KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS AND THE ELDERLY

Blame this kind of joint pain on cartilage or a lack thereof. As the connected tissue wears away the subsequent bone-on-bone contact can trigger pain ranging from mild to severe. It is more common among obese people (as excess weight increases pressure on joints) and the elderly (because cartilage deteriorates with age), but it can also develop from an injury like a torn Meniscus or Anterior Cruciate Ligament. Cortisone injections are one option but overdoing the shots may worsen joint damage which is why many GPs limit the number rendered.

An alternative treatment is Acupuncture. This needling technique has been used to treat pain for centuries and evidence suggests it can be particularly effective in treating knee osteoarthritis. Research believes the needles may trigger nerves to signal the brain to release endorphins, a naturally occurring phenonomen that dulls pain.