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You certainly wouldn’t be the only one if your knees were sounding a bit more like an instrument rather than smooth, gliding joints. According to a study at the University of North Carolina, half of U.S. adults and nearly two-thirds of obese adults will develop knee problems, specifically osteoarthritis of the knee, by age 85.

It’s no wonder knee troubles are so common. The knee joint has quite a job supporting the body and providing movement. We use our knee joints to walk, lift, kneel, run, jog, jump, land, pivot and any number of crazy moves while dancing or playing sports. Let’s face it, we sort of abuse these very important joints, and the design of the knee is a bit unforgiving

We have terms for describing the various parts of our lower extremities (thigh, knee, calf etc.), but the actual knee joint consists of the thighbone, shinbone and kneecap. These bones are joined together by a series of tendons, ligaments and the coordinating muscles. Tendons connect muscle to bone and ligaments connect bone to bone. Cartilage layers cover the bone ends near the patella. These are meant to absorb shock and protect the knee.

The muscles on the front of the thigh (quadriceps) straighten the leg. The muscles on the back of the thigh (hamstrings) allow your leg to bend at the knee. The knee joint is only meant to bend one way as I’m sure you’ve learned quickly if you’ve ever twisted your knee or had a painful blow to the front of the knee. When the knee is pushed too far, the ligaments that are meant to limit this movement can be torn.

Painful inflammation heightens the problem and can affect other parts of the knee and its function. Sometimes, the cartilage is also torn adding to recovery time. Overuse of the knee, usually from jumping or running activities, can cause inflammation of the tendons (tendonitis) and muscles. Depending on the severity of the injury, the treatments can range from resting the knee, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy or surgery.

More commonly, osteoarthritis is the culprit behind knee problems as we age. The years of abuse coupled with degenerative processes cause the cartilage to wear, and we find ourselves with faulty shock absorbers. That snap, crackle, pop you hear is the end result along with painful inflammation. The inflammation continues to cause more problems in the knee joint as it affects the tendons, ligaments and muscles.

Whereas there has been quite a bit of success over the last few decades in improving knee surgeries for ligament or tendon repair, osteoarthritis is not as easily treated, surgically speaking. The age of the patient affects the success rate of any surgical intervention. All aspects of healing become a bit more difficult. However, there are still plenty of things you can do to improve the function of your knees and relieve pain.

If you are overweight or obese, losing weight will vastly improve the function of your knees. The study I spoke of at the beginning also indicated the risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee rises as BMI (body mass index) rises. It’s quite simple, really. If the knees have to support more weight than they were designed to carry and move about, they will wear out more quickly. No matter what your age, weight loss will improve the function of your knees.

Acupuncture is another remedy for osteoarthritis. The pain in osteoarthritis is caused by inflammation, so reducing inflammation can relieve the pain, discomfort and additional injury from inflammation. Acupuncture can reduce inflammation and has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine. The West is finally recognizing the benefits of this ancient treatment.

The Chinese believe that Qi (life force) flows through meridians (pathways) in the body. Qi vitalizes organs and promotes balance between Yin and Yang. When there are blockages along the meridians, Yin and Yang become imbalanced and organs and tissue do not receive energy. All of this is the basis for disease, inflammation and many conditions. An acupuncturist inserts needles (the sensation is tingly, energizing, soothing and not painful) at different points along the meridian and gently manipulates the needles to unblock the channels and restore energy and balance.

Western medicine does not recognize the above philosophy, per say, because it’s not something we can scientifically prove and conventional medicine in the West is based on scientific logic. However, the West is taking note of clinical trials that show improvement in patients who underwent acupuncture. Acupuncture fosters the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. It reduces inflammation. Serotonin (a calming hormone) release is increased as well. A study by the University of Maryland found improvement in patients who underwent acupuncture for osteoarthritis in their knees, whereas the control group and placebo group showed no improvement.

Help your knees keep up with your active life by exploring all of your options in treating osteoarthritis.

To Your Health!
Dr. Michael J. Kaye

Dr. Michael J. Kaye is a life coach and chiropractic physician with a sub-specialty in musculo-skeletal rehabilitation practicing in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. You may contact Dr. Kaye at http://drmichaelkaye.com

Tags: acupuncture, inflammation, knee problems, lower extremities, tendons ligaments

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