“Yuanling never fails to substantially decrease whatever pain I’m facing whether it’s a fractured bone, stiff muscles or a sinus infection.”Christina, patient
Acupuncture for Arthritis and Nerve Pain in Norwood, MA Support for your joints, nerves, and recovery from injury
Stiff, aching joints, numbness and tingling, and injuries that are slow to heal can all limit the life you want to live. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help ease pain and support your body's own healing.
Understanding joint and nerve pain
When the river cannot reach the land
Meridians are like rivers flowing inside the body. Where a river flows, it brings life-giving water to the land. Where meridians flow, they bring Qi and blood to every cell, tissue, bone, and muscle, including the joints and nerves.
When that flow is blocked or runs low, the area is no longer nourished. Joints become stiff and painful. Nerves can feel numb, tingling, or burning. Injuries heal more slowly.
Chinese medicine calls joint pain Bi, which means obstruction. It is often linked to wind, cold, and damp entering the body. That is why many people's joints ache more on a cold, wet New England day.
What we treat
Joints, nerves, and injury recovery
Each of these can come from a different pattern. Yuanling looks at your whole health to find where the flow is blocked, and treats from there.
Arthritis
Stiff, aching joints in the knees, hips, hands, or shoulders, often worse in the morning or in damp weather. Treatment aims to ease pain and stiffness so you can move with more comfort.
Fibromyalgia
Widespread pain that often comes with fatigue and poor sleep. Because it touches the whole body, Yuanling treats the whole pattern, including sleep and stress.
Neuropathy
Numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands and feet. It can follow diabetes, chemotherapy, or other causes. Acupuncture helps bring Qi and blood back to the hands and feet.
Carpal tunnel
Pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand and wrist, often from repeated motion at work or at a keyboard. Yuanling treats points at the wrist and along the meridians of the arm.
Sports injuries
Sprains, strains, tendon pain, and injuries that are slow to heal. Acupuncture supports circulation to the injured area, so your body can recover and you can return to the activities you enjoy.
Bell's palsy
Sudden weakness on one side of the face. Acupuncture is often used during recovery, with gentle points on the face and body, alongside the care you receive from your doctor.
When to see your doctor first
Acupuncture works alongside your medical care. It is not a replacement for it. If your face suddenly droops or feels weak, call 911 or go to an emergency room right away, so a stroke can be ruled out. Please also see your doctor first for a new injury with swelling or a possible broken bone, a hot and swollen joint with fever, or numbness that comes on suddenly. Keep taking any medications as prescribed.
How it helps
How Chinese medicine supports healing
Restores the flow
Acupuncture unblocks the meridians, so Qi and blood can circulate again. Nourishment, oxygen, and nutrients return to the joints, muscles, and nerves.
Eases pain and inflammation
When the flow is blocked, inflammation, pain, and weakness can follow. Treatment calms the nervous system and helps the area settle, so the body can relax and recover.
Nourishes from within
For long-standing joint and nerve pain, Yuanling may add a custom herbal formula. Herbs give your body daily support between visits.
Related conditions
Often treated together
Because the whole body is connected, joint and nerve pain rarely travel alone. These concerns often come in alongside them.
Back, neck, and sciatic pain
Care for back and neck pain, and pain that travels down the leg.
Back and neck pain →Stress, anxiety, and sleep
Pain and poor sleep often feed each other. Calming the nervous system helps both.
Stress, anxiety, and sleep →Migraines and headaches
Care for recurring headaches that looks for the pattern behind them.
Migraines and headaches →Questions
Arthritis and nerve pain FAQ
Have a question about your condition?
Call us at (508) 202-8447.
Can acupuncture help arthritis?
Acupuncture is widely used for arthritis pain. The American College of Rheumatology's guideline lists acupuncture as an option for osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and hand. Results vary from person to person. At your first visit, after the assessment Yuanling will explain to you how the treatment helps you.
Can acupuncture help neuropathy?
Many patients come to us for numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands and feet. Acupuncture helps to improve circulation and bring Qi and blood back to the extremities. If your neuropathy is related to diabetes, keep working with your doctor on your blood sugar, which matters most for your nerves.
When should I start acupuncture for Bell's palsy?
First, see a doctor right away for any sudden facial weakness, so a stroke can be ruled out. Once your doctor has diagnosed Bell's palsy, you can begin acupuncture alongside the treatment they recommend. Call us and Yuanling will talk with you about timing.
How soon after an injury can I come in?
If an injury is new and severe, or you think a bone may be broken, see your doctor first. For strains, sprains, and injuries that are slow to heal, you can come in whenever you are ready. Acupuncture works well alongside physical therapy.
How many treatments will I need?
It varies, depending on your condition, how long you have had it, and how your body responds. A recent injury may ease within a few treatments. Arthritis, neuropathy, and fibromyalgia usually need a longer series. Yuanling will talk through a plan with you at your first visit.
Will insurance cover treatment for my condition?
Many plans cover acupuncture, and coverage can depend on the condition being treated. We are in-network with BlueCross BlueShield, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Aetna, and Harvard Pilgrim, and we verify your benefits before your visit. See pricing and insurance for details.
Move with more comfort
At your first visit, Yuanling will listen, evaluate your pattern, and begin your first treatment. Then she will suggest a plan that fits you.