Knee Pain: Acupressure Points & Self-Care

Knee pain is a common symptom in people of all ages. It may come on suddenly or start as mild discomfort that slowly gets worse. Overuse can trigger it, as can arthritis, infection, bursitis, tendinitis, sprains and strains, and torn ligaments or cartilage.

Traditional use: in TCM, points such as ST-35, GB-34 and SP-9 are traditionally used for knee pain and stiffness.

Recognizing Symptoms

Physical Symptoms

  • Pain in or around the knee

Primary Points for Knee Pain

Select a point to learn more.

Additional Support Points

Select a point to learn more.

Self-Care Acupressure Routines

Knee Routine (5-10 minutes per knee)

  1. Sit with knee supported and leg relaxed (use pillow if needed)
  2. Gently massage ST-35 in circular motions
  3. Apply steady pressure to GB-34 for 1 minute
  4. Press SP-9
  5. For back-of-knee pain: carefully massage BL-40
  6. For chronic knee issues: add Xiyan points (EXT-39)

Everyday Considerations

Home care

  • Rest: Rest and avoid activities that cause pain; avoid putting weight on the knee
  • Ice and raise: Ice the knee and keep it raised
  • Support: An elastic bandage can help

When to Seek Medical Care

Contact a health care provider if

  • You cannot bear weight on your knee
  • Your knee is deformed or misshapen
  • You still have pain after 3 days of home treatment