Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to reduce joint pain, swelling, and stiffness caused by arthritis. Acupuncture not only treats symptoms, like taking a painkiller, but also works to naturally reduce inflammation in the body.
In my over 20 years of practice, I have helped hundreds of patients with arthritis. I use a combination of therapies customized to each patient, including acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and cupping.
The cumulative effect of acupuncture is important. Not only is there pain relief from one acupuncture treatment, but through a full treatment course my patients see a long-term reduction in pain and a greater ability to function.
How does acupuncture work to treat arthritis?
Acupuncture works to relieve the pain and stiffness of arthritis in many ways. First, acupuncture stimulates the release of natural pain relievers in the brain called opioids.¹
Additionally, acupuncture acts as a mind-body technique which changes the way the nervous system feels pain.²
Importantly, acupuncture’s effects can last well beyond the treatment course itself. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis found that acupuncture provided durable pain relief and functional improvement for knee osteoarthritis patients lasting 3 to 6 months after treatment ended.³
In addition to relieving pain, acupuncture has an anti-inflammatory effect, reducing inflammation in the muscles and joints. Research has shown acupuncture to be an effective treatment for arthritis.⁴
Electro-acupuncture
Electro-acupuncture is used to enhance the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory aspects of acupuncture. It’s very similar to traditional acupuncture but provides an additional small amount of electrical stimulation to the needles. This stimulation enhances muscle relaxation and the release of natural painkillers in the body, as well as helping to decrease inflammation.
Electro-acupuncture is very frequently used for arthritis, as well as other chronic pain and inflammatory conditions. Pain relief with electro-acupuncture can be so dramatic it has been used for certain types of surgery in China.⁵
Acupuncture understanding of arthritis
Chinese medicine views health as a state of balance in the body. When the body is imbalanced there is pain and discomfort. Arthritis can be caused by imbalances such as too little Qi, the body’s energy, leading to weak and painful joints.
Many traditions understand that arthritis symptoms often worsen in cold and damp weather. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have made the connection to this seasonal phenomenon for thousands of years. According to acupuncture, cold and damp can become stuck in the joints, disrupting normal function and circulation, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine work to warm the body and increase circulation, leading to relief from pain. Warming the acupuncture points and channels helps dislodge the cold and dampness. While the acupuncture session may be focused on the painful area, the purpose of each treatment is to address the whole body.
What is the treatment like?
During the first visit, we completed a medical history and physical examination focused on the painful and stiff joints. Diagnosis and treatment focus on identifying the specific root imbalance causing the condition, and a treatment course plan is built from there.
The acupuncture session lasts 30 minutes. If using electro-acupuncture, the optimal time for treatment is 20 minutes, after which the needles are readjusted and stimulated for 10 more minutes of regular acupuncture. This combination maximizes the pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects of both types of treatment.
The goal of the treatment course is to decrease pain and inflammation and improve mobility in the joints. Many people find rapid relief within a few weeks of beginning treatment.
Generally, patients come in once or twice a week, depending on symptom severity, gradually decreasing treatments over time. The treatment course generally lasts 2 to 4 months, often followed by long-lasting pain relief.
Get Relief from Arthritis
Living with arthritis pain can make even small movements feel like a struggle. Acupuncture offers a natural way to reduce inflammation, ease pain, and support long-term joint function.
To schedule your appointment, please call us at 212-319-5757 or schedule your appointment online.
References
- Zhang R, Lao L, Ren K, Berman BM. Mechanisms of acupuncture-electroacupuncture on persistent pain. Anesthesiology. 2014;120(2):482-503.
- Otti A, Noll-Hussong M. Acupuncture-induced pain relief and the human brain’s default mode network – an extended view of central effects of acupuncture analgesia. Forsch Komplementmed. 2012;19(4):197-201.
- Chen H, Shi H, Gao S, Fang J, Yi J, Wu W, Liu X, Liu Z. Durable Effects of Acupuncture for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2024;28(7):709-722.
- Berman BM, Lao L, Langenberg P, Lee WL, Gilpin AM, Hochberg MC. Effectiveness of acupuncture as adjunctive therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2004;141(12):901-910.
- Zhou J, Chi H, Cheng TO, et al. Acupuncture anesthesia for open heart surgery in contemporary China. Int J Cardiol. 2011;150(1):12-16..