Does Acupuncture Help Reduce Joint Pain?

When your joints hurt, it affects every part of your life: work, relaxation, sleep, social interactions, and family time. Joint pain is one of the most common concerns for adults, whether due to aging, injury, or chronic conditions. As people seek relief, acupuncture for joint pain has gained popularity as a potential option for managing discomfort. If you’ve never experienced acupuncture, you may wonder how it works and whether it can support joint health.

What Exactly Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. The goal is to stimulate these points to promote balance, encourage relaxation, and support overall well-being. While acupuncture has been used for centuries, modern research continues to explore its potential benefits for various health concerns, including joint pain. Current research focuses on the physiological reaction the body has to the insertion of a needle, which releases endorphins and enkephalins along with cortisol. These substances can reduce pain and help inflammation. 

Commonly Reported Benefits of Acupuncture

Many individuals turn to acupuncture as a way to supplement or advance their exploration of pain relief options. Reports demonstrate that acupuncture may promote relaxation and reduce tension. Some reports also indicate that it can support circulation around affected areas, bringing materials to the site for the body to use in the healing process. Acupuncture may also encourage mobility and comfort, and it is often used to complement other wellness strategies. 

Acupuncture for Joint Pain

Joint pain is disruptive, and many individuals are willing to explore all options to reduce its interference in their lives. Acupuncture is commonly sought for general joint pain relief, including discomfort in the knees, hips, shoulders, and the sacroiliac (SI) joint of the lower back. Acupuncture for SI joint pain and other conditions aims to target specific acupuncture points, and some individuals feel an improvement in their ability to move comfortably. Costs can add up for acupuncture, as each session can be up to $200, and ongoing treatments are required. 

Which Therapy Is Best for Joint Pain?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to joint pain relief. Instead, the best strategy often involves a multi-pronged approach that incorporates a variety of modalities. In addition to acupuncture, people may benefit from low-impact exercise, such as swimming or yoga, along with physical therapy and stretching routines. Supportive tools like Juvent’s Micro-Impact Platform® provide a gentle frequency to the body and may be beneficial in improving comfort. Tools like the Micro-Impact Platform have the convenience of being used at home and are much less expensive compared to ongoing acupuncture appointments. A well-balanced diet with anti-inflammatory foods should be considered, too, since combining approaches may yield the largest benefits. 

Approach Your Joint Pain With Confidence

While acupuncture may be a beneficial tool for some, joint pain relief is best supported through a combination of strategies. Exploring different approaches like acupuncture, exercise, and Juvent’s Micro-Impact Platform may be your best bet to help maintain mobility and comfort. Minimize your discomfort and embrace every opportunity to live to the fullest.

FDA Disclosure

In the US, the Juvent device is considered investigational for the treatment of osteoporosis or improvement/maintenance of bone mineral density and our claims have not been reviewed or cleared by the FDA to treat any disease or condition. (2) Calculated over the 20+ year expected life of a Juvent. The JUVENT® Micro-Impact Platform® is Registered as a Class I medical device for exercise and rehabilitation. JUVENT products are covered by the following issued patents, pending patents and their foreign equivalents: 6,843,776 6,884,2277,094211 7,207,954 7,207,955 7,985,191 8,114,036 11/369,611 11/486,538. Juvent, Dynamic Motion Therapy, Micro-Impact Platform, and the symbol are Registered trademarks of Regenerative Technologies Corporation.