Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions worldwide.
It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time, leading to pain, inflammation, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
While it can affect any joint, it most commonly impacts the knees, hips, hands, and spine.
Osteoarthritis develops due to a combination of factors, including:
Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain and promote healing. For osteoarthritis, acupuncture is increasingly recognized as a complementary treatment to manage symptoms.
Research suggests acupuncture can be effective for osteoarthritis, particularly for knee and hip OA.
Studies, such as those published in the Journal of Rheumatology, indicate that acupuncture may reduce pain and improve function compared to no treatment. However, results vary, and more research is needed.
Acupuncture sessions typically last 30–60 minutes. A licensed acupuncturist will:
Most people require multiple sessions (e.g., weekly for 6–8 weeks) to notice significant benefits.
When performed by a trained, licensed practitioner, acupuncture is generally safe.
Side effects are rare but may include mild soreness, bruising, or temporary dizziness. Ensure your acupuncturist uses sterile needles and follows proper hygiene protocols.
Consult a healthcare provider if you experience:
Your doctor can confirm an osteoarthritis diagnosis and recommend a comprehensive treatment plan, including acupuncture if appropriate.
Acupuncture offers a promising complementary approach to managing osteoarthritis symptoms, particularly for pain relief and improved mobility.
It can be a valuable and cost effective part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
To consult a licensed acupuncturist to determine if acupuncture is right for you call Allied Acupuncture Gold Coast on 07 5522 1691 or book online at www.alliedacupuncture.com.au/book-online
Acupuncture treatment resulted in significant reductions in pain intensity, improvement in functional mobility and quality of life according to a 2014 systematic review and meta-analysis (53).
Acupuncture has also been found to be a cost effective treatment option for osteoarthritis sufferers (76).
Knee osteoarthritis pain was not reviewed in the Australian DVA review (2010) and rated as ‘evidence of potential positive effect’ in the USVA Evidence map of acupuncture (2014) (5, 6).
In a network meta-analysis comparing 22 interventions in 152 studies, acupuncture was found to be equal to balneotherapy and superior to sham acupuncture, muscle-strengthening exercise, Tai Chi, weight loss, standard care and aerobic exercise (in ranked order) (52).
Acupuncture was also superior to standard care and muscle-strengthening exercises in a sub-analysis of moderate to high quality studies (52).
In a systematic review of 12 randomised controlled trials, acupuncture was found to significantly reduce pain intensity, to improve functional mobility and quality of life (53).
Subgroup analysis showed greater reduction in pain intensity when treatment lasted for more than four weeks (53). The reviewers concluded that ‘current evidence supports the use of acupuncture as an alternative for traditional analgesics in patients with osteoarthritis’ (53).
For post-operative pain, acupuncture was not reviewed in the Australian DVA review (2010) and was rated as ‘unclear’ in the USVA Evidence map of acupuncture 2014 (5, 6).
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 RCTs in 2016, found that acupuncture, electroacupuncture (EA) and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) improved pain on day one after surgery and reduced opioid use (17). Subgroup analysis showed that acupuncture and TEAS were superior to EA (17).
Allied Acupuncture Gold Coast Address
7a/2 Executive Drive, Burleigh Waters QLD 4220
0755221691
Allied Acupuncture Gold Coast is located near Treetops Shopping Plaza, 5 minutes from the M1, just off Bermuda Street.
It is your local clinic for Varsity Lakes, Reedy Creek, Bonogin and Burleigh Waters.
Commute to work? Get a treatment on the way home while the traffic dies down.
5. Biotext. Alternative therapies and Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold and White Card arrangements. In: Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs, editor: Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs; 2010.
6. Hempel S, Taylor SL, Solloway MR, Miake-Lye IM, Beroes JM, Shanman R, et al. VA Evidence-based Synthesis Program Reports. Evidence Map of Acupuncture. Washington (DC): Department of Veterans Affairs; 2014.
17. Wu MS, Chen KH, Chen IF, Huang SK, Tzeng PC, Yeh ML, et al. The Efficacy of Acupuncture in Post-Operative Pain Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE. 2016;11(3):e0150367.
52. Corbett MS, Rice SJ, Madurasinghe V, Slack R, Fayter DA, Harden M, et al. Acupuncture and other physical treatments for the relief of pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee: network meta-analysis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2013 Sep;21(9):1290-8.
53. Manyanga T, Froese M, Zarychanski R, Abou-Setta A, Friesen C, Tennenhouse M, et al. Pain management with acupuncture in osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014;14:312.
76. Kim SY, Lee H, Chae Y, Park HJ, Lee H. A systematic review of cost-effectiveness analyses alongside randomised controlled trials of acupuncture. Acupunct Med. 2012 Dec;30(4):273-85.
We are located near Treetops Shopping Plaza, just off Bermuda Street and 5 minutes from the M1. Commute to work? Get a treatment on the way home while the traffic dies down.
I’m here to help you achieve your health goals so you can start feeling like yourself again.
