Understanding and Treating Joint Pain Through Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
Joint pain is one of the most common issues patients report to their healthcare providers and eventually seek out acupuncture and TCM for. In Western medicine, it’s often approached as a mechanical or inflammatory issue, diagnosed as arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, or just “joint inflammation.” Treatment typically focuses on symptom management, using painkillers, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, or, in some severe cases, surgery. While this Western approach can help alleviate discomfort and pain, it often falls short of addressing the underlying, root cause of the pain which is typically holistic. Traditional Chinese Medicine trained Acupuncturists (Licensed Acupuncturists) are experts in the holistic assessment and treatment of joint pain.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic perspective and approach to assessing and treating joint pain. Instead of labeling joint pain as one problem, TCM views it as a result of specific imbalances in the body’s energy (Qi), blood, and organ systems. These imbalances may be caused by external influences such as cold, dampness, or wind; internal deficiencies within the organ systems or meridians, or blockages from past injuries. This means that two people with the same diagnosis of “joint pain” in Western medicine might have a completely different diagnosis in TCM; therefore, an entirely different treatment will be employed, including acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, and/or herbal supplements. specific to the person’s unique presentation and health history. By identifying the root cause and imbalances, TCM focuses on not just relieving the pain but also restoring long-term balance and function.
Acupuncture and TCM are used to treat many types of joint pain, including:
Arthritis & osteoarthritis (knees, hips, hands, spine)
Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune-related joint pain
Sports injuries or repetitive strain
Chronic pain post-injury
Back and neck joint issues (facet joint pain, spondylosis)
Shoulder pain & frozen shoulder
Hip and knee degeneration
Pain worsened by cold, damp, or weather changes
We see these cases the most often. For chronic cases where other triggers, such as wind, damp or cold are a trigger in their pain, herbal supplements are highly beneficial.
How Acupuncture Works for Joint Pain
From the TCM perspective, pain is caused by blocked Qi and blood movement. This blockage can be caused by external factors such as wind, cold, damp, internal deficiencies, or trauma.
Acupuncture works by:
Restoring the flow of Qi and blood to the affected area, reducing pain and stiffness
Balancing the body’s systems so the root cause is addressed, not just the symptom
Reducing inflammation by modulating the immune and nervous system
Supporting the healing of joints, tendons, and surrounding tissues.
Preventing flare-ups by strengthening the body’s resilience against cold, damp, and other irritating factors
Joint pain may feel the same from day to day, but in TCM, the reason behind the pain is unique to your body. By identifying the specific pattern in your body, whether it's caused by cold, dampness, deficiency, or stagnation, acupuncture can target the root imbalance, restore circulation, and support long-term joint health. Some patients can have multiple overlapping diagnoses depending on how chronic their symptoms are and their health history. Lifestyle recommendations may also be added alongside treatment. For best results, you may have to commit to weekly sessions for 6 - 12 months. Some cases of acute joint pain due to injury may only require 1-3 sessions.
Common Causes of Joint Pain According to TCM
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), joint pain is not viewed as a single condition, but as a manifestation of deeper imbalances in the body. These imbalances disrupt the smooth flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
TCM categorizes joint pain under the concept of "Bi Syndrome", which roughly translates to “obstruction syndrome.”
Common causes include:
External Invasion of Wind, Cold, Damp, or Heat
TCM believes that external pathogenic factors like wind, cold, dampness, and heat can penetrate the body and lodge in the joints, especially when the body's defenses (Wei Qi) are weakened.
Wind causes moving pain that shifts from joint to joint.
Cold leads to tightness and severe, fixed pain relieved by warmth.
Dampness causes swelling, a heavy sensation, and pain that worsens in humid weather.
Heat brings inflammation, redness, and burning sensations in the joints.
These external factors often combine (e.g., Wind-Cold-Damp) and can settle in the joints after exposure to harsh weather, overexertion, or after recovering from illness when the immune system is weak.
