Knee Pain: How TCM Can Help

18 Mar 2025

By: Yi TCM Admin

Understanding Knee Pain

Knee pain is a common symptom where you feel pain and discomfort in or around the knee joint. The knee joint is a vital part of your body, allowing you to move and maintain a stable posture. As your knee pain worsens, performing your daily activities can become challenging. Your knee pain can also come and go, which could complicate your well-being if you leave it untreated.

Types of Knee Pain

Knee pain is divided into three types based on their primary cause.

Injuries: The most common cause of knee pain is from a fall, which can lead to other complications if you have a bad fall. In a worst-case scenario, you could also deal with a torn ligament or cartilage, adding to the pain and discomfort you are experiencing.
Overuse: Repetitive motions and activities can gradually cause wear and tear on your knee joint. Over time, that can place plenty of stress and strain on your knee, making it more susceptible to severe knee pain symptoms.
Arthritis: Different forms of arthritis can affect the knee. Osteoarthritis is associated with degeneration of the joint cartilage, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that can affect the knees as well as other joints.

Symptoms of Knee Pain

Besides dull or sharp pain that happens from time to time, other common symptoms of knee pain may include:

Weakness in the knee, making it difficult to stand or move the knee.
Inability to use the knee to support your weight.
Popping noises when you move the knee.
Swelling around the knee.
Stiffness and reduced range of motion in your knee.

TCM Treatment Methods for Knee Pain

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), knee pain stems from an imbalance in Qi (our vital energy) and blood flow within the body. TCM holds a holistic view of healthcare, where an illness results from internal disharmony. These imbalances are interconnected, illustrated as Yin and Yang, and a deficiency in one or the other can adversely impact your health. Treating these imbalances ensures the body can correct itself and recover.

One of the most common reasons for knee pain from the viewpoint of TCM is external pathogens, such as wind and dampness, that can block channels and slow blood and Qi circulation in the body. These can quickly enter our bodies due to environmental or even lifestyle factors we take for granted, such as sitting in an air-conditioned room for hours. The cold can contract the muscles and tendons around the knee joint, causing more pain in the knee.

Thankfully, TCM is an excellent complementary therapy that can support your well-being. Your TCM practitioner may recommend these treatments to help treat your condition.

Acupuncture

This technique involves gently inserting thin, sterilised needles at specific acupuncture points (acupoints) to undo Qi and blood flow blockages in your body. Acupuncture will target the acupoints around the knee corresponding to particular meridians related to your knee’s condition. The procedure aims to activate your internal healing mechanisms and promote a gradual recovery from the imbalances impairing your knee’s health. Acupuncture has also shown positive results in treating knee arthritis, with several studies noting its efficacy in slowing down degradation.

The effects of acupuncture on pain are still being studied, with several proposed mechanisms involving the nervous system and pain signalling. Read more about how acupuncture works in pain management.

Cupping

This therapy places suction cups on your leg to pull your skin and underlying tissues into the cup. It helps with circulation and relieves pain and muscle tension while restoring your range of motion in the knee as your blood and Qi circulation return to normal. Your TCM practitioner will prioritise key areas around your knee to help improve your healing process.

Tuina Massage

Tuina shares similar principles to acupuncture by targeting specific acupoints. However, instead of using needles, tuina relies on applying gentle pressure with fingers to stimulate these points. Tuina massage is often combined with other TCM techniques to improve your knee’s recovery gradually. The practitioner will alternate between gentle and firm pressure to help stimulate the muscles and tissue around your knees while ensuring they do not exacerbate your condition.

Chinese Herbal Remedies

A specially brewed herbal medication can help promote better health and alleviate lower back pain. A mixture of herbs will improve Qi and blood flow within the body, nourish your organs, dispel all harmful deficiencies, and provide pain relief. Some herbs you may typically be prescribed include:

Eucommia (Du Zhoeng): Eucommia is a traditional herb rich in antioxidants and various naturally occurring chemicals that are good for your well-being. It is added to an herbal recipe to help support your recovery and strengthen your knee joint.
Astragalus (Huang Qi): This herb possesses many valuable qualities, including immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate knee pain, especially if caused by cold or wind pathogens.
Dang Gui: Derived from angelica root, Dang Gui helps promote smoother and tonified blood flow, prevent blood stagnation, and alleviate pain.
Ginseng (Ren Shen): This beneficial herb is also packed with antioxidants and other nutrients and is ideal for tonifying the body and undoing Qi deficiencies.
Chinese wolfberry (Gou Qi Zi): If your knee pain is due to liver and kidney deficiency, this herb is a good addition to undo these problems. It is also helpful for treating Yin deficiencies.

Get Comprehensive TCM Care For Your General Health

At Yi TCM, we prioritise your well-being above all else. We provide holistic health care through Eastern and Western medical knowledge, in addition to fertility care. Contact us today for a detailed consultation to treat knee pain and address other complications. Our highly qualified practitioners will provide suitable treatments and herbal remedies for your well-being.

Our TCM Physicians for Knee Pain Management

Senior Physician
Frederick Koh 许医师

Email contact: frederick@yitcm.com.sg

Bachelor of Science (First Class Hons) in Biomedical Science (Nanyang Technological University)
Bachelor of TCM (Beijing University of Chinese Medicine)
Registered with TCM Practitioner’s Board, Singapore
Certified Neurokinetic Therapy Practitioner

TCM Physician
Rou Yi 丁医师

General Wellness | Pediatrics | Women’s Health | Fertility | Pain Management

Email contact: tengry@yitcm.com.sg

Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biomedical Science (Nanyang Technological University)
Bachelor of TCM (Beijing University of Chinese Medicine)
Registered with TCM Practitioner’s Board, Singapore

References:

Korostyshevskiy, V. (2020). Possible Improvements of Acupuncture for Knee-Pain Treatment Outcomes Through Local Point Palpation. Medical Acupuncture, 32(5), 320–324. https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2020.1429

Starkey, J. (n.d.). Painful Arthritis in Your Knee? Acupuncture May Bring Relief. Retrieved 22nd February 2025 from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/knee-arthritis-got-you-down-acupuncture-can-bring-relief

Wang, M., Liu, L., Zhang, C. S., Liao, Z., Jing, X., Fishers, M., Zhao, L., Xu, X., & Li, B. (2020). Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis. Journal of Pain Research, 13, 1421–1429. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S247827