Arthritis is a common condition that affects the joints in the body. In most cases, it causes inflammation and pain. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the main symptoms of the condition include joint pain and stiffness, which can worsen with age. Luckily, there are various treatment methods for arthritis, and acupuncture is one of the most popular methods to relieve arthritis pain and other symptoms.

What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a widespread technique within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and involves inserting very fine needles into the skin or muscle at specific acupuncture points in the body.

Some evidence suggests that acupuncture can help ease the symptoms of arthritis and improve the patient’s quality of life. According to practitioners and experts, a blockage in the flow of qi results in illness. Hence, they use acupuncture body charts and needles to stimulate more than 2000 important acupuncture points and restore qi. This helps alleviate symptoms of the condition. Furthermore, acupuncture practitioners have used the method to treat various problems; these include neck pain, lower back pain, knee pain, headaches, dental pain, and even post-surgery pain.

How does acupuncture work?
While acupuncture practitioners recognize bodily energies such as qi and meridians, Western culture has its hypothesis and conclusions on the workings of acupuncture.

One of the most popular explanations of acupuncture is that inserting needles into the skin at different points in the body may signal the brain to release endorphins to relieve the pain. Furthermore, acupuncture can also provide health benefits such as stimulation of blood flow, regulation of the immune system, muscle tone relaxation, and stimulation of the production of cortisol to counter inflammation. Moreover, acupuncture is also an effective treatment method for treating peripheral neuropathy.

How does acupuncture affect arthritis?
Usually, acupuncture practitioners tailor the treatment to the patient’s condition and needs. However, a systematic review done in 2018 concluded that acupuncture alone or in combination with other treatment methods is beneficial for managing rheumatoid arthritis. Further, it also stated that acupuncture could improve the function and quality of life of arthritis patients. Moreover, another 2022 systematic study investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture and acupuncture-related treatments (ACNRT) in managing rheumatoid arthritis. This study concluded that the people who received other treatment methods in combination with ACNRT showed improvements in the following :

• Disease activity
• Swollen and tender joints
• Self-reported pain
• Inflammatory markers in the blood

What are the benefits of acupuncture for arthritis?
Many people who have undergone acupuncture to relieve arthritis symptoms have reported improved quality of life. Moreover, according to Arthritis Foundation, acupuncture aids pain relief by stimulating the release of endorphins and oxytocin. Some of the other benefits of acupuncture for arthritis include the following:

Less pain
As acupuncture needles are inserted in different vital points in the body, one may notice a gradual improvement in health and a reduction in pain. Moreover, inserting needles into the identified pressure points helps release endorphins that help with relaxation and relieve unbearable pain.

Improved hand and arm strength
Various studies have shown that acupuncture may be safe and effective for short-term reduction in pain. Furthermore, it has also been noticed that acupuncture treatment also aids in functional improvement in the hands and wrist.

Better overall health
As mentioned above, acupuncture does not only aid in pain reduction but also improves immunity and lowers the level of inflammation in the body. In return, this helps maintain overall health and helps the body fight against illnesses and bacteria. Moreover, the stimulation of blood flow also helps all the body parts to receive the needed nutrients for their function and growth.

Improved quality of life
Most arthritis patients report pain and decreased mobility, severely affecting their ability to carry on daily activities. This plays a negative role in their quality of life. However, treatment alternatives, such as acupuncture, help the patients regain their lost mobility and even reduce the pain, thus improving their quality of life.

What is the cost of acupuncture as a treatment method?
On average most acupuncture sessions may last anywhere between 30 to 90 minutes per session. Moreover, during the treatment, the acupuncture needles are usually left in for a period of 10 – 30 minutes, giving the body time to relax. Furthermore, according to national studies and observations, the average cost for an acupuncture session may fall between $70 – $150. However, the initial consultation fee is charged separately, ranging from $100 to $300. Additionally, the charges per session may also differ from one state to another as these costs heavily depend on the patient’s location.
Hence, an acupuncture session in large cities may be more expensive when compared to the costs in rural and less populated areas.
In addition to the above, the prices for specific ailments may also differ according to the severity of the condition and the treatment plan devised by the acupuncture practitioner.