Pain & tension
Acupuncture for muscle and joint complaints
Stiff joints, overloaded tendons, or persistent muscle aches can make every movement uncomfortable. Acupuncture focuses on reducing local inflammatory responses, promoting circulation, and restoring your natural freedom of movement.
Specific Indications
Complaints within this category
Explore specific symptoms and conditions treated in the clinic:
Frozen shoulder
→A stiff, painful shoulder where lifting and rotating become increasingly difficult.
Knee complaints
→Pain or stiffness when climbing stairs, squatting, or after sitting for long periods.
Osteoarthritis & joint complaints
→Stiff, achy joints, especially after rest or when getting started.
Tennis elbow & golfer’s arm
→Pain on the inside or outside of the elbow when lifting, gripping, or performing repetitive movements.
RSI & carpal tunnel syndrome
→Pain, tingling, or weakness in the neck, arm, wrist, or hand from repetitive strain.
Tendon complaints & sports injuries
→Overloaded tendons, such as heel spur or the Achilles tendon, and injuries from sport.
Sciatica & herniated disc
→Radiating pain from the lower back or buttock into the leg, often with tingling or numbness.
Recognition and physical strain
Muscle and joint complaints often manifest as stiffness upon waking (morning stiffness), a dull ache after exertion, or sharp pain during specific movements. This can result from overload, wear and tear (osteoarthritis), sports injuries, or repetitive strain (like RSI or tennis elbow).
When a joint or tendon hurts, we often unconsciously compensate. This causes additional tension in the surrounding muscles, spreading the discomfort. Our treatment therefore targets the entire movement pattern surrounding the core issue.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
TCM perspective on muscles and joints
In TCM, joint and muscle complaints are often viewed as a stagnation of Qi and Blood in the meridians (known as Bi-syndrome). This can be exacerbated by external factors:
Cold and Dampness
Pain that worsens in cold and damp weather. The joints feel stiff, heavy, and achy. Warmth and gentle movement often provide relief.
Heat and Inflammation
The joint is red, swollen, and feels warm to the touch (as seen in active inflammation or acute overload). Cooling the area relieves the pain.
Qi and Blood Stagnation
Sharp, localized pain, often arising after trauma (like a sprain or fall) or due to chronic overload.
What to expect during treatment?
The treatment is tailored to your specific complaint and the degree of inflammation or stiffness:
- 01Local and distal (remote) placement of fine acupuncture needles to stimulate blood flow within the joint or tendon.
- 02When cold and stiffness play a role, we frequently use moxa (heat therapy) to deeply warm the tissue.
- 03For tight muscles surrounding the joint, cupping may be applied to release the fascia (connective tissue).
- 04Advice on finding the right balance between rest and responsible movement.
Prefer no needles?
Every treatment can also be carried out completely needle-free with laser acupuncture, in which the same points are treated with therapeutic laser light. Ear acupuncture is always carried out with the laser. Acupressure, which also uses no needles, can be used as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can acupuncture help with osteoarthritis (wear and tear)?
Acupuncture cannot regenerate worn cartilage. However, it is highly effective at reducing pain, curbing local inflammation, and relaxing the muscles surrounding the joint. This often allows the joint to move more smoothly and with significantly less discomfort.
Is acupuncture painful on an already sensitive tendon?
No. When a tendon is inflamed or highly sensitive, we often avoid needling the painful spot directly. Instead, we use specific distal acupuncture points (along the same meridian) to relieve tension in the area.
Related
Related complaints & patterns
Personal Treatment Plan
Want to move more freely?
Contact us to discuss how acupuncture can assist with your muscle or joint complaints.