Acupuncture for Arthritis

Scientists have studied acupuncture for arthritis pain relief and report positive results. 

Western medicine distinguishes two types of arthritis:  osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although common in modern civilization, these disorders occur very rarely or not at all in some so-called primitive cultures.  The rheumatoid variety only occurs in cultures consuming grain-based diets. 

Osteoarthritis involves degeneration of the cartilage, and typically occurs on only one side of the body; for example, you will have one arthritic knee, not both.

The Merck Manual states that “Normal joints have little friction with movement and do not wear out  with typical use, overuse,  or trauma.”  If so, then why do people get degenerative arthritis?  Conventional medicine does not offer any explanation. 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves autoimmune activity wherein the individual's immune system attacks the joint tissues. RA usually affects the joints bilaterally, so for example it will occur in both hands.  

The Merck Manual states “Although RA involves autoimmune reactions, the precise cause is unknown; many factors may contribute.” 

Both types of arthritis involve pathological calcium deposits in the joints, and patients commonly have both arthritis and arteriosclerosis involving calcium deposits in the arteries.  This indicates that both types involve an imbalance of nutrients required for proper utilization of calcium.  Below I will discuss dietary factors contributing to RA.

Acupuncture for Arthritis

Regular use of acupuncture for arthritis can reduce the pain and inflammation associated with either OA or RA by promoting the flow of blood to and from the affected area.  However it does not promote recovery of degenerative cartilage or reduce autoimmune reactions by itself.  Treatment of the underlying inflammation and in the case of RA autoimmune activity requires the use of herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, and dietary changes.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Arthritis

Chinese herbal medicines provide anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating effects to reduce arthritic pain, inflammation, and stiffness.

In a study [abstract here] done at Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, researchers randomly assigned 90 RA patients to receive a traditional Chinese herbal medicine formula (SQDD) or methotrexate (MTX) with 45 cases in each group.  After 24 weeks of treatment, the group treated with herbal medicine had reductions in symptoms and signs similar to the methotrexate group.  "The patient's global assessment and physician's global assessment, morning stiffness, grip strength, tender joint count, swollen joint count and the levels of ESR, CRP and anti-CCP antibody in SQDD and MTX groups were improved significantly as compared with those before treatment, and there were no significant differences between the two groups. The efficacy of MTX in improving rest pain and joint tenderness was better than that of SQDD (P<0.05). The incidence rate of adverse reactions in SQDD group was 9.75%(4/41), significantly lower than 32.5% (13/40) in MTX group (P<0.05)."  Thus, the herbal medicine treatment produced similar relief to MTX, with one-quarter the adverse effects. 

Teekachunhatean et al compared the Chinese herbal formula Duhuo Jisheng Wan (DJW) with the analgesic diclofenac in symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee [full text here] . They concluded that "DJW demonstrates clinically comparable efficacy to diclofenac after 4 weeks of treatment."

Whole Food Plant Based Diet  For Arthritis

A whole-foods plant-based diet (also known as a macrobiotic diet) can help prevent or reverse arthritis.

In 2015 Clinton and colleagues reported in the Journal Arthritis:  "a whole-foods, plant-based diet significantly improves self-assessed measures of functional status among osteoarthritis patients."

Return from Acupuncture for Arthritis to Conditions A-Z

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.


Now seeing clients in person at:

The Retreat, LLC

7118 Summerfield Rd

Lambertville, MI 48144

Call To Make Appointment:

734-773-6773

Telemedicine: 

602-954-8016

Recent Articles

  1. Whole Foods Plant-Based Diet

    Oct 02, 23 07:02 PM

    Heal yourself with a whole foods plant-based diet.

    Read More

  2. Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture in Lambertville Michigan

    Oct 02, 23 01:43 PM

    Needles in foot
    Affordable Chinese herbs and acupuncture near Toledo Ohio. Try Barefoot Acupuncture Clinic at the Retreat in Lamberville, MI.

    Read More

  3. Regular acupuncture benefits rheumatoid arthritis patients.

    Oct 31, 19 02:17 PM

    A 2018 study published in Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal found that clinical trials indicate that regular acupuncture over at least 3-12 weeks improves condition and qua…

    Read More

  4. Acupuncture and herbal medicine reduce ringing in ears

    Oct 30, 19 02:17 PM

    "Acupuncture provides tinnitus relief. Luoding City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Guangdong, China) researchers determined that acupuncture combined with the herbal formula Liu Wei Di Huan…

    Read More

  5. Origin of "Barefoot Acupuncture"

    Sep 28, 19 02:24 PM

    Origin of "barefoot acupuncture" for our clinic name.

    Read More

  6. Complementary facial rejuvenation session.

    Sep 28, 19 01:35 PM

    During the month of October 2019, receive a complementary facial rejuvenation treatment ($35 value) with any new patient or follow-up acupuncture treatment! Use this code to claim your free facial rej…

    Read More

  7. Acupuncture as an alternative to opioids.

    Sep 28, 19 01:29 PM

    Conventional medical professionals have a growing interest in use of acupuncture instead of opioids for chronic pain.

    Read More

  8. Acupuncture a 'Realistic Option' vs HRT for Hot Flashes

    Apr 10, 19 01:50 PM

    I have had many patients report less hot flashes with regular acupuncture. We also have Chinese herbal formulas that are very effective for controlling menopausal hot flashes and night sweats. Medscap…

    Read More

  9. Chinese Herbal Medicine

    Oct 31, 18 01:26 PM

    Quality Chinese herbal medicine can help resolve a wide variety of conditions.

    Read More

  10. Chinese herbal medicine improves circulation and reduces cold hands and feet

    Oct 18, 18 05:00 PM

    Tangkuei Decoction for Frigid Extrimities Plus Evodia and Fresh Ginger is a traditional Chinese medicine for cold hands and feet. In Japanese it is called Tokishigyakukagoshuyushokyoto. This study fro…

    Read More