Joint pain is a common affliction that affects people of all ages and can significantly impair one’s quality of life. Whether it’s caused by arthritis, injuries, or simply the wear and tear of daily activities, joint pain can be debilitating. In a dynamic city like Tokyo, where people are always on the move, managing joint discomfort is essential for maintaining an active lifestyle. Acupuncture, a time-tested therapy rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, has emerged as an effective alternative treatment for relieving joint pain. With its growing popularity in Tokyo, acupuncture offers a holistic approach to pain relief, targeting the root causes of discomfort and providing long-term benefits. In this article, we explore how acupuncture can help alleviate joint pain and why it is becoming an increasingly sought-after solution for those suffering in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo.
About joint pain
Joint pain can be felt in the joints throughout your body. It may be a symptom of many different health conditions. Arthritis is the most common cause of joint pain. There are more than 100 kinds of arthritis. Joint pain may range from mild to severe. Treatments vary from simple at-home care to surgery, depending on your condition.
What is joint pain?
Joint pain is discomfort that affects one or more joints in your body. A joint is where the ends of two or more of your bones come together. For example, your hip joint is where your thigh bone meets your pelvis.
Joint discomfort is common and usually felt in your hands, feet, hips, knees or spine. Pain in your joints may be constant, or it can come and go. Sometimes, your joints can feel stiff, achy or sore. Some people complain of a burning, throbbing or “grating” sensation. In addition, your joints may feel stiff in the morning but loosen up and feel better with movement and activity. However, too much activity could make your pain worse.
Joint pain may affect the function of your joints and can limit your ability to do basic tasks. Severe, painful joints can interfere with your quality of life. Treatment should focus not only on pain but on getting back to daily activities and living your life to the fullest.
Possible Causes
What causes joint pain?
The most common causes of joint pain include:
- Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis, a common type of arthritis, happens over time when your cartilage — the protective cushion between your bones — wears away. Your joints become painful and stiff. Osteoarthritis develops slowly and usually occurs after age 45.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): RA is a chronic disease that causes swelling and pain in your joints. Often, your joints deform (usually occurring in your fingers and wrists).
- Gout: Gout is a painful condition where acidic crystals from your body collect in your joint, causing severe pain and swelling. This usually occurs in your big toe.
- Bursitis: Overuse causes bursitis. It’s usually found in your hip, knee, elbow or shoulder.
- Tendinitis: Tendinitis is inflammation of your tendons — the flexible bands that connect bone and muscle. It’s typically seen in your elbow, heel or shoulder. Overuse often causes it.
In addition, viral infections, rash or fever may make joint movement painful. Injuries, such as broken bones or sprains, can also cause joint pain.
What are the risk factors for joint pain?
Joint pain tends to affect people who have:
- Arthritis or other long-term (chronic) medical conditions.
- Previous injuries to a joint.
- Repeatedly used and/or overused a muscle.
- Depression, anxiety and/or stress.
- Overweight (having a BMI, or body mass index, greater than 25) or obesity (having a BMI greater than 30).
Age is also a factor in stiff and painful joints. After years of use and wear and tear on your joints, problems may arise after age 45.
What symptoms of joint pain are cause for concern?
Symptoms of joint pain range from mild to disabling. Without cartilage, bones rub directly against each other as your joint moves. Symptoms can include:
- Swelling.
- Stiff or enlarged joint.
- Numbness.
- Noisy joints, or clicking, grinding or snapping sounds when moving your joint.
- Painful movement.
- Difficulty bending or straightening your joint.
- Loss of motion.
- A hot and swollen joint. (This needs immediate evaluation.)
Care and Treatment
What is the treatment for joint pain?
Although there may not be a cure for joint pain, there are ways to manage it. Sometimes, the pain may go away by taking over-the-counter (OTC) medication or by performing simple daily exercises. Other times, the pain may be signaling problems that can only be corrected with prescription medication or surgery.
Joint pain treatment includes:
- Simple at-home remedies: Your healthcare provider may recommend applying a heating pad or ice onto the affected area for short periods, several times a day. Soaking in a warm bathtub may also offer relief.
- Exercise: Exercise can help get back strength and function. Walking, swimming or another low-impact aerobic exercise is best. People who participate in strenuous workouts or sports activities may need to scale it back or begin a low-impact workout routine. Gentle stretching exercises will also help. Check with your provider before beginning or continuing any exercise program.
- Weight loss: Your provider may suggest losing weight, if needed, to lessen the strain on your joints.
- Medication: Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help ease your pain. Both medicines are available over the counter, but stronger doses may need a prescription. If you have a history of stomach ulcers, kidney disease or liver disease, check with your provider to see if this is a good option for you.
- Topical treatments: Your provider may recommend topical treatments like ointments or gels that you can rub into your skin over the affected joint area to help ease pain. You may find some of these over the counter, or your provider may write a prescription.
- Dietary supplements: Dietary supplements like glucosamine may help relieve pain. Ask your provider before taking any over-the-counter supplements.
- If those medications or treatments don’t ease your pain, your healthcare provider may prescribe:
- Supportive aids — such as a brace, a cane or an orthotic device in your shoe — to help support your joint and allow ease of movement.
