh SYJ. Generalised knee swelling in adults. Singapore Med J. 2022;63(4):187-191. doi:10.11622/smedj.2022054 ↩︎
2. Tan JB, Sim YXA, How CH, Loh SYJ. Generalised knee swelling in adults. Singapore Med J. 2022;63(4):187-191. doi:10.11622/smedj.2022054 ↩︎
3. Selfe TK, Taylor AG. Acupuncture and osteoarthritis of the knee: a review of randomized, controlled trials. Fam Community Health. 2008;31(3):247-254. doi:10.1097/01.FCH.0000324482.78577.0f ↩︎
4. Chen, J., Guo, H., Pan, J. et al. Efficacy of acupuncture combined with active exercise training in improving pain and function of knee osteoarthritis individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Orthop Surg Res 18, 921 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-023-04403-2 ↩︎

Carlo St Juste

Carlo St. Juste II, MAOM has a background in acupuncture with over 10 years of clinical experience, published author, and over 16 years in the Martial Arts. He has worked with various organizations to implement employee wellness programs and workshops including The City of West Covina, The City of Brea, Broadcom, University of Southern California (USC), American Suzuki, and Pomona College. He is dedicated to promoting integrative health and has seen the benefits of knowledge and implementation first hand.