Knee and Elbow Pain

Knee and elbow pain are typically caused by arthritis (see above) or injury. The knee has many ligaments and tendons that are easily damaged with injury or overuse. Tearing of the meniscus also causes pain and instability in the knee.

Bursitis, a swelling of the bursa (slippery sacks that allow different tissues such as muscle, tendon, and skin, slide over bony surfaces without catching) can occur in the knee, elbow, hip or shoulder. This affects the range of motion in the joints and causes pain. Acupuncture addresses the pain of bursitis by decreasing inflammation and promoting proper blood flow to the joint. Nutritional intervention can also be helpful in this situation

Tendonitis is also common in the knee and elbow, a condition where the tendons, (structures that connect muscle to bone) become inflamed, and makes movement of the joint painful.

Controlled research has shown that acupuncture is a long-term, beneficial therapy for both medial and lateral epicondylitis, resulting in improved function, reduced pain, and improved range of motion.