Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Juntendo Clinic

515 E. Golf Rd., Suite 108

Arlington Heights, IL 60005 US

847-290-8339

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
    • What is Acupuncture
    • What is Holistic Medicine
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Acupuncture Treatments
  • About Us
    • Acupuncture Services
    • Meet the Doctors
    • Testimonials
    • Our Videos
  • Request Appointment
  • Where to Find Us
  • Yoga
    • Meet the Yoga Teacher
    • Yoga Programs
    • Yoga Class Description
  • 日本語鍼治療
    • 鍼治療
    • 不妊治療
    • カッピング
  • New Patient Center
    • Your First Visit
    • Payment Options
    • Exclusive Offer
  • Fertility
    • IVF - Fertility
    • Pregnancy - Fertility
    • Yoga - Fertility
  • Acupuncture Services
    • Auricular Acupuncture
    • Five-Element Acupuncture
    • Japanese Style Acupuncture
    • Traditional Chinese Style Acupuncture
    • Cupping
    • Electroacupuncture
    • Gua Sha
    • Tui Na
    • Moxibustion
  • Community Topics
    • We May Help You With
    • Modality Treatment
    • What is Acupuncture
    • Herbal and Nutritional Therapies
    • Functional Medicine
      • Acupuncture Therapy
        • Conditions Treated
        • Herbal and Nutritional Therapies
        • Modality Treatment
        • What is Acupuncture
    • Newsletter Library
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Acupuncture for Arthritis Pain

Acupuncture for Arthritis Pain

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Man with arthritis needs acupuncture

Treating Arthritis Pain with Acupuncture

More than 58 million Americans have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, many of those people still suffer from pain, despite taking over-the-counter or prescription medication. If you're one of them, you're probably tired of trying treatments and home remedies that don't do much to ease your symptoms. Acupuncture, a therapy that's been used to treat pain for centuries, may finally help you keep your pain under control.

About Arthritis

Pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling, and other arthritis symptoms happen when the bones in your joints become damaged. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, happens when the protective cartilage at the ends of the bones erodes due to years of wear and tear. Once the cartilage is gone, the bones don't slide together smoothly when you move the joint, which causes pain.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks the tissues in your joints. Eventually, the inflammation damages the bones in the joints and may even change the way the joint looks. Post-traumatic arthritis may cause pain after an injury damages a joint, while psoriatic arthritis most often occurs in people who have the skin condition psoriasis.

Relieving Your Arthritis Symptoms with Acupuncture

Managing arthritis pain can be a challenge no matter what type of arthritis you have. Medication may not help enough or may cause side effects. If you'd like a more natural way to control your pain, acupuncture is the perfect option. Although treatments can't repair or restore damaged cartilage and bones, acupuncture can:

  • Decrease Pain. Acupuncture treatments prompt your body to release endorphins, hormones that relieve pain naturally, in addition to improving your mood. Treatments also trigger the production of serotonin, a type of hormone that reduces pain, helps you feel calm and is essential for good nerve function. A meta-analysis in the Journal of Pain found that acupuncture has a clinically relevant effect on pain and is a reasonable option for people who experience chronic pain.
  • Block Pain Signals. Your joints won't hurt if pain signals can't travel from your nerves to your brain. Acupuncture treatments target the nerve fibers that carry the signals, offering an effective way to stop pain. Electroacupuncture is particularly helpful in blocking pain, according to an article in Anesthesiology. The treatments reduce pain caused by inflammation and activate a variety of chemicals that stop or dull pain, including serotonin and natural opioids. Electroacupuncture involves attaching a gentle electrical current to acupuncture needles to enhance the effects of the treatment.
  • Reduce Inflammation and Stiffness. In addition to triggering pain, inflammation also causes swelling that stiffens arthritic joints. Inflammation can be related to an imbalance of Qi, a life force that travels through your body in a series of meridians. A Qi blockage could increase pain, swelling, and inflammation around a joint. During acupuncture treatments, your acupuncturist inserts hair-thin needles at specific points in the meridian to eliminate blockages and decrease inflammation.
  • Improve Mobility. Once joint inflammation decreases, you'll probably discover that it's much easier to move easily. Walking, bending, and other activities that used to cause pain may be much more comfortable, thanks to regular acupuncture sessions. In a research study published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, acupuncture treatments improved mobility and quality of life for osteoarthritis patients who participated. Acupuncture is just as helpful for people who have rheumatoid arthritis. In a study published in Clinical Rheumatology, patients who received 14 acupuncture sessions reported improvements in mobility, pain, quality of life and swelling.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Statistics, 10/12/21

Journal of Pain: Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis, 11/30/2017

Anesthesiology: Mechanisms of Acupuncture-Electroacupuncture on Persistent Pain, 2/2014

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies: Pain Management with Acupuncture in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 8/23/2014

Springer: Clinical Rheumatology: Acupuncture for Symptom Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Study, 1/10/2008

Arthritis Foundation: Acupuncture for Arthritis

WebMD: Acupuncture for Arthritis, 6/12/2021

  • We May Help You With
  • Modality Treatment
  • What is Acupuncture
  • Herbal and Nutritional Therapies
  • Functional Medicine
    • Acupuncture Therapy
      • Conditions Treated
      • Herbal and Nutritional Therapies
      • Modality Treatment
      • What is Acupuncture
  • Newsletter Library

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

Sign up now

Featured Links

Click to find out more

  • About Juntendo Clinic

    Who we are? How we started?
    Learn More
  • Make An Appointment

    We offer free consultations to first time patients. Schedule an appointment today!

    Learn More
  • Acupuncture Services

    View our list of Acupuncture treatment and styles that we integrate into your sessions.

    Learn More

Office Hours

Our Schedule

Monday:

2:00 pm-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

5:00 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-3:00 pm

Thursday:

Closed

Friday:

10:00 am-4:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-3:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Our Location

Find us on the map

Testimonials

  • "Earlier this year, I woke up one day with extreme pain in my right shoulder. After a trip to the emergency room and an orthopedic surgeon appointment, it was discovered that I had calcific tendinopathy. The diagnosis was that I would need to be in a shoulder immobilizer for 3-4 months for painful rehab and months of harsh prescription medications. This is when I consulted with Dr. Kari and Kimberley. After the first treatment, I was able to remover the shoulder immobilizer. By the third treatment, I was back at full strength. I owe my ability to enjoy my summer to Juntendo Clinic and recommend Dr. Kari and Kimberly to everyone I speak with."
    C.F.
  • "I came to see Dr. Kari one year ago due to infertility. Dr. Kari used her knowledge and experience to help me have two healthy boys. I also did acupuncture throughout my pregnancy and that helped me stay energized and maintain a healthy pregnancy."
    J.H.
  • "Thank you so very much for treating my lower back pain caused by the sciatica nerve. The pain is completely gone. I would also like to thank you for being so thoughtful and concerned about my health."
    M.J.
  • "Acupuncture has helped me in many ways. No medical treatments helped me get pregnant, but acupuncture helped. Also I am more relaxed. Acupuncture brought light into my life. I got a beautiful daughter and I cannot be more thankful to Dr. Kari."
    Z.B.
  • "I believe acupuncture treatment helped me greatly to have a successful pregnancy. Especially going through a year of treatment."
    M.A.
  • "Helped with headaches, bloating, heartburn, and acupuncture has really helped with morning sickness. I started coming to the clinic in early this year. Dr. Ye has been a god send to me."
    E.P.
  • "Have a lot of confidence in Dr. Ye's knowledge and skills. Would refer others to Juntendo. Office is very clean / hygenic. Staff is professional and people oriented. Dr. Ye is very personable. I am very pleased with Juntendo."
    A.E. / Arlington Heights, IL

Featured Articles

Read up on informative topics

  • Acupuncture to Lessen Post-Surgical Pain

    Worried about pain after surgery? Acupuncture can help. ...

    Read More
  • November Newsletter: Acupuncture can ease many common medical side effects

    Could acupuncture decrease your side effects? ...

    Read More
  • Acupuncture for Arthritis Pain

    Need a little help with arthritis pain? Acupuncture could help you manage your symptoms. ...

    Read More
  • February Newsletter: Acupuncture for All Ages

    Wondering if acupuncture can help you or your family? ...

    Read More
  • December Newsletter: Get a Head Start on Holiday Stress with Acupuncture

    Thanks to acupuncture, stress doesn't have to ruin your holidays. ...

    Read More
  • Acupuncture for Easing Digestion

    Could acupuncture help you manage heartburn, diarrhea, cramps and other digestive symptoms? ...

    Read More
  • January Newsletter: Prenatal Acupuncture for Lower Back Pain

    Could acupuncture keep your lower back pain under control during pregnancy? ...

    Read More
  • Acupuncture Could Help Control and Prevent Migraines

    Do your migraines interfere with your life? Acupuncture could help you ease your pain naturally. ...

    Read More
  • Acupuncture Provides Benefits for All Ages

    Wondering if acupuncture is right for you or your children? ...

    Read More
  • March Newsletter: Acupuncture for Back Pain

    Struggling with back pain? Find out how acupuncture can help. ...

    Read More
  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map