Acupuncture for Osteoarthritis

Can acupuncture treat osteoarthritis?

Acupuncture is useful in the treatment of musculoskeletal complaints (1-4), including arthritis (5).  Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is estimated to affect 1.6 million Australians. 

What causes osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis because it is a progressive condition caused by wear and tear to the joint.  Over time the protective layer of cartilage covering the ends of the bone and allows the joint to glide smoothly, is partially or completely worn away.  This leads to bone grinding on bone, causing pain, inflammation and eventually loss of movement.

This type of arthritis can affect any joint in the body however it is commonly seen in hands, neck, lower back, hips, and knees.

How can acupuncture help?

There is no cure for osteoarthritis, once the cartilage is gone, it’s gone, however acupuncture can help to alleviate pain and discomfort (6), and restore as much function as is possible with the structural changes that have taken place.  

Acupuncture treatment for osteoarthritis is designed to relax the surrounding muscles of the joint, allowing the joint to maneuver in the way it was intended as opposed to being pulled to one side.  This reduces pressure on the joint, helping to prevent further degeneration. 

Secondly, the acupuncture is used to treat the soft tissues of the body and improve the lubricating of the joint (7,8).

Finally, acupuncture has been found to reduce inflammation and boost cellular growth and repair (9). 

All this combined help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with osteoarthritis.

Disclaimer – Each individual’s treatment and/or results may vary from patient to patient based upon the circumstances of the patient’s specific situation.  A result is not promised and/or guaranteed  from the act of receiving a treatment.

When should I see an acupuncturist?

Because this is a degenerative condition, it’s best to start a treatment plan as son as you can.  This type of condition does need regular acupuncture to maintain results.  Most patients come for treatment until the pain is gone and then return for treatment several weeks or months later to maintain results.  The length of time between sessions varies according to how much damage has been done to the joint but your body will give you an indication as to when you need to return based on a return of tenderness or discomfort.

Clinical research trials for acupuncture as an effective treatment for osteoarthritis

There are plenty of studies which support the use of acupuncture as a treatment for symptoms of osteoarthritis, including the following: 

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323401968000607
2. http://eprints.ugd.edu.mk/15680/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16934402
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3135576/
5. Acupuncture and Osteoarthritis of the Knee conducted in September 2008, was a review of randomized controlled trials by Terry Kit Selfie, DC, Ph D and Ann Gill Taylor EdD. RN, FAAN.

   It concluded that “These studies provide evidence that acupuncture is an effective treatment for pain and physical dysfunction associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.”
   PMCID: PMC2810544, NIHMSID: NIHMS151240

6. https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0192415X17500513
7. http://www.hnykdxxb.com/PDF/201623/40.pdf
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6250299/
9. https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0192415X18500520