TCM Joint Pain & Arthritis Treatment
Joint pain and arthritis don't have to limit your life. TCM offers natural relief by reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and strengthening the underlying constitution.
Common Joint Conditions
Knee Pain
Most common
Hip Pain
Deep aching
Shoulder
Limited motion
Wrist/Hand
Fine motor affected
Ankle/Foot
Mobility issues
Spine
Facet joints
Understanding Arthritis in TCM
TCM calls arthritis "Bi Syndrome" (痹症), meaning obstruction. External pathogenic factors — wind, cold, dampness, and heat — invade the body and block Qi and blood flow through the joints. The type of Bi determines the treatment approach:
Wind Bi (行痹)
Pain that moves from joint to joint. Responds well to acupuncture at Wind-expelling points.
Cold Bi (痛痹)
Severe pain in fixed location, worse with cold. Needs warming treatments like moxibustion.
Damp Bi (着痹)
Heavy, swollen joints with numbness. Herbal formulas to drain dampness are key.
Heat Bi (热痹)
Red, hot, swollen joints. Cooling herbs and acupuncture to clear heat.
How We Treat Joint Pain
Acupuncture: Local and distal points reduce inflammation, stimulate cartilage repair, and relieve pain. Research shows acupuncture can be as effective as NSAIDs for knee osteoarthritis.
Herbal Medicine: Formulas like Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang address both the symptoms and underlying deficiency. May include anti-inflammatory herbs like Boswellia and Turmeric.
Cupping & Tui Na: Improve local blood flow and reduce muscle tension around affected joints.
Expected Results
Most patients notice reduced pain and improved mobility within 4-6 sessions. Chronic arthritis may require ongoing maintenance sessions (monthly) to manage symptoms long-term.