- Physical or occupational therapy, along with a balanced fitness program, to gradually help ease pain and improve flexibility.
- Antidepressants to help improve sleep.
- Steroids, often given by injection into your joint, to provide short-term relief of pain and swelling.
- Pain relievers to help ease pain.
It’s important to remember that medicine, even those available over the counter, affects people differently. What helps one person may not work for another. Be sure to follow your provider’s directions carefully when taking any medicine and tell them if you have any side effects.
Acupuncture for Joint pain in Tokyo
Acupuncture for Joint Pain Relief
Acupuncture is an alternative medicine practice in which small, thin needles go into the skin at different points on the body.
Traditional Oriental medicine holds that acupuncture works by balancing your body’s flow of energy. Many experts in Western medicine say that the procedure stimulates your nerves, tissues, and muscles.
It’s hard for scientists to study acupuncture’s effects, but some researchers think it may make your body release natural painkillers.
If you have a condition that causes painful joints, you may have thought about trying acupuncture. Here’s what you need to know first.
Acupuncture for Osteoarthritis
This is the most common type of arthritis. It usually begins in your 50s. It can affect any joint, but most people feel it in the knees, hips, hands, lower back, and neck.
Does acupuncture help joint pain from osteoarthritis? It’s hard to study using the strict standards scientists prefer. So far, research has shown mixed results. But the American College of Rheumatology, a group for doctors who specialize in arthritis, approves acupuncture for treatment of hand, knee, and hip pain. The evidence is strongest that it can help with knees.
Acupuncture for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
When you have this type of arthritis, your immune system overreacts and attacks the lining of your joints. Hands, knees, and ankles are the most common places for RA symptoms.
The evidence on acupuncture’s effects for people with RA suggests that it’s worth trying. Researchers say the procedure may improve everyday life with the condition and the way your joints work.
Acupuncture for Related Conditions
Scientists also have studied whether acupuncture can help people with rarer forms of arthritis and other conditions that cause joint pain. Here’s what they found:
- Fibromyalgia, a pain disorder, is sometimes confused with arthritis because it causes soreness all over the body. There’s not enough evidence to say acupuncture can help.
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that mainly affects the spine, although other joints can hurt, too. So far, studies can’t say for sure that acupuncture helps people with this condition.
- Lupus is not a type of arthritis, but arthritis is one of its symptoms. More study is needed before researchers can say for sure whether acupuncture helps.
- Gout, a type of arthritis, usually affects the big toes, but it can cause pain in your ankles, knees, and feet. Scientists think that acupuncture might help ease pain from gout, but more research is needed to know for sure.
What happens when you have acupuncture?
You’ll have a first appointment to go over your condition. The acupuncturist should tell you how many treatments you’ll need. Six to eight sessions is typical.
At each session, the acupuncturist will put very thin needles into various places in your skin. Most people say they feel little pain, though it’s common to feel pressure or a slight ache once the needles are in. The acupuncturist might apply heat or electrical current to the needles, or gently move them.
The needles stay in for 10 to 20 minutes. During that time, you lie still. Then the acupuncturist takes them out. Removal doesn’t hurt.
What are the risks?
The chances that acupuncture will harm you are very low. That’s one of the reasons doctors say it’s OK to try it even though there’s sometimes limited proof that it helps arthritis.
Make sure your practitioner uses new, sterile needles for each client, so there’s a lower chance of infection. Some people bruise or feel sore later at the spot where the needles went in.
Some people should be more cautious before they get acupuncture. Ask your doctor about it if you:
- Are pregnant
- Take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder
- Have a pacemaker
The biggest drawback may be financial. Your insurance may not cover the cost.
If you want to try it
Talk to your doctor first. They can review all of your conditions to make sure acupuncture is a good idea for you.
To find an acupuncturist, look for national acupuncture organizations, which may have a list of providers for your area. Most states require some type of license. Make sure you choose someone who has valid credentials.
Endnote
In a city where movement is constant and joint pain is a prevalent concern, acupuncture offers a natural, effective approach to pain management. By targeting key points in the body, acupuncture not only relieves the symptoms of joint pain but also addresses underlying issues, promoting overall health and well-being. As its popularity continues to grow in Tokyo, many people are finding relief and improving their quality of life through this ancient practice. If you’re struggling with joint pain, acupuncture may provide the answer you’ve been looking for, offering a safe and holistic treatment option in the heart of one of the world’s most vibrant cities.
At Fuji Wellness, we offer a compassionate, holistic approach to joint pain relief, combining the healing power of acupuncture with personalized care. Our experienced practitioners work with you to understand the root causes of your discomfort and tailor each treatment to your specific needs. By restoring balance and improving circulation, acupuncture can help you regain mobility, reduce pain, and enhance your overall well-being. Don’t let joint pain limit your potential—experience the rejuvenating benefits of acupuncture at Fuji Wellness and step into a pain-free future. Let us guide you toward comfort, vitality, and a life free from joint pain.
Fuji Wellness:
- Address: 132-0031 Matsushima 1-chome, 21-14, Tokyo, Japan
- Contact: Click here
- Email: sunnyphamsensei@gmail.com
