Joint Pain Relief

Joints are prone to injury due to their structure and surrounding tissues.

Acupuncture has been proven effective in a number of studies for the treatment of joint pain. Joint pain can occur at any age, however, the causative factors of the specific pain are usually different. Younger adults are more susceptible to joint pain due to injury and older adults are more likely to have joint pain due to overuse and the processes associated with age.

The mobility of a joint allows for freedom and movement but the lack of structure creates weakness. The causative factors for pain may be different in East Asian medicine compared to Western medicine but the goals are the same – to decrease pain, improve mobility and improve quality of life.

We have extensive knowledge and skill in the treatment of shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle pain.

Whether from a sports injury or chronic disease, we fully assess and evaluate each individual injury and layout a treatment plan suited for you. The treatment may include acupuncture alone or the addition of East Asian massage or other modalities.

The treatment plan for joint pain depends on a number of factors. The first factor is what joint is affected and the type of injury. The second factor is whether the injury is acute or chronic. Acute joint pain associated with a sports injury requires a quick response and more frequent treatments.

Generally, we recommend 2-3 acupuncture visits a week for 1-2 weeks then a reassessment takes place. Chronic pain can take more time to improve so a more methodical course of care is needed. This generally means acupuncture once a week with reassessment after 4-6 weeks.

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  • Testimonials:

    “I recently injured my knee (walking became a big problem!) and went in for treatment. The office setting is very comfortable and Dr Kirkham immediately put me at ease with a thorough examination – he asked a lot of questions and offered a lot of explanation to help me understand what was going on.

    The treatment went very smoothly and by that evening the swelling has subsided substantially and I could hobble around again. (Although he recommended that I not hobble around, of course…)”

    - CG

    Resources:

    Long-term study shows the benefits of acupuncture for shoulder pain.

    The participants had treatment two times a week for eight weeks and then were asked to follow up after 6 months. After 6 months the acupuncture group had continued significant improvement compared to the control group. The researchers concluded that acupuncture is an effective long-term treatment for shoulder pain.

    View the Study »