Acupuncture for Popliteus Muscle Pain
Popliteus muscle
The popliteus, a small muscle located at the back of the knee joint, is often overlooked yet plays a crucial role in knee stability and function. For those experiencing popliteus pain, acupuncture and dry needling offer natural and effective treatment options.
Key Points
Acupuncture and dry needling provide targeted relief for popliteus pain.
These techniques can alleviate pain, reduce muscle tension, and improve mobility.
They are part of a holistic approach to knee health, offering a drug-free alternative to pain management.
Quick Overview of the Popliteus
The popliteus muscle is key to initiating knee flexion from a fully extended position and maintaining knee stability. Pain in this muscle can manifest as discomfort in the back of the knee, especially during activities like running or walking downhill. For a deeper understanding of the popliteus muscle, please visit our Popliteus Muscle Explained blog.
Popliteus Trigger Points
Trigger points in the popliteus can contribute to knee pain and instability. These are hyperirritable spots within the muscle that can cause referred pain and tenderness. Travell and Simons refer to the it as the “bent-knee troublemaker” because it irritates the back of the knee.
Common Indications for Popliteus Trigger Points
Posterior Knee Pain
Problems Going Down Stairs
Signs and Symptoms of Popliteus Trigger Points
Pain behind the knee when crouching or running/walking downhill
Pain behind the knee when going down stairs
Trigger points in the muscle generally don’t cause knee pain at night and patients are often unaware of decreased range of motion in the knee.
What Causes Popliteus Muscle Pain?
Sports that involve running, twisting, and sliding like soccer or football
Running downhill
Downhill skiing
Quick stop when running
Excessive foot pronation during weight brearing
The popliteus muscle tends to get overloaded when stopping forward motion while performing a twisting turn on a bent knee on that side. This is a common movement in soccer or football.
Popliteus trigger point location
Where are Popliteus Trigger Points?
The trigger point area of the muscle is located in the belly of the muscle, which tends to be slightly below the crease of the back of the knee and slightly medial toward the tibia on the back of the lower leg.
The muscle can be palpated below the knee between the semitendinosus tendon and the medial portion of the gastrocnemius.
Popliteus Trigger Point Referral Pattern
Refers pain to the back of the knee with a local referral pattern
Associated Trigger Points
Gastrocnemius
Biceps femoris
The popliteus muscle works with the medial hamstrings, sartorius, and gracilis to medially rotate the leg.
Differential Diagnosis
Popliteal tendinitis
Baker’s cyst
Meniscus tear
Plantaris muscle tear
Knee joint instability
Popliteal vein issues
Treatment for Popliteus Muscle Pain
Acupuncture for Popliteus Pain
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points along the body - either locally in the muscle or at distal points to alleviate pain and restore balance.
For popliteus pain, acupuncture can:
Target specific areas to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
Improve circulation and promote healing in the knee area.
Offer a holistic treatment by addressing the root cause of pain.
Dry Needling for Popliteus Trigger Points
Dry needling specifically targets muscular trigger points, including those in the popliteus. This method can:
Provide immediate relief from muscle tension and pain.
Improve muscle activation and function.
Enhance recovery and rehabilitation from knee injuries.
Research on Acupuncture and Dry Needling for Popliteus Pain
Several studies have shed light on the efficacy of acupuncture and dry needling for treating knee pain:
A systematic review found dry needling effective for reducing pain intensity and disability in patients with chronic low back pain, suggesting potential benefits for similar conditions like popliteus pain (Dach, F., & Ferreira, K. S., 2023)1.
Research on different treatments for myofascial pain syndrome showed that acupuncture, in combination with other modalities, resulted in significantly lower pain scores and improved patient satisfaction (Shan, H., et al., 2023)2.
The Fu's subcutaneous needling technique, a blend of acupuncture and dry needling, was found effective for soft tissue pain in knee osteoarthritis, highlighting its potential for popliteus pain (Chiu, P.-E., et al., 2023)3.
Conclusion
Acupuncture and dry needling present promising natural treatment options for those suffering from popliteus pain. By focusing on trigger points and causes of muscle pain, they offer a holistic approach to pain relief and knee health. Individuals experiencing knee pain are encouraged to consult with an acupuncture specialist to explore these therapeutic options.
Over to you
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Sources:
Travell, J. G., Simons, D. G. (1993). Myofascial pain and dysfunction: The trigger point manual. London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Biel, A., & Dorn, R. (2010). Trail guide to the body: A hands-on guide to locating muscles, bones and more. Boulder, CO: Books of Dicovery.
Janda, Vladimír. “Muscle Function Testing.” (1983).
Hyland S, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Popliteus Muscle. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526084/
Jadhav, S. P., More, S. R., Riascos, R. F., Lemos, D. F., & Swischuk, L. E. (2014). Comprehensive review of the anatomy, function, and imaging of the popliteus and associated pathologic conditions. Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc, 34(2), 496–513. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.342125082
De-Arriba-Agre, J. I., García-Mulas, C., Grigelmo-Hernández, S., Jiménez-Rejano, J. J., Fernández-Carnero, S., Naranjo-Cinto, F., Pecos-Martín, D., & Nunez-Nagy, S. (2022). Dry Needling of the Popliteus Muscle Validation by Ultrasound Imaging: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study. Journal of clinical medicine, 11(21), 6409. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11216409
Chiu, P. E., Fu, Z., Sun, J., Jian, G. W., Li, T. M., Chou, L. W. Fu's Subcutaneous Needling for Knee Osteoarthritis Pain. J. Vis. Exp. (193), e65299, doi:10.3791/65299 (2023). https://www.jove.com/t/65299/fu-s-subcutaneous-needling-for-knee-osteoarthritis-pain
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