arthritis

Acupuncture and
Chinese Herbal Medicine For Arthritis

Think you have arthritis? If you’ve been experiencing stiffness, pain, and swelling in joints you may be suffering from arthritis. Fortunately, acupuncture offers an effective and gentle treatment for arthritis and other causes of joint discomfort. Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine that involves the insertion of very thin needles into strategic points to promote healing and reduce pain. Chinese Herbal medicine addresses internal imbalances and can play an essential role in a complete treatment plan. At Gotham Holistic Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine, our acupuncturist has extensive experience in helping patients achieve long-awaited relief from joint pain.

Signs of Arthritis

If you’re suffering from arthritis, you’re not alone – arthritis affects 1 in 4 adults, and it can affect people of all ages. The symptoms of arthritis are varied; pain may be mild, moderate, or severe, and can be accompanied by inflammation and other symptoms. Read on for some background on the two most common types: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, often referred to as “degenerative joint disease” or “wear and tear” arthritis, is the most prevalent type of arthritis.In this type of arthritis, the cartilage, which helps cushion the ends of our bones for smooth movement, starts to wear down. While it’s often linked with aging,  factors like injuries and overuse can also contribute to osteoarthritis. Some symptoms associated with this type of arthritis include:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body mistakenly perceives certain healthy tissues as invaders and triggers inflammation by attacking them. With rheumatoid arthritis, the lining of the joint becomes inflamed. The areas most commonly affected are the hands, wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips and shoulders.. Additionally, many people with this condition may also feel its effects in parts of the body besides the joints. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:

Benefits of Acupuncture for Arthritis

Your medical doctor may have recommended oral painkillers (often NSAIDs) like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, or other prescription painkillers, or corticosteroid injections. If you are looking for a solution that addresses the root cause of acupuncture instead of covering up the pain, acupuncture is an excellent alternative. Unlike conventional treatments, acupuncture is a non-invasive option that doesn’t carry the unwanted side effects of oral painkillers and is clinically proven to be effective for arthritis. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin, flexible, sterile needles designed with patient comfort in mind. Every treatment is tailored to the individual patient and utilizes a combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern electro-acupuncture methods for optimal results. We’ve had the pleasure of helping many of our patients achieve meaningful reduction of pain, improvement in mobility, and a better quality of life. It is our goal to help our patients return to an active life in which they get to enjoy the activities they love. Additionally, acupuncture helps to prevent flare-ups by addressing related and underlying health issues which can trigger flare-ups such as stress and insomnia.

Acupuncture treats arthritis by:

When and why Chinese Herbs are recommended

Chronic pain conditions (those that started 2 or more months ago) are likely to involve internal imbalances which are contributing to pain, or preventing a full recovery. In these cases, herbs provide an essential component to a complete treatment plan. Herbal therapy along with acupuncture provides faster relief and longer lasting results. High quality herbs, correct dosage, and custom formulation are essential when utilizing Chinese herbs for a specific goal. At Gotham Holistic a thorough assesement will be done in order to determine the apropriate formula for you. Regular check-ins will be scheduled to allow for any adjustments to your formula that are needed. Our custom herbal formulations are filled in-clinic and use source herbs of exceptional quality standards.

Treatment for Arthritis in NYC

If you have arthritis or are experiencing achy or stiff joints and would like to find out how acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help you, get started with a complimentary consultation at Gotham Holistic Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine. We’ve helped many of our patients suffering from arthritis to reduce pain and improve their quality of life, and we’d love to help you. Book your appointment online to meet with our skilled and experienced acupuncturist to find out more about how you can benefit from our effective treatments for arthritis.

Studies on Acupuncture for Arthritis

1. Chou PC, Chu HY. Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associated Mechanisms: A Systemic Review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018 Apr 12;2018:8596918. doi: 10.1155/2018/8596918. PMID: 29849731; PMCID: PMC5925010.
2. Selfe TK, Taylor AG. Acupuncture and osteoarthritis of the knee: a review of randomized, controlled trials. Fam Community Health. 2008 Jul-Sep;31(3):247-54. doi: 10.1097/01.FCH.0000324482.78577.0f. PMID: 18552606; PMCID: PMC2810544.
3. Liu W, Fan Y, Wu Y, Hou X, Xue B, Li P, Zhang S, Yue Q. Efficacy of Acupuncture-Related Therapy in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Pain Res. 2021 Jul 19;14:2209-2228. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S315956. PMID: 34321920; PMCID: PMC8302815.