Brochures

Osteoarthritis & Joint Pain Relief

Overview

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the United States, affecting an estimated 32.5 million adults according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It develops when the cartilage that cushions joints — most often the knees, hips, hands, and spine — gradually wears down, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.

Symptoms

Joint pain from osteoarthritis often worsens with activity and improves with rest in the early stages, but can become more constant over time. Many patients also notice stiffness after sitting still, swelling around the joint, and a grinding or creaking sensation with movement.

The TCM View: Bi Syndrome

Traditional Chinese Medicine describes joint pain as a form of Bi syndrome — an obstruction of Qi and Blood in and around the joints, often brought on by the invasion of Wind, Cold, or Dampness, or by a gradual decline in Kidney and Liver energy that naturally occurs with age. Acupuncture and Tuina work to restore circulation to the affected joint and relieve the obstruction causing pain and stiffness.

Research on Acupuncture for Joint Pain

A 2018 research review found that acupuncture was more effective than no treatment across 10 studies (2,413 participants), and more effective than sham (placebo) acupuncture across 9 studies (2,376 participants), for osteoarthritis pain.

In 2019, the American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation issued a clinical practice guideline that conditionally recommends acupuncture for arthritis of the hand, hip, or knee — with the strongest evidence for knee osteoarthritis specifically.

How We Treat Joint Pain at Dragon Phoenix

Dragon Phoenix Acupuncture treats joint pain with a combination of acupuncture and electroacupuncture directly at and around the affected joint, along with moxibustion or cupping to improve local circulation and Tuina massage to relax surrounding muscles and improve mobility.

What to Expect

Because osteoarthritis is a chronic, progressive condition, treatment is usually structured as an initial series of 10–15 sessions to reduce pain and improve mobility, followed by periodic maintenance visits to help manage symptoms long-term.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation, 2019 Clinical Practice Guideline.