Acupuncture For Gout — (Wellness Coach's Advice and Tips)

Acupuncture for Gout as Explained from Find It Health Coaches and Instructors

As the main health and wellness advisor at FindItHealth.com, I’m here to talk about how acupuncture can help you get rid of gout. Gout, an inflammatory disease, can affect the toe, knee, and ankle regions. 

Sometimes there are acute gout attacks where the symptoms worsen, and other times there is a remission where there are no symptoms. In addition to being a symptom of sickness and internal disharmony, gout is painful and disruptive. 

Whatever type of gout you have, acupuncture provides significant therapeutic effects. Please read on for more information.

Acupuncture for Gout as Explained from Find It Health Coaches and Instructors

Acupuncture Points For Gout


The six acupuncture points listed below have powerful effects on treatment of gout:

SP6 (Sanyinjiao) acupuncture points

This acupoint, which is situated at the border of the tibia at the foot’s medial malleolus, strengthens the spleen, clears dampness and enhances the operation of the liver Qi, tones the kidney, and increases blood flow.

TB6 (Zhigou) acupuncture point

Located on the arm’s radius and ulna, this acupoint regulates Qi, releases heat that has built up in the head region, and expels trapped wind.

It has therapeutic effects for the chest, back, and large intestine.

ST 36 acupuncture point

This acupoint, which is close to the tibialis anterior muscle of the calf, is frequently stimulated to correct the spleen and stomach as well as to control the central Qi routes. It balances the intestines, releases blood stagnation in the thoracic region, clears infections, and can delay the onset of certain diseases.

ST44 (Neiting) Pressure point

This acupoint, which is situated near the foot’s metatarsal, offers several advantages, including removing heat, balancing the intestines, and calming the mind.

SP9 (Yinlingquan) pressure points

This point, which is situated on the medial condyle of the tibia near the knee, regulates the spleen, evaporates moisture, opens the waterways, and facilitates urine.

ST43 (Xiangu)

The acupoint at the metatarsal bones of the foot releases wind and heat that has been trapped and clears obstacles from channels. Moreover, it controls the intestines and reduces edema.

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Can Acupuncture Help With Gout?


Acupuncture is a highly effective gout treatment from the perspectives of both conventional Chinese medicine and contemporary science.

Acupuncture is used in traditional Chinese medicine to cure moisture and heat, particularly during gout attacks.

In this context, “moistness” refers to edema and swelling brought on by gout and uric acid accumulation. Heat on the other hand is a broader term that refers to inflammation.

According to recent scientific studies, acupuncture is a highly efficient method for treating gout by stimulating key areas. It sets off a series of events that include the release of neurotransmitters, endogenous opioid-like substances, and c-fos activation within the central nervous system. A variety of acute and chronic pain disorders, including gout, can be relieved by this reaction.

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Acupressure Points For Gout In Ankle


The following acupressure points are stimulated to improve acute gouty arthritis and chronic gout in the ankle:

  • Liver Meridian LV-3 and Gall Bladder Meridian GB- 41 points, enable the body to produce natural painkillers.
  • Taichong LV-3 and Zulinqi GB-41 are acupressure points located on the top of the foot. Stimulating these areas is effective for relieving gout pain in the ankle.

The liver organ is frequently stimulated in Chinese medicine’s holistic approach to treatment in order to enhance homeostasis, reduce inflammation, and repair stress-related harm. These acupressure spots also release endorphins, which reduce muscle tension and have