Joint and muscle pain can present as aching, stiffness, swelling, tightness, reduced movement, or discomfort that is aggravated by activity, weather, stress, or posture. From a Western medicine perspective, joint and muscle pain may be associated with inflammation, muscle strain, overuse, arthritis, tendon irritation, injury, postural loading, or nervous system sensitivity.

Affects on daily life

Joint pain can affect your sleep, mood, work, and ability to stay active - whether it’s in the knees, hips, shoulders, hands, neck, or feet. In Western medicine, joint pain is commonly linked to conditions such as osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear), inflammatory arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis), gout, tendon or ligament strain, bursitis, and referred pain from the spine or surrounding muscles.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, pain is assessed according to the location, quality, temperature, swelling, movement restriction, and the person's overall pattern. Common Chinese medicine patterns may include Qi and Blood stagnation, Cold-Damp obstruction, Damp-Heat, Blood stasis, or deficiency of the Liver and Kidney affecting the sinews, bones, and joints.

Acupuncture can support pain management by helping to regulate the nervous system, ease muscle guarding, support local circulation, and assist mobility. Research shows acupuncture has evidence for several chronic pain presentations, including back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, headache, and shoulder pain, although treatment response varies from person to person.

At TCM Acupuncture & Herbalism Adelaide, care is individualised. A treatment plan may include acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, Chinese herbal medicine where appropriate, and lifestyle guidance.