Acupuncture for Joint Pain Relief

Joint pain is an extremely common problem that will affect most people at some point during their lifetime. In most cases, the pain is triggered by inflammation of the joint and this can occur for several reasons. These include:

• Repetitive strain injuries
  
   

• Other injuries
  
   

• Bursitis
  
   

• Autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and Lyme disease
  
   

• Osteoarthritis
  
   

• Carrying excess weight

Joint pain can occur at any age but is more likely as we get older when we're more susceptible to health problems. Many people who suffer from joint pain find that it can severely limit their flexibility and range of motion, and this can make simple movements extremely uncomfortable and difficult to perform. Experiencing joint pain can quickly start to affect your quality of life.

Many people with joint pain are prescribed anti-inflammatory medications to help alleviate their discomfort. However, these usually only treat the pain rather than the underlying cause, meaning that these patients can become reliant on the medication just so they can function day-to-day. Fortunately, there are other treatment options, including acupuncture. 

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient practice that involves the insertion of ultra-fine needles into pre-determined points of the body to stimulate, disrupt and change the flow of energy. It’s believed that doing this prompts the body to release natural chemicals that help to fight illness and improve whole-body wellness. The practice of acupuncture stems from ancient Chinese medicine, but modern scientific studies have confirmed that it is effective at treating a variety of different health conditions, including joint pain.

Acupuncture sessions usually last between an hour and 90 minutes, which includes placing the needles and giving them time to work. The needles are placed at different depths, and while some people may experience a momentary prick as the needles are placed, the treatment should be painless. In fact, some patients become so relaxed that they fall asleep! Unsurprisingly, when a patient is looking to target and improve their joint pain, the majority of acupuncture needles may be placed around the knee area. However, to divert energy efficiently, it may also be necessary to place needles in other areas of the body. Your practitioner will explain the needle placement to you and will be happy to answer any questions that you have.

How Many Acupuncture Sessions Will I Need?

Every patient is different, and this means that the number of acupuncture treatment sessions you will need will depend on your condition and how well your body responds to the treatment. Many patients will have one appointment a week for a number of weeks to achieve optimal improvement. Others will require sessions less frequently to maintain the joint relief that they have achieved. It’s also important to remember that you might not experience the full benefits of your acupuncture treatment after just a single session, and so you may need to wait for several weeks to establish how well the treatment is working for you.

For more information about acupuncture for joint pain relief, please speak to our dedicated and compassionate team at Healistic Chiropractic and Acupuncture by calling (765) 227-2454.