Many middle-aged and elderly friends suffer from knee pain, and traditional Chinese massage has an auxiliary effect on many diseases. So, can knee pain be relieved through massage? Where should you massage for knee pain?
Can knee pain be relieved through massage?
Yes, knee pain can be relieved through massage.
Knee pain can be caused by knee injuries, fatigue, excessive body weight, incorrect walking posture, prolonged squatting, and exposure of the knee joint to cold. Acupressure massage can promote meridian flow, improve blood circulation, and enhance the flexibility of tendons and ligaments, thereby alleviating knee pain caused by these factors.
Where to massage for knee pain
Step 1: Massage the Yaoyan acupoint
Location: On the lower back, 4 horizontal fingers wide from the lower end of the 4th lumbar spinous process, one on each side.
Method: The person receiving the massage lies prone, and the masseur uses both thumbs to press the Yaoyan acupoints for 1 minute. Then, massage in a clockwise direction for 1 minute, followed by a counterclockwise direction for 1 minute. The ideal result is a feeling of soreness and swelling in the area. Massage both sides alternately.
Effect: This acupoint massage can effectively relieve lower back pain, lumbar muscle strain, cold and pain in the lower back, acute lumbar sprain, lumbar disc herniation, weakness and numbness in the lower limbs, and knee pain.
Step 2: Massage the Xuehai acupoint
Location: On the inner side of the thigh, about 3 horizontal fingers width above the knee bone.
Method: The masseur uses both thumbs to massage the Xuehai acupoint in a clockwise direction for about 1 minute, then massage in a counterclockwise direction for about 1 minute. The ideal result is a local feeling of soreness and swelling.
Effect: Massaging this acupoint can alleviate knee pain, thigh muscle soreness, anemia, dizziness, easy fatigue, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, urticaria, eczema, rough skin, and skin itching.
Step 3: Massage the Xiyan acupoint
Location: In the depression below both sides of the knee bone, the inner side is called the inner Xiyan, and the outer side is called the outer Xiyan.
Method: Place a thin pillow under the knee joint of the person receiving the massage, and the masseur uses the thumb and index finger to knead the Xiyan acupoints for 1 minute, aiming for a local feeling of soreness and swelling.
Effect: Massaging this acupoint is effective for knee swelling and pain, knee osteoarthritis, and leg pain.
Step 4: Massage the Sanyinjiao and Zusanli acupoints
Location: Sanyinjiao is located 4 horizontal fingers above the inner ankle. Zusanli is located 4 horizontal fingers below the outer Xiyan.
Method: Massage the Sanyinjiao and Zusanli acupoints, each for 1 minute, aiming for a feeling of soreness and swelling.
Effect: Stimulating these two acupoints can strengthen the lower limbs and relieve knee pain. They also have the function of nourishing the liver, spleen, and kidneys, and promoting overall health.
Step 5: Massage the Yinlingquan and Yanglingquan acupoints
Location: Yinlingquan is located on the inner side of the lower leg, in the depression behind the high bone below the knee. Yanglingquan is located below the knee at a slanting angle, in the depression in front of the high bone on the outer side of the lower leg.
Method: Massage the Yinlingquan and Yanglingquan acupoints, each for 1 minute, aiming for a feeling of soreness and swelling.
Effect: Stimulating these two acupoints can unblock the meridians in the lower limbs, improve weakness in the lower legs, and alleviate knee pain and other abnormal sensations.
Step 6: Massage the Dubi, Xiyan, and Weizhong acupoints
Location: When the knee is flexed, the Dubi acupoint is located on the lateral side of the patella and the patellar ligament, and the Xiyan acupoint is located on the medial side. The Weizhong acupoint is located at the midpoint of the popliteal crease, between the tendons of the biceps femoris and the semitendinosus.
Method: Massage the Dubi, Xiyan, and Weizhong acupoints, each for 1 minute, aiming for a feeling of soreness and swelling.
Effect: Stimulating these three acupoints can increase blood supply to the joints and promote the secretion of synovial fluid, preventing knee pain caused by friction.
Acupressure and tendon relaxation massage for knee pain
Method 1
The patient lies supine with the affected limb extended and externally rotated.
1. Rang method: Use the rang method to treat the affected area and its surroundings for 8 minutes.
2. Thumb kneading method: Use the thumb kneading method to treat the Xuehai, Yinlingquan, and Sanyinjiao acupoints, 2 minutes for each acupoint.
3. Palm root kneading method: Use the palm root kneading method to treat the affected area and its surroundings for about 6 minutes.
4. Rubbing method: Use the rubbing method to treat the affected area and its surroundings, with the degree of heat penetration as the criterion.
Method 2
The patient sits or lies supine.
1. Rang method: Use the rang method to treat the knee joint and the front of the thigh for 8 minutes.
2. Palm root kneading method: Use the palm root kneading method to treat the knee joint and the front of the thigh for 6 minutes.
3. Three-finger tapping method: Use the three-finger tapping method on the popliteal fossa for about 2 minutes.
4. Rubbing method: Use the rubbing method on the knee joint, with the degree of heat penetration as the criterion.
Where to perform gua sha for knee pain
Acupoints to target
Weizhong, Yanglingquan, Chengshan, Liangqiu, outer Xiyan, inner Xiyan, Zusanli, Lidi, Xie Xi, Yinlingquan.
Method
Use a direct gua sha technique.
Tools
Use a water buffalo horn gua sha board, and apply red flower oil as the medium.
Procedure
After evenly applying red flower oil around the joint, use the thumb to knead each acupoint until a local feeling of soreness and swelling is achieved. Then, use the gua sha board to scrape the area.
Use an oblique scraping technique for Weizhong, Zusanli, and Yinlingquan, a flat scraping technique for Chengshan and Liangqiu, and a horn scraping technique for Yanglingquan, outer Xiyan, inner Xiyan, Lidi, and Xie Xi. For the Weizhong acupoint, a small triangular needle can be used for pricking, releasing 3-5 drops of blood.
Technique
Use a tonifying technique.
Precautions
When performing gua sha treatment on the affected area, it should feel warm locally. After the procedure, advise the patient to engage in appropriate functional exercises.
Recommended home remedies for treating knee pain
Remedy 1
Mix equal parts of Guizhi tip, fresh ginger, and scallion root (only take the root, not the white part). Adjust the dosage based on the size of the affected area and the severity of the condition, with a ratio of 1 part Guizhi tip, 3 parts ginger, and 2 parts scallion root. Boil the mixture and use it to wash the affected knee area 1-2 times a day. Continue for several days until the pain is relieved.
Remedy 2
Snake meat soup: 250g of snake meat, 40g of pepper, a pinch of salt, and an appropriate amount of ginger. Stew the ingredients and consume the soup once a day for 3 consecutive days. Snake meat can promote dampness and improve meridian circulation, while pepper can warm the body and dispel coldness. Regular consumption of this remedy can have a certain effect on improving the flexibility of knee movements.
