Researchers have studied the effects of acupuncture for knee pain, specifically patellofemoral pain syndrome (chronic pain around and behind the kneecap). A total of 75 patients were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or no treatment. The acupuncture group received eight treatments over four weeks.
Over a one year study and follow-up period, knee pain and function scores improved by 17.2 points in the acupuncture group, compared to only 5.6 points in the control group. The researchers concluded that acupuncture for knee pain gave a clear and long-lasting improvement in pain and function.
(Acupuncture Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, December 1999.)