Acupuncture and physiotherapy reduce pain and improve quality of life of people with knee arthritis

Science shows that acupuncture can be beneficial for some conditions including low back pain, but the jury is still out when it comes to osteoarthritis. That could be set to change. A new study shows that acupuncture relieved pain, improved function and bettered quality of life in people with knee osteoarthritis.

And so did physiotherapy, the researchers report in Pain Physician.  

A total of 100 people with knee osteoarthritis were split into groups. Over a six-week period, half the volunteers received 12 sessions of acupuncture for arthritis; the other half had physiotherapy for arthritis.

Both acupuncture and physiotherapy improved functional status, decreased pain and improved quality of life at the end of the treatment and 12 weeks later. And there were no negative side effects to either approach.

The group concludes that “acupuncture and physiotherapy… have similar effects with regard to pain, functional status, and quality of life,”.

Further information

To find someone qualified in both acupuncture and physiotherapy, contact the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists. Visit www.aacp.org.uk or tel 01733 390007.

Interested in acupuncture for arthritis? We’ve don’t plenty of research, read on!

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