Reduction in Knee Pain Symptoms in Athletes Using an Acupuncture Protocol

Abstract

Pain in the lower limbs is common in athletes and a limiting factor in performance. Acupuncture has shown positive effects as an analgesic treatment and may potentially be used for pain reduction in runners. This study aimed to analyze the parameters associated with knee pain by correlating strength parameters of the musculature assessed in runners treated with acupuncture. A descriptive longitudinal study was conducted on 34 runners of both sexes aged 20 to 52 years, who presented with knee-related pain from January to June, 2015. Two pain questionnaires and a maximal strength test with electromyographic evaluation of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and medialis muscles were used, and patients were monitored during five follow-up visits after an acupuncture protocol. All participants reported experiencing a decrease in knee pain after treatment. The affected limbs showed an increase in average strength by 34% and 25% compared to the contralateral limb. An increase in the number of motor units recruited for the three muscles was observed in both limbs. In conclusion, the proposed acupuncture protocol was effective in reducing pain symptoms in the knee region of athletes, thus influencing their gain in strength and muscle balance. Level of Evidence IV, Case series.

Possible Improvements of Acupuncture for Knee-Pain Treatment Outcomes Through Local Point Palpation

“…For example, in 1 study conducted on athletes, the researchers stated that the acupuncture treatment protocol that they used was ''based on pressure points of systemic acupuncture with evidence supporting a decrease in pain symptomatology in the knee region.'' 6 The selected points were: (1) ST 35 (Dubi); (2) EX-LE 4 (Neixiyan); and (3) the cranial point contralateral to the affected limb. Curiously, all participants in this research reported reductions in knee pain after treatment, and the affected limbs had improvements in average strength by 34% and 25%, respectively, compared to the contralateral limbs.…”

“…Curiously, all participants in this research reported reductions in knee pain after treatment, and the affected limbs had improvements in average strength by 34% and 25%, respectively, compared to the contralateral limbs. 6 This is a high success rate, which might have been due to the researchers' monitoring their point selections via palpation. Palpation was used, which is an integral component of the Four Examinations, in a specific way-the researchers confirmed that the points that they chose were sensitive on each subject before beginning the treatments.…”

The evaluation of electroacupuncture in the management of motion sickness syndrome in healthy male adults, in a double blinded study.

“…Also, Siqueira et al, evaluating 34 runner athletes with knee pain reported that after a 5-week course of acupuncture treatment the treated limb acquired 47% strength, while the non-treated knee gained only 6%. The above outcomes, which were also documented with electromyography, resulted in a total reduction of the knee pain almost 50% (60).…”