Dry Needling: Safe and Natural Option for Knee Arthritis and bone on bone knees

New research just released in the journal Physiotherapy Theory and Practice showed dry needling (acupuncture needles to areas of the joint and muscle) to the knee along with electrical stimulation to the needles, we get better pain relief than with stretches, strengthening, and even NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin. 

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

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

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

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. 

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 22 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.