Acupuncture for
Joint Pain

A systemic review of multiple studies on low back pain shows that acupuncture can both reduce pain and improve function. Some studies showed that acupuncture provided immediate relief.

Acupuncture for Low Back Pain: An Overview of Systematic Reviews - PMC (nih.gov)

Yes, and we highly recommend using acupuncture together with dietary and lifestyle changes along with select herbal remedies and supplements. There have been many scientific studies demonstrating that acupuncture, dietary changes, and herbal remedies can reduce pain and improve overall quality of life in those with rheumatoid arthritis. See below links to review these various studies.

Acupuncture:

Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associated Mechanisms: A Systemic Review - PMC (nih.gov)

An anti-inflammatory diet Mediterranean diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids:

An anti-inflammatory diet Mediterranean diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids: Effect of Anti-Inflammatory Diets on Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - PMC (nih.gov)

Herbal remedies:

Herbal remedies: Scientific basis of botanical medicine as alternative remedies for rheumatoid arthritis - PubMed (nih.gov)

SI joint dysfunction can be a hidden source of chronic pain. The term sacroiliac joint dysfunction refers to abnormal motion in the sacroiliac joint, either too much motion or too little motion, that causes pain in this region. The most common symptoms are lower back pain, pain/numbness/tingling/weakness in the buttocks area, pelvis/buttock pain, hip/groin pain, a feeling of leg buckling/giving way, disturbed sleep patterns, and inability to sit for long periods.

Acupuncture can help to alleviate the pain and strengthen the muscles and tendons in the region, allowing for proper movement and rehabilitation to the hip area.

Your neck is the uppermost part of the spinal column, made up of vertebrae and small discs between the vertebrae that absorb shock and give your spine the flexibility to move freely.

Connected to your spinal column are muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support your neck. When any of these areas become strained, inflamed, or injured, you can experience chronic neck pain that may not go away on its own.

Acupuncture alleviates pain and tension in the neck area and throughout the body by placing hair-thin needles into predetermined acupuncture points, which can help loosen stiff muscles, improve range of motion, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain.

Shoulder pain often comes from bursitis, tendinitis, sprain, strain, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), or rotator cuff syndrome.

Frozen shoulder begins as a slight pain and progresses to severe discomfort, which becomes worse when the shoulder is moved. Eventually, the shoulder stiffens to the point that it cannot be moved at all. The normal response is not to move the painful joint, allowing adhesions and constricting bands of tissue to form. Adhesions make it even more difficult and painful to move the shoulder, and a vicious cycle develops.

Eventually, the capsule lining the shoulder joint shrinks because of scar tissue resulting from the adhesions.

And so the vicious cycle is created: minor injury → pain → no movement → fibrous tissue forms → adhesion → more pain → less range of motion → more adhesion.

Acupuncture can break this vicious cycle.

Acupuncture treats a variety of shoulder pains by promoting healing, reducing inflammation and increasing range of motion. As well, acupuncture minimizes the need for conventional pain-killing drugs and thus cuts down the risk of adverse side-effects as well.

Yes, a systemic review on various studies on gouty arthritis concluded that acupuncture treatments can reduce both pain and uric acid levels. As dietary factors have been shown to significantly contribute to the frequency of attacks, we recommend complementing acupuncture treatments with diet and lifestyle changes to further reduce uric acid levels and overall inflammation.

Update on the Clinical Effect of Acupuncture Therapy in Patients with Gouty Arthritis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - PMC (nih.gov)

Gout and Diet: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms and Management - PMC (nih.gov)

While the studies around acupuncture and fibromyalgia have not been as promising as some other inflammatory diseases, acupuncture has been shown to provide some overall pain relief and improve insomnia in those with fibromyalgia. Various nutritional interventions have also shown to improve fibromyalgia symptoms, so we recommend complementing acupuncture treatments with dietary changes.

Efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of fibromyalgia - PMC (nih.gov)

Nutritional Interventions in the Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome - PMC (nih.gov) )

Everyone has a different pain tolerance around acupuncture. Some do not notice the needle at all and others feel just a slight pinch. It’s important to note that acupuncture needles are not hollow (as is a doctor’s needle), but rather they are very thin surgical steel wires (typically 0.20 mm in diameter).

As a common application of acupuncture is to treat pain and improve movement, it can be helpful regardless of your sport of choice.

Acupuncture has been shown to reduce pain and increase recovery time in injuries, such as lateral meniscus rupture, femoral acetabular impingement, ganglion cysts, and sports hernia. Eileen has used acupuncture successfully to help with various sports-related injuries. For best and fastest results, we recommend using acupuncture as an adjunct to physical therapy and medical treatments. We also suggest nutrition support to ensure your body is getting all it needs to recover quickly.

Use of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Sports-Related Injuries in Athletes: A Systematic Review of Case Reports - PMC (nih.gov)

As acupuncture can have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body, this makes acupuncture an effective performance-enhancement tool. Acupuncture can help muscles increase their functionality, mobility, and stability. Post-workout inflammation is an unavoidable part of any athletic activity, which is why acupuncture works well with all sports and forms of exercise.

We hope you won’t need it as much, but you can still take your pain medication as recommended by your doctor. There are no contraindications for acupuncture and most medications. During the intake, we will ask if you are on any medications (pain or otherwise) to ensure that there are no contraindications with any supplements or herbs recommended.

Yes, in addition to offering acupuncture and nutrition services, Kirsten is a registered yoga teacher and she can recommend simple asanas (yoga postures) and sequences to get you moving again.