Common Causes and Conditions of Knee Pain
1. Tendon & Overuse Injuries
- Patellar Tendinitis (“Jumper’s Knee”) – Pain below kneecap
- Iliotibial (IT) Band Syndrome – Outer knee pain in runners
- Pes Anserine Bursitis – Inner knee pain from overuse
2. Joint & Degenerative Conditions
- Osteoarthritis – Cartilage breakdown, stiffness after rest
- Rheumatoid Arthritis – Autoimmune joint inflammation
- Meniscus Tears – Clicking/locking during movement
3. Ligament & Structural Issues
- ACL/PCL Tears – Instability after twisting injuries
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome – Dull ache behind kneecap
- Baker’s Cyst – Fluid buildup causing back-of-knee swelling
4. Referred & Systemic Pain
- Sciatica Referral – From lumbar spine issues
- Gout/Pseudogout – Sudden, severe joint inflammation
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease – Growth plate pain in adolescents
Rehab Exercises at Home After and Between TCM Treatments
1. Mobility & Stretching Exercises
A. Quadriceps Stretch (Standing)
- Hold ankle, gently pull heel toward buttock
- Keep knees close together
- Hold: 30 sec/side
- Benefits: Relieves patellar tension
B. IT Band Foam Rolling
- Lie on side, roll from hip to knee on foam roller
- Duration: 1-2 minutes/side
- Benefits: Reduces lateral knee stress
C. Heel Slides (For Post-Surgery)
- Lie down, slowly slide heel toward buttocks
- Reps: 10-15x
- Benefits: Maintains range of motion
2. Strengthening Exercises
A. Straight Leg Raises
- Lie on back, lift leg straight (keep knee locked)
- Reps: 12-15x/side
- Benefits: Strengthens quads without joint load
B. Step-Ups (Low Height)
- Step up/down 6-inch platform, controlled motion
- Reps: 10x/side
- Benefits: Improves functional stability
Advanced Knee Rehabilitation Protocols
1. Post-Knee Replacement TCM Integration
Phase 1 (Days 1-14):
▸ TCM Focus: Reduce swelling, prevent blood stasis
- Acupuncture: SP-10 (Xuehai) + SP-6 (Sanyinjiao) with electro-stim at 2Hz
- Topical: San Huang San herbal paste (cooling)
- Movement: Ankle pumps + Qi Gong “Pushing Waves” in bed
Phase 2 (Weeks 3-6):
▸ TCM Focus: Strengthen tendons, nourish bones
- Moxa: Indirect moxa on ST-36 (Zusanli)
- Herbal Soup: Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang with added Gou Ji
- Exercise:
- Seated knee extensions (0°-30° only)
- Tai Chi “Golden Turtle Returns to Sea” (modified stance)
Phase 3 (Months 2-3+):
▸ TCM Focus: Restore Wei Qi defense
- Cupping: Light sliding cups along spleen meridian
- Medicated Wine: Huai Hua Jiu for nighttime massage
Critical Notes:
- Delay blood-moving herbs until 72 hours post-op
- Avoid direct moxa over metal implants
- Use jade roller instead of gua sha for swelling
2. Martial Arts Knee Conditioning
Shaolin Iron Knee Protocol
- Meridian Preparation:
- Pre-training acupressure on GB-34 + LIV-8
- Apply Dit Da Jow with deerhorn velvet
- Progressive Training: Stage Method TCM Support Foundation Horse stance (30°) × 5 mins Moxa on ST-36 Intermediate Sandbag walking (5kg) Herbal knee wraps Advanced Bamboo slip training Bone-setting massage
- Recovery Rituals:
- Post-training Zheng Gu Shui compress
- Moonlight meditation on BL-60 (Kunlun)
Contraindications:
- Skip if pulse shows Thin or Wiry quality
- Absolute avoidance during Wind-Cold invasions
3. TCM Herbal Cartilage Support
Internal Formulas:
- For Early Degeneration:
- Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang + Gui Lu Er Xian Jiao
- Dosage: 5g bid with warm water
- Post-Traumatic Recovery:
- Tao Hong Si Wu Tang + Zi Ran Tong (0.3g added)
- Senile Weakness:
- Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (modified with Xu Duan)
External Applications:
- Daytime: Zheng Gu Shui spray before activity
- Night: Eucommia plaster on KI-3
Dietary Therapy:
- Breakfast: Black sesame paste + walnuts
- Dinner: Oxtail stew with Dang Shen
Specialized Treatment Tables
Knee Osteoarthritis Progression Management
| Stage | TCM Diagnosis | Key Intervention | Exercise Modifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early | Kidney-Liver Yin Deficiency | Acupuncture: KI-3, LIV-3 | Tai Chi cloud hands |
| Mid | Phlegm-Damp Accumulation | Moxa: SP-9, ST-40 | Water aerobics |
| Late | Yang Deficiency with Blood Stasis | Fire cupping BL-17 | Chair yoga |
Martial Arts Injury Prevention Schedule
| Time | Activity | TCM Component |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 | Dawn training | Zi Wu time meridian activation |
| 12:00 | Midday rest | Moxa on CV-4 |
| 19:00 | Evening practice | Shen calming acupressure |
Emergency Pain Management Protocols
Acute Swelling (First 24 Hours):
- Herbal Ice Pack:
- Huang Bai + Pu Gong Ying decoction frozen in gloves
- Acupressure Sequence:
- SP-10 → BL-40 → LIV-3 (2 mins each)
Chronic Night Pain:
- Yang-supporting moxa before bed:
- CV-4 → GV-4 → ST-36 (3 cones each)
Integration with Modern Therapies
For Patients Receiving:
- PRP Injections: Delay moxa for 72 hours
- Hyaluronic Acid: Combine with Ji Xue Teng herbs
- Arthroscopy: Pre-op Shen calming protocol
Research-Backed Combinations:
- Electroacupuncture + glucosamine shows 37% better outcomes
- Cupping + physical therapy reduces pain by 42% vs PT alone