Acupuncture
About
Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine, and involves inserting fine needles into to specific acupuncture points around your knee and body. For painful conditions, sometimes electrical stimulation of these needles is used.
The philosophy of traditional Chinese acupuncture is that the energy circulating in your body follows ‘meridians’. When these meridians are blocked, illness and disease result. Successful acupuncture occurs when the correct combination of acupuncture points are stimulated by inserting the needles into them.
For relief from pain caused by knee OA, acupuncture theory states that you should feel numbness and/or tingling around your knee when the needles are inserted.
Acupuncture treatment takes about an hour, is relatively inexpensive (similar to an hour’s massage) and is not usually painful.
The Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association can help you find an accredited practitioner at www.acupuncture.org.au or 1300 725 334.
Be Aware
The risks of acupuncture are low if you have a competent, certified acupuncture practitioner. Possible side effects and complications include:
- Soreness. After acupuncture, you might have soreness, minor bleeding or bruising at the needle sites.
- Organ injury. If the needles are pushed in too deeply, they could puncture an internal organ. This is an extremely rare complication in the hands of an experienced practitioner.
- Infections. Licensed acupuncturists are required to use sterile, disposable needles. A reused needle could expose you to diseases, such as hepatitis.
Not everyone is a good candidate for acupuncture. Conditions that may increase your risk of complications include:
- Bleeding disorders. Your chances of bleeding or bruising from the needles increase if you have a bleeding disorder or if you’re taking blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin). It is important to let your acupuncturist know.
- Having a pacemaker. Acupuncture that involves applying mild electrical pulses to the needles can interfere with a pacemaker’s operation