Efficacy of Acupuncture With Physical Therapy for Knee Osteo-Arthritis

INCLUSION CRITERIA * X-ray proven osteoarthritis of the knee - Kellgren level 2 or greater * More than 3 months of moderate knee pain * Previous trial of NSAIDs or acetaminophen * Physician referral for at least 6 physical therapy treatments * Capacity to understand the requirements of the study and complete questionnaires * Average knee pain with movement, 4 or above, during the last week EXCLUSION CRITERIA * Average hip, back, ankle pain is greater than average knee pain (scale 1-10) * Back, hip or ankle pain substantially interferes with patient knee assessment * History of gout * Acupuncture in the last year * Moderate or greater hip or ankle pain greater than 3 daily * Local corticosteroid injection into the effected knee within the past 4 weeks * Hyaluronidase within the past 6 months * Bleeding disorder or current use of Coumadin or Heparin * Cardiac or pulmonary disease limiting exercise tolerance enough to limit the standard exercise physical therapy * History of alcohol or drug abuse within the past 6 months * Unable to complete a six minute walk test