Dry Needling for Natural Relief from Joint Aches and Stiffness due to Bone-on-Bone Knees and Arthritis

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to naturally treating knee pain is the fact that trying to exercise and load the knee with the right amount of weight to improve strength and actually protect the knee is often too painful to achieve. 

This leads many to either give up on strength training or give up on things they love like running, tennis, or pickleball and just focus on “non-impact” ways of exercising. Unfortunately, non-impact and low impact often leads to weaker muscles and bones(osteoporosis) and only accelerates the inability of the muscles around the knee to support it. 

New research just released in the journal Physiotherapy Theory and Practice showed that when we do dry needling to the knee joint itself, we get better pain relief than with stretches, strengthening, and even NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin. 

So, what exactly did they do in this study?

In this study, patients received dry needling to their knee twice per week for 6 weeks targeting 23 different spots on the knee. After that, they were divided into 3 groups that got booster dry needling every 4 weeks, 8 weeks, or no further treatment. What they found was that all groups had significant improvement in their knee pain but that the group that got a “booster” treatment every 4 weeks did the best for reduced pain, improved stiffness, less pain related disability, and reduced need for medications to control pain. 

Patients in this trial went from an average of 

⇨ 6/10 on the pain scale to a 2.6/10 within 6 weeks

While the patients who got a 4 week “booster” continued to reduce overall pain to a

⇨ 1.3/10 at 30 weeks.

 In addition they cut their knee disability due to pain scores from a 

⇨ 46/96 down to a 12/96(where a lower score equals less disability due to pain. 

So, what exactly is Dry Needling? 

Dry Needling therapy refers to the insertion of thin monofilament(acupuncture) needles for therapeutic purposes without the use of injectate(like steroids or numbing agents) . In this trial, the edge of the bone of the knee joint(the periosteum) was the target of the acupuncture needles. 

How does dry needling work for knee arthritis? 

It is thought to: 

• Suppress inflammation in the joint, cartilage, and bone just underneath the cartilage

• Improve microcirculation(blood flow) to cartilage increasing oxygen to facilitate healing(one trial found this after a later MRI found reduced evidence of arthritis on MRI suggesting that dry needling helped with cartilage repair). 

• Release local pain inhibiting chemicals already in your cells available to be released

• Activate the part of your nervous system that inhibits(reduces) pain

How is Dry Needling different from Acupuncture?

The simple answer is that we use the same tools but in a different way. Unlike traditional Chinese acupuncture, Western medical acupuncture or dry needling neither attempts to move qi along meridians, nor does it rely on diagnoses from Oriental medicine. 

Is it Safe

Yes, dry needling is used everyday and does not have the nasty side effects of opioids, doesn't weaken the joints like steroid shots, and often doesn't need to be done for years on end like injections. Often the only things somebody notices is some soreness from the muscles that were treated. We also supercharge out treatments by using electrical stimulation to your sore spots so you can feel improvement, often immediately.

Can I just have you do dry needling?

Dry needling works best when we do it with simple stretches and foundation fixing strength exercises that you can do with minimal equipment at home. At Body Mechanix, we teach you how to keep the healing going while you are in between treatments and is part of a holistic plan of care to treat the whole you.

How do I know if it is right for me?

Find out if this is the right treatment option for you for absolutely free by scheduling a no-cost dry needling consultation with one of our dry needling certified Doctors of physiotherapy. These are in limited supply and are on a first come first served basis.

Do I need a prescription?

No, in Florida you do not need a prescription to start.

Wondering if Dry Needling might be the right answer for your arthritis pain? Speak with one of our Doctors of Physiotherapy and Dry Needling Specialists from the comfort of your home. Learn More and Book your call here

Need help now? Come by and talk with one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy at no charge. We offer FREE consultations, which give you the opportunity to come in and meet us and see for yourself how we can help you.

Here are just a few of the things you will learn in one of our free consultation:

• What is the underlying cause of your pain? (hopefully nothing too serious!)

• Roughly, how long will it take to fix the problem?

• What to do to help – which doesn’t include painkillers, resting or surgery etc.

• What other, natural, drug free methods are there to speed up recovery alongside treatment?

Our consultations are great for anyone that may be “unsure” if physio is right for them, and they give you the opportunity to ask questions and see for yourself if we can help you.

If you’d like one of our limited free consultation sessions, please click here to schedule your free consultation or CALL us on 850-765-2779 to make a no-obligation enquiry.

About the Author

Dr. Brandon is the owner and a Physio at Body Mechanix Physiotherapy and Fitness. Four of his favorite people call him daddy while he's been married to his other favorite person for 23 years. He enjoys teaching martial arts and is a Mestrando in Capoeira while in the mornings, he can be found working out with the guys in F3 around town.  He's the author of 4 pain relief guides for sciatica, low back, shoulder, and knees and the lead contributor to the Active Tallahassee Blog.