• Weil Nutrition Corner
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Origins
  • Healthy Aging
  • Marketplace
  • Podcasts
  • Accessibility
  • Subscribe
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Nutrition
    Recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    Vitamins
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    Health Tips
    Spontaneous Happiness
  • Mushrooms
  • Sleep
Press "Enter" to search
Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Nutrition
    Recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    Vitamins
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    Health Tips
    Spontaneous Happiness
  • Mushrooms
  • Sleep
  • Weil Nutrition Corner
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Origins
  • Healthy Aging
  • Marketplace
  • Podcasts
  • Accessibility
  1. Home
  2. Health & Wellness
  3. Body, Mind & Spirit
  4. Bone & Joint

Needle Away Pain?

Does acupuncture relieve the pain of arthritis?

Andrew Weil, M.D. | May 23, 2003

needle away pain
1 min

Editors Note: As of June 10, 2003 the clinical trial mentioned in this article is full and is closed to new participants. Information about the study can be found at www.compmed.umm.edu.

Yes, it can. Studies so far have shown that acupuncture can help people with osteoarthritis although it doesn’t seem to work for those with rheumatoid arthritis and related auto-immune diseases. In one Scandinavian study 25 percent of arthritis patients who had been scheduled for knee surgery cancelled their operations after acupuncture treatment. And a study at the University of Maryland showed that elderly arthritis patients with knee pain due to osteoarthritis improved significantly when acupuncture was added to their treatment.

Some rheumatologists, the medical specialists who treat arthritis, now offer acupuncture treatment to their patients along with conventional medications. At first, relief may last only a week or less, but over time the effects can become longer lasting and can reduce the need for medication. Although acupuncture doesn’t work for everyone with arthritis, it is worth a try, particularly if other forms of treatment haven’t helped. Some insurance plans now cover the costs when acupuncture is recommended by a physician.

If you live on the East Coast, you might be interested in participating in a clinical trial now recruiting patients to assess the safety and efficacy of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis. The trial, sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, will take place at sites in Maryland and New York City.

I also suggest reading “The Arthritis Cure“ by Jason Theodosakis, MD, Brenda Adderly, and Barry Fox, PhD. (St. Martin’s Press, 1997) and considering the recommendation to use glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. The suggested daily dose is 1,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate with or without 1,200 mg of chondroitin sulfate.

These options are also worth trying:

  • Ginger: A natural anti-inflammatory, available as powdered extracts in capsules as well as alcohol-based extracts. Follow the dosing directions on the label. Or make tea by combining one-half teaspoon of grated ginger root with eight ounces of boiling water. Cover and steep for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain and add honey to taste.
  • Turmeric: Another natural anti-inflammatory. Look for an extract of whole turmeric, in health-food stores; follow the dosage directions on the label.
  • An herbal remedy containing ginger, turmeric and other anti-inflammatory agents.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Advertisement
Related Weil Products

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging for Bone and Joint Health

Wear and tear, joint stress, inadequate nutrition and genetic predisposition all can be factors in your risk for bone and joint issues. Help protect your bones with a proper diet, supplement routine and exercise plan. Learn more – join the Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging online guide and get 14 days free.
Get Started
Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil's FREE health living advice delivered to you!

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt out of DrWeil.com subscriptions at any time.

Trending Now

Shot of a senior woman using weights with the help of a physical therapist
Bone & Joint

A Better Drug for Bones?

Cropped shot of a young woman getting a neck massage at a spahttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pi/shoots/782839.jpg
Bone & Joint

A Pain in the Neck?

Swimmer
Bone & Joint

Aching With Arthritis?

Food supplement pills, glucosamine capsules, macro image, selective focus
Bone & Joint

Are Glucosamine Supplements Worthwhile?

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Dr. Weil's Signature

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

© Copyright 2025 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com