The knee is a joint that bears body weight and is responsible for flexion and extension. Because of its complex structure, pain can arise from a variety of causes.

▪️ Degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis): As cartilage wears away, bone rubs against bone, causing pain and inflammation. The main causes are aging, excess weight, and overuse of the knee.

▪️ Damage to structures within the joint: Meniscus tears or cruciate ligament tears are common, often occurring during intense activities like soccer or hiking.

▪️ Tendinitis and bursitis: Overuse of the knee or repeated friction can cause patellar tendinitis or inflammation of the bursae around the knee.

▪️ Blood stasis (瘀血) and qi stagnation (氣滯): In Korean/traditional medicine, trauma, bruising, or the invasion of cold and damp pathogenic factors (wind-cold-dampness) is thought to disrupt the flow of qi and blood through the meridians, causing pain to become chronic.

▪️ Genetic predisposition (hereditary factors) plays an important role. In particular, major degenerative conditions and structural characteristics can be influenced by family history or genetic variation.

We approach knee pain not simply as a problem localized to the painful area, but comprehensively — from the perspective of the Liver (肝) and Kidney (腎), which govern the muscles and bones, as well as the circulation of qi and blood throughout the body. For knee pain treatment to be effective, it is essential to also treat the surrounding muscles and ligaments of the thigh, knee, and calf.

Hamsoa Family Clinic Knee Pain Program