Researchers studying the anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture, have found significant changes in biochemical markers associated with treatment for osteoarthritis of the knees. The Chinese clinical trial enrolled 60 patients who were assigned to eight weeks of either acupuncture or electro-acupuncture. By the end of the treatment period, pain and joint function had significantly improved in both groups. Both treatment modes were associated with significant reductions in serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines and cartilage degradation markers, plus significant increases in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-13.
(Effect of Electro-Acupuncture (EA) and Manual Acupuncture (MA) on Markers of Inflammation in Knee Osteoarthritis. Journal of Pain Research, 26 August 2020.)