Acupuncture Offers Short-term Osteoarthritis Relief

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Acupuncture can offer short-term pain relief and improved joint functioning for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, a new study finds.

To date, there is only limited scientific evidence that acupuncture actually works. But many osteoarthritis sufferers are turning to the ancient Chinese treatment as an alternative to pain medications, some of which have recently been linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Some of the most powerful of these drugs, such as Vioxx, have been pulled from the market because of their potential danger.

In this new study, researchers tested the effects of acupuncture on nearly 300 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, the joint most often affected by the disease.