Acupuncture for Arthritis Relief in Metairie, LA

Big Easy Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine

Does acupuncture help with arthritis?

Yes, acupuncture can relieve arthritis pain by releasing tight muscles, improving blood flow and oxygen to affected joints, reducing inflammation, and restoring mobility.

 

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a broad term referring to inflammation and/or degeneration of joints. Arthritis causes joint damage, pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.
There are many different types of arthritis.
Some of the most common include:

• Osteoarthritis: The cushioning between your bones (cartilage) wears down and is often part of the aging process
• Rheumatoid arthritis: Your immune system attacks your own joints and causes inflammation.
• Other types: gout, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile arthritis. 

Auto-immune arthritis types: Tends to have pain come and go when pain flares up 

Degenerative arthritis types: Tends to have pain worsen over time as the body goes through wear and tear

No matter the type, the result is similar – pain, stiffness, and loss of movement

 

Symptoms & Signs

Arthritis is a family of conditions with these most common arthritis symptoms and signs:

• Joint pain or tenderness
• Stiffness or reduced range of motion
• Swelling or warmth around joints (Inflammation)
• Muscular tightness or pain near joints
• Pain that is worse in the morning or after being still for too long

 

What is Happening Inside Your Joints?

Healthy joints normally have soft tissue and fluid to have your bones glide easily.

Arthritis changes local joints but also affects the surrounding tissues over time.

• The joint becomes irritated and inflamed
• Blood flow diminishes around the area
• Muscles tighten to protect the area. 
• Nerves in the area can become irritated or compressed, sending stronger pain signals to the brain.
• Movement in general becomes harder and more painful. 
• Immune system attacking joints and causing inflammation for some types

Who is at higher risk?

What factors increase risk of dealing with arthritis issues?

Arthritis often develops from a mix of joint stress, inflammation, systemic factors, and natural wear over time.

You are more likely to develop arthritis if you:

• • Are Older (Normal wear and tear over time)
  • Are Female (Some types are more common in women)
  • Carry Extra Weight or Obesity (Puts pressure on joints)
  • Repetitive Motions or heavy physical labor
  • Smoking (Reduces blood flow and healing)
  • Family History (Genetics)

 

When to See a Doctor or Acupuncturist

See your healthcare provider or acupuncturist if joint pain lasts more than a few weeks, feels swollen or warm, or limits your daily movement. 

Early treatment prevents long-term damage.

 

Diagnosis & Tests

Diagnosis of arthritis involves a combination of clinical exam, imaging, and sometimes lab tests. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to avoid joint destruction. 

• Physical exam: check joints for swelling, redness, warmth, range of motion, resistance strength, and pain.
• Imaging: X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, CT may be used to assess joint damage or rule out other causes.
• Laboratory/blood tests: especially when autoimmune arthritis is suspected (eg rheumatoid arthritis). Checking for markers like ESR, CRP, rheumatoid factor.

How Acupuncture and Dry Needling Helps Arthritis

Acupuncture uses thin, sterile needles to help your body heal itself.

It improves blood and oxygen flow to the joints, calms the nervous system, and releases natural pain-relief chemicals.

Regular treatments can help reduce pain, ease swelling, and keep muscles relaxed so your joints move better.

Acupuncture leads to:

• Reduced pain and inflammation
• Improved blood and oxygen flow to joints
• Calmer nervous system so the pain signals quiet down
• Fewer flare ups
• Relaxed tight muscles that press on nerves and send signals of pain to the brain
• Support of joint movement, stability, and flexibility 
• Release of natural pain-relief chemicals in the brain
• Release of pain relieving and feel good chemicals that exist naturally to assist in pain reduction

What to Expect at Big Easy Acupuncture

Initial Visit:

• Starting pain map sheet to track original pain levels and areas affected
• Discussion of your health history, underlying conditions, and goals
• Mobility and strength testing to understand the initial range of motion, strength, and pain affecting certain muscle movement

Initial and Follow-Up Visits include a combination of the following: 

• • Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Acupuncture for pain, movement, and strength testing
  • Electro-acupuncture / Acupuncture for nerve and circulation support
  • Manual therapy to loosen tight muscles
  • Exercises / Lifestyle Advice for helping reduce inflammation from lifestyle choices
  • Herbal medicine when needed for support between visits or as a standalone treatment

 

How Many Visits will you need? 

Most patients feel improvement in their recovery within 4–6 treatments.
Chronic arthritis (that’s been around for years) often takes a few months for long-term change with maintenance suggested to support the aging process.
You may start with 1–2 visits per week, then spread out as your body improves.

Regular sessions help maintain these results. Most people notice significant improvement after the first few visits with results improving past that for recovery and maintenance. 

 

Post Treatment

You may feel mild soreness—similar to a light workout—but this fades within a day or two.
Most patients report:

• Less pain
• Easier movement
• Better strength
• Fewer flare-ups

 

Lifestyle tips for managing arthritis

To keep joints healthy between treatments:

• Stay active with gentle movement like walking, stretching, or swimming.
• Use heat for stiffness and ice for swelling.
• Keep a healthy weight to reduce joint pressure.
• Manage stress and get enough sleep to calm inflammation.
• Follow your doctor’s plan and use acupuncture as part of your total care.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Acupuncture Safe? 

Yes! Acupuncture is very safe when performed by a licensed acupuncturist. Side effects are rare and usually mild—such as small bruises or slight soreness. There’s no downtime, and most people return to normal activity right after their session.

Will I still need my arthritis medicine?
Yes. Acupuncture works best as part of your full care plan. You can use it safely along with your prescribed medicine for combined best effectiveness. 

How soon will I feel the results?
Some people notice change after the first visit. Most feel clear improvement within a few weeks.

Can acupuncture reduce swelling?
Yes. By improving circulation and calming the nervous system, acupuncture can help joints feel less swollen and stiff.

Is it safe for older adults?
Absolutely. Acupuncture is gentle, safe, and a great option for people who can’t take certain pain medicines.

 

Why Patients Choose Big Easy Acupuncture

At Big Easy Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine, we take a hands-on approach that looks at your whole body — not just the sore joint.
We blend:

• Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Acupuncture
• Manual therapy / Bodywork to ease tight muscles
• Electro-acupuncture for nerve and circulation support
• Custom herbal medicine when needed

Our mission is simple:

👉 Feel Right. Move Free. Live Easy.

We treat the root cause, not just the symptoms, so you can enjoy life with less pain and more freedom of movement.

Serving patients in Metairie, New Orleans, and surrounding Louisiana communities.

Discover how acupuncture can help relieve arthritis pain naturally.

 

General Arthritis Information

1. Cleveland Clinic. Arthritis: Causes, Symptoms, Types, and Treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12061-arthritis
2. Mayo Clinic. Arthritis: Symptoms and Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/in-depth/arthritis/art-20046440
3. Mayo Clinic. Arthritis Diagnosis & Treatment. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350777
4. National Health Service (NHS). Rheumatoid Arthritis – Treatment. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/treatment/

Acupuncture and Arthritis Research
5. Lu W, et al. Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pain Medicine. 2022;23(6):1068–1080. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35496051
6. Zhang R, et al. Effect of acupuncture on pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review. Pain Medicine. 2024;25(3):541–553.
7. Zhou W, et al. The role of acupuncture in regulating inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Frontiers in Immunology. 2022;13:829409. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.829409/full
8. Liu C, et al. Acupuncture combined with standard therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2020;2020:1–12.

According to Chinese medical theory, the symptoms and signs that indicate a Western diagnosis of allergies relate to imbalances in the meridian and Organ Systems of the body. These imbalances may stem from a variety of causes, including stress, poor diet, constitutional weakness, pollutants and environmental toxins.

Over time, if imbalances remain within the body, they will affect the functions of the Organ Systems. Some of these Organ Systems are involved in the production of Wei Qi (pronounced “way chee”). According to the theories of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, it is important to have
the correct quality and quantity of Wei Qi circulating around the body in order to stay healthy.

What is Wei Qi?

The Chinese concept of Wei Qi is similar to the Western concept of the immune system. Wei Qi functions to protect and defend the body against foreign substances, that if not caught can lead to allergies. When Wei Qi is strong and abundant, we remain healthy. When the supply of Wei Qi becomes deficient, health is compromised and we become vulnerable to foreign invaders such as dust, mold, animal dander, bacteria, viruses and pollen. People who have a Wei Qi deficiency are prone to allergies and frequent colds.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine support and strengthen the systems of the body that are involved in the production of Wei Qi. By building up the supply of Wei Qi, and facilitating the smooth and free flow of it through the body, symptoms and signs related to allergies could be greatly reduced or eliminated.

What will an acupuncturist do?

An acupuncturist will conduct a thorough exam, taking a complete health history. They will then develop a unique treatment plan that will address your specific concerns. The goals of the treatment plan will be to eliminate visible symptoms and signs, while addressing the root cause(s) and underlying imbalances affecting the quality and quantity of Wei Qi.

Acupuncture treatments may be combined with herbs, dietary changes, massage (tuina), or exercise. These therapies accelerate the healing process in order to balance, build, and support the body’s Wei Qi.

Seasonal allergy tips:

1. Flush your nose with a Neti pot.
2. Add spicy foods and omega-3’s to your diet.
3. Keep your windows closed during allergy season to prevent dust and pollen from entering.
4. Put on a dust mask when you are doing yard or house work.
5. Do not hang your clothes out to dry in the sun, as they
   will gather dust, mold and pollen.
6. Come in for an acupuncture tune-up.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are a drug-free, safe, natural and effective way to eliminate hay fever, allergies or the common cold.