Common Causes of Knee Degeneration
From the perspective of TCM, knee pain, swelling, stiffness, and weakness are often linked to the following factors:Knee Injuries
Injuries such as sprains or contusions can inflame the fascia or cause partial dislocation of the knee joint, resulting in swelling and pain. Fluid buildup may narrow the joint space, restrict movement, and make squatting difficult. A clicking or grinding sensation may also occur.Impaired Digestive Function
In clinical practice, many patients present with knee pain, limb weakness, and difficulty walking. However, pulse diagnosis often reveals that poor digestion is the underlying issue. These patients may also experience loss of appetite, bloating, and chronic fatigue.Just as a healthy person would feel weak and unsteady after several days without food, those with poor digestion eat less and absorb fewer nutrients, leading to low energy and weakened muscles, bones, and joints. By improving digestive function, circulation increases, and knee pain may naturally subside.
Kidney Deficiency
According to TCM, kidney health is closely connected to bone strength and fluid balance. Weakened kidney function may result in knee pain, fatigue, swelling, frequent urination, blurred vision, excessive tearing, and memory decline.Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) is a commonly used formula, often combined with cibotium, milkwort, acanthopanax, and taxillus to ease symptoms.
Poor Blood Circulation
Poor blood circulation can restrict joint mobility, leading to symptoms such as migratory joint pain, cold or aching joints, and a heavy sensation.
Traditional Remedies for Knee Support
Guilu Erxian Jiao
A traditional tonic made from deer antler, tortoise plastron, goji berries, and ginseng.Pumpkin Walnut Soup
A nourishing soup made with pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and soy milk.Ingredients:
- 1 small pumpkin (about 2-3 pounds), peeled and cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup walnuts (roasted)
- 2 cups soy milk
- Steam pumpkin and pumpkin seeds together in an electric cooker until soft.
- Transfer to a blender, add roasted walnuts and soy milk, and blend until smooth.
- Once the mixture reaches a fine consistency with no large pieces, it is ready to serve—no straining or further cooking needed.
Walnuts, known for their kidney-nourishing properties, are also considered an antiaging superfood. They are rich in vitamins B and E, which help prevent joint degeneration, boost blood circulation to the brain, enhance memory, and slow aging.
Foods That Benefit Knee Health
At one point, my knees felt unusually stiff. To nourish qi and blood while strengthening my muscles and bones, I prepared an herbal chicken stew using codonopsis, astragalus, angelica, dipsacus, eucommia, fresh ginger, red dates, and black dates. I was surprised by how effective it was—my joints felt noticeably more flexible, and I could run without discomfort.Fish gelatin is another beneficial food, rich in collagen—a key component for joint protection. Collagen helps bind connective tissues in the body and maintain cartilage integrity. The proteins in fish gelatin break down easily, making them highly digestible. To neutralize its fishy taste, cook it with astragalus, red dates, goji berries, and lily bulbs.
Pork skin and chicken feet are also high in collagen, which may aid cartilage repair. However, overconsumption can raise blood lipid levels.
For plant-based sources of collagen, coral grass also known as “sea bird’s nest” and snow fungus are good options. Snow fungus is especially rich in polysaccharides that help support joint health by retaining moisture in connective tissues and may slow cartilage aging with regular consumption.
Relieving Knee Pain With Moxibustion Therapy
Moxibustion, a form of TCM therapy within the broader practice of acupuncture, involves burning moxa sticks made from dried mugwort leaves near specific acupoints to promote healing. Mugwort’s warming properties help regulate the immune system, improve qi and blood circulation, and provide both therapeutic and cosmetic benefits.Personal Experience With Moxibustion
When I was in high school, I began experiencing persistent knee pain. That summer, I often kept an electric fan blowing directly on my knees to stay cool, avoiding wind exposure to my head. By autumn, I noticed a dull ache in both knees, especially when climbing stairs, and soon realized I had developed rheumatism. Acupuncture and Western medicine provided temporary relief, but the pain returned.Determined to find a lasting solution, I discovered that applying moxibustion to the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint could relieve rheumatic pain. I bought moxa sticks and began the treatment.
At first, the treatment provided some relief, but my symptoms persisted. Upon further research, I found an ancient text stating that for true healing to occur, moxibustion on Zusanli had to be applied until a blister formed, releasing interstitial fluid.
So I held the burning stick close—without touching the skin—until the area turned red. A blister formed the next day, and once it burst and released fluid, my symptoms disappeared completely.
Today, this practice is discouraged due to the risk of infection. Simply warming the skin until it reddens is considered equally effective.
Some of the herbs mentioned in this article may be unfamiliar but are typically available at health food stores and Asian grocery stores. It is important to note that treatment methods may vary depending on the person. Always consult with a health care professional for a personalized treatment plan.
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