Acupuncture for Arthritis Pain: What the Research Says & What to Expect in Towson, MD

Jean Donati

Oct 5

4 min read

Man holding his lower back with red area highlighting back pain and arthritis symptoms

Acupuncture for Arthritis Pain: What the Research Says & What to Expect in Towson, MD

If arthritis makes it harder to get moving in the morning, climb stairs, use your hands, exercise or simply do the things you enjoy, you're not alone.

Many people searching for acupuncture for arthritis in Towson, MD are looking for help managing joint pain, stiffness and difficulty staying active. Joint pain and stiffness are common reasons people come to my acupuncture practice in Towson, Maryland.

One question I frequently hear is:

Can acupuncture actually help arthritis pain?

The answer isn't that acupuncture cures arthritis or reverses joint damage. It doesn't. But research suggests that acupuncture may help some people manage osteoarthritis pain and improve function, making it one option to consider as part of a broader arthritis treatment plan.

What Is Arthritis?

“Arthritis” isn't one single condition. It's a broad term used for conditions involving the joints, and different types of arthritis have different causes and treatments.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form. It commonly affects the knees, hips, hands, neck and lower back and can cause pain, stiffness and difficulty moving.

Other forms, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, are inflammatory or autoimmune conditions and require appropriate medical management.

That's one reason I don't assume every aching joint is “just arthritis.” Joint pain can also come from muscles, tendons, ligaments, previous injuries and other conditions.

Can Acupuncture Help Osteoarthritis Pain?

Research suggests that acupuncture may help some people with osteoarthritis manage pain, particularly osteoarthritis of the knee.

Acupuncture is also included as a treatment option in clinical guidelines for osteoarthritis of the knee, hip and hand, although the strength of the evidence varies.

That distinction matters.

I don't tell patients that acupuncture can rebuild an arthritic joint or make arthritis disappear.

My goal is much more practical:

Can we decrease your pain, improve how you move and help you continue doing more of the things you want to do?

For many of my patients, that's what really matters.

How Is Acupuncture Used for Arthritis?

There isn't one standard “arthritis treatment” that I use for everyone.

Where your pain is located, how long you've had it, previous injuries, your activity level and what makes your symptoms better or worse all matter.

Acupuncture points may be selected around the painful area as well as elsewhere on the body.

Depending on what I find during your evaluation, I may also incorporate other techniques when appropriate, including electro-acupuncture, cupping, red light therapy or warm stone meridian therapy.

These are additional services I use as needed rather than automatically adding the same treatment to every patient.

Arthritis, Stiffness and Movement

When a joint hurts, it's natural to want to protect it by moving less. Unfortunately, too little movement can contribute to even more stiffness.

Regular physical activity is an important part of managing osteoarthritis. Walking, strengthening, range-of-motion exercises, aquatic exercise and other appropriately chosen activities can help maintain strength, flexibility and function.

The goal isn't necessarily to stop doing the activities you love.

Sometimes it's to find ways to help you keep doing them.

What About Heat and Cold?

Both can have a place in managing arthritis symptoms.

Heat may feel particularly good for stiff joints and tight muscles, while cold can be useful when a joint is painful or swollen.

And if you've ever said, “I can feel the weather changing in my joints,” you're certainly not the only one.

Many people with arthritis report changes in pain with changes in weather, although the research on exactly how weather affects arthritis symptoms is mixed.

What Should You Expect from Acupuncture for Arthritis?

I don't expect every patient—or every painful joint—to respond exactly the same way.

At your first visit, we'll talk about where you're hurting, how the pain affects your daily activities, previous injuries and treatments, and what you're hoping to get back to doing.

Then I'll develop an acupuncture treatment based on you rather than simply treating a diagnosis written on a piece of paper.

I schedule one patient at a time and never double-book, so your appointment time is focused on you.

Acupuncture for Arthritis and Joint Pain in Towson, MD

I'm Jean Donati, PA-C, M.Ac., L.Ac., and I've spent more than 34 years in healthcare.

At Jean Donati Acupuncture in Towson, I work with people experiencing arthritis, joint pain, back and neck pain, tendon and overuse problems, sports injuries and other musculoskeletal concerns.

Acupuncture doesn't replace appropriate medical care for arthritis. Instead, it can be considered as one part of a larger plan for managing pain, maintaining movement and helping you stay active.