Knee Osteoarthritis: TCM Acupuncture Points & Herbal Relief Guide

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Knee Osteoarthritis: TCM Acupuncture Points & Herbal Relief Guide

Updated: June 22, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Knee

Overview

Knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting approximately 10% of men and 13% of women over 60. It’s characterized by the progressive breakdown of articular cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced function. Risk factors include age, obesity, previous injury, and genetics.

The good news: TCM offers effective, non-pharmacological approaches that can reduce pain, improve function, and potentially slow disease progression.

What’s Actually Happening?

From a Western perspective:

Knee osteoarthritis involves:

  • Cartilage degradation — breakdown of the protective cartilage

  • Subchondral sclerosis — bone becomes denser beneath the damaged cartilage

  • Synovial inflammation — the joint lining becomes inflamed

  • Osteophyte formation — bone spurs form as the body attempts to stabilize the joint

From a TCM perspective:

Knee arthritis is primarily due to:

  • Kidney-Liver Deficiency — the root cause (degeneration of bones and tendons)

  • Wind-Cold-Damp Bi — external cold and damp invade the weakened joint

  • Blood Stasis — chronic inflammation creates stagnation

TCM Patterns

| TCM Pattern | Key Features | Mechanism | Treatment Principle |

| :— | :— | :— | :— |

| Kidney-Liver Deficiency | Chronic knee pain; worse with overwork; also low back weakness; age-related | Kidney-Liver fails to nourish the joint | Tonify Kidney-Liver, strengthen tendons and bones |

| Wind-Cold-Damp Bi | Stiff, heavy knee; worse in cold/rainy weather; better with warmth | External cold-damp invades the joint | Dispel cold-damp, warm meridians |

| Blood Stasis | Sharp, fixed pain; history of injury; worse at night | Chronic inflammation creates stasis | Invigorate blood, resolve stasis |

Acupuncture Points for Knee Osteoarthritis

| Point | Location | Mechanism |

| :— | :— | :— |

| EX-LE4 Xiyan | In the two hollows beside the kneecap | Local points that reduce pain and swelling |

| GB34 Yanglingquan | In the depression just below the head of the fibula | The “master point” for tendons; reduces knee stiffness |

| ST36 Zusanli | 3 cun below the patella, one finger-width lateral to the tibial crest | Strengthens the legs; tonifies Qi and blood |

Self-care move: Press the hollows beside your kneecap gently while doing slow knee extensions. This promotes synovial fluid circulation in the joint.

The Herbal Side: Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang

Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is the most widely prescribed formula for knee osteoarthritis.

Key ingredients:

| Herb | Action |

| :— | :— |

| Du Huo | Disperses Wind-Damp-Cold |

| Sang Ji Sheng | Tonifies Liver-Kidney; strengthens bones |

| Niu Xi | Strengthens the knee |

| Xu Duan | Heals injured tendons and bones |

| Du Zhong | Strengthens the lower back and knees |

| Dang Gui | Nourishes blood |

| Chuan Xiong | Invigorates blood |

Modern research: A 2018 meta-analysis found that Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang combined with acupuncture significantly reduced VAS pain scores and improved WOMAC function scores compared to standard care.

Dosage: Typically 5-9g as decoction twice daily, or 4-6g as granules.

Simple Self-Care That Works

1. Quadriceps Strengthening

  • Straight leg raise: Lie on your back, tighten quadriceps, lift leg 6-12 inches, hold 5 seconds, slowly lower. Do 10 reps, 3 sets, daily.

2. Low-Impact Exercise

Swimming, stationary cycling, and Tai Chi are excellent for knee arthritis. Avoid high-impact activities.

3. Weight Management

Reducing weight reduces knee stress. Every pound lost reduces knee load by 4 pounds.

4. Heat and Ice

  • Heat: Before exercise (15 minutes)

  • Ice: After exercise or during flare-ups (15-20 minutes)

5. Supportive Footwear

Wear shoes with good shock absorption. Consider knee braces for additional support during activity.

6. Dietary Support

  • Increase: Foods rich in vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory spices (turmeric, ginger)

  • Reduce: Processed foods, sugar, and saturated fats

When to See a Professional

Seek medical evaluation if:

  • Pain persists despite self-care

  • You have significant functional limitation

  • Pain is accompanied by severe swelling or deformity

  • You have difficulty walking or climbing stairs

References

  1. Manheimer, E., et al. (2018). Acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis. BMJ, 361, k1616.

  2. Vickers, A. J., et al. (2012). Acupuncture for chronic pain. Archives of Internal Medicine, 172(19), 1444-1453.

  3. Berman, B. M., et al. (2001). Acupuncture for knee pain. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 44(9), 2088-2096.

  4. Manyanga, T., et al. (2014). TCM for knee osteoarthritis. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 14, 378.

  5. WHO. (2023). Osteoarthritis fact sheet. World Health Organization.

Explore More

  • Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for knee pain relief.

  • Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM arthritis health.