Deficiency of Liver and Kidney Yin
In TCM, the Liver governs tendons, and the Kidneys govern bones. As we age, or due to chronic illness or overwork, Yin energy can become depleted. This leads to poor nourishment of the joints and connective tissues, resulting in weakness, stiffness, and dull, chronic pain. This type of joint pain is often associated with aging or long-term wear and tear.
Qi and Blood Stagnation
Injuries, trauma, or chronic tension can lead to the stagnation of Qi and Blood. When circulation is impaired, the body cannot heal properly, and pain becomes fixed, sharp, or stabbing. This type of pain is common after sports injuries, falls, or surgeries.
Internal Dampness and Phlegm Accumulation
Dysfunction in the Spleen (which in TCM helps transform and transport fluids) can lead to the accumulation of dampness and phlegm, which may settle into the joints. This causes swelling, heaviness, and limited range of motion. It’s often linked to poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, or sluggish digestion as well.
Weak Wei Qi (Defensive Energy)
Wei Qi is the body's protective energy that guards against external pathogens. If it's weak—due to stress, lack of rest, poor nutrition, or chronic illness—the body becomes more vulnerable to external invasions like Wind, Cold, or Damp. Strengthening Wei Qi is often part of long-term treatment and prevention. This cause also connects to the association between joint pain and recovering from an illness, such as long COVID, where we are no longer sick, but still have joint pain.
Common TCM Pattern Diagnoses for Joint Pain
The TCM diagnoses terms are very foreign to our ears. This is because they are based on the naming the imbalances causing the condition instead of the condition itself. This allows the treatment protocol to treat the root cause instead of just the symptoms. Treatments may involve local points to the area of pain, but also distal points aimed at balancing and harmonizing the entire meridian, channel, organ system, and more.
The following are common TCM diagnoses for joint pain:
Wind-Cold-Damp Bi Syndrome
Signs: Pain and stiffness in the joints that is worsened in cold or damp weather. Swelling, heaviness, or relief provided by warmth. Common conditions are arthritis and older, more stubborn injuries.
Acupuncture Focus: Expel wind (often causing pain that can come and go), warm the channels (helps to promote blood flow), and drain dampness (reliving the heavy sensation and inflammation) to restore free flow of Qi and blood. Moxibustion is often used during treatment and chinese herbal supplements may be recommended as well.
Wind-Heat-Bi Syndrome
Signs: Sudden pain with redness, swelling, warmth; pain that moves from joint to joint.
Acupuncture Focus: Clear heat from the body, reduce inflammation, expel wind from the body, and restore mobility. Cooling herbal formulas may also be added.
Liver & Kidney Yin Deficiency
Signs: Dull, constant aching in hips, knees, or back; weakness or stiffness in joints; feeling worse after exertion or heavy activity; possible dizziness or night sweats; common with older age.
Acupuncture Focus: Nourish yin, strengthen the Liver & Kidney systems, and restore bone and tendon health. Typically takes longer to treat and may need herbal intervention.
Qi & Blood Stagnation
Signs: Sharp, fixed, stabbing pain, often after injury; worse at night; may have bruising.
Acupuncture Focus: Move Qi and enhance blood circulation to speed up the healing process. Cupping or gua sha may be added during treatment. Typically responds quickly to treatment and heals well.
Phlegm-Damp Obstruction
Signs: Swollen, heavy joints with limited motion; sluggish digestion or weight gain; pain worse in damp weather; body feels heavy all over.
Acupuncture Focus: Transform phlegm, drain dampness, and open the channels to restore movement. Typically takes longer to treat and may need herbal intervention.
At Nu Wave Acupuncture, we don’t just treat symptoms, we treat you. Our personalized TCM and acupuncture treatments are designed to relieve pain, improve mobility, and strengthen your body so you can move freely. If you are ready to take the next step towards long-term relief, book your session today here and experience the difference of individualized care.
