Efficacy of Acupuncture Point LR (Liver) - 7 on Pain Management in Chronic Osteoarthritis of Knees

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of acupuncture point LR - 7 on pain management in chronic osteoarthritis of knees. BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in both developed and developing countries. It is a chronic progressive musculoskeletal disorder characterized by gradual loss of cartilage in joints which results in bones rubbing together and creating stiffness, pain and impaired movement. The disease is associated with modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, genetic predisposition, bone density, occupational injury, trauma and gender. OA causes inflammation in the affected joints which leads to intense pain and decreased range of movement causes disability and affects quality of life. This study was planned to study the effectiveness of acupuncture in chronic osteoarthritis of knees. DESIGN AND METHOD: An experimental study performed among 40 patients with Osteoarthritis age ranging between 40-65years from the patients of Govt. Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College & Hospital, Arumbakkam. They were selected after satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selected subjects were treated with the sterile acupuncture needle will be inserted with penetration needling along the skin for duration of 20minutes (6days/week), for 2weeks. The subjects were assessed at baseline and post intervention by using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire to access pain and range of Motion is measured with Goniometer. RESULTS: The Study group revealed significant improvements in WOMAC Scale of Pain index, Range of Motion, Stiffness and physical function. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: The present study showed that 2 weeks of treatment for people with knee pain shows significant reduction in pain, stiffness of muscles and tendons of the knee joint reduced. So this is a very safe and effective method of treatment as a holistic approach