Benefits of acupuncture in knee osteoarthritis and low back pain

An integrative review study

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21727/rpu.v16i1.4870

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, and tendinopathies/soft tissue injuries of the shoulder joint are the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions in primary care and rehabilitation services. Acupuncture is an alternative therapy that is part of Integrative and Complementary Practices aimed at improving the individual's pain and functional capacity. Objective: To identify the benefits of using acupuncture as a treatment for low back pain and knee osteoarthritis in promoting an improvement in the quality of life of adults and the elderly. Materials & Methods: An integrative review study conducted in the Virtual Health Library, Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science, considering national and international research, with a time frame from 2019 to 2024 and full text in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Results: Among all the studies found, 23 were selected to compose the review. After the thematic analysis, two categories emerged: 1) Benefits of Acupuncture in Knee Osteoarthritis; and 2) Benefits of Acupuncture in Low Back Pain, in both cases positive results were demonstrated for analgesia and improvement of functional capacity. Final Considerations: This review found good evidence that acupuncture, applied as a single treatment or in combination, is effective in controlling pain related to knee osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain, with improvement in patients' functional capacity, through physical and emotional benefits.

Keywords: Adult and elderly, Acupuncture, Pain, Functional Health, Health Promotion.

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Author Biographies

Fabíola Marchon de Oliveira, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF)/PACCS

Discente do Mestrado Acadêmico em Ciências do Cuidado em Saúde, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brasil.

Patrícia Veras Neves de Oliveira, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF)/PACCS

Enfermeira do Hospital Clementino Fraga Filho da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Mestre pelo Programa Acadêmico em Ciências do Cuidado em Saúde da Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brasil.

Vanessa Maia Rangel, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF)

Médica e Acupunturista. Doutora em Saúde Coletiva. Professora Adjunta do Departamento de Saúde e Sociedade do Instituto de Saúde Coletiva da Universidade Federal Fluminense. Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

Pâmella Dourila Nogueira-Souza, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF)

Acadêmica da Escola de Enfermagem Aurora de Afonso Costa da Universidade Federal Fluminense. Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

Elaine Antunes Cortez, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF)

Doutora em Enfermagem. Professora Associada III da Escola de Enfermagem Aurora de Afonso Costa da Universidade Federal Fluminense. Niterói, RJ, Brasil.

Geilsa Soraia Cavalcanti Valente, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF)

Doutora em Enfermagem. Professora Associada IV do Departamento de Fundamentos de Enfermagem Universidade Federal Fluminense – UFF. Niterói, RJ, Brasil.

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Published

2025-04-30

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025): Revista Pró-UniverSUS V 16 N 1

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Fabíola Marchon de Oliveira, Patrícia Veras Neves de Oliveira, Vanessa Maia Rangel, Pâmella Dourila Nogueira-Souza, Elaine Antunes Cortez, Geilsa Soraia Cavalcanti Valente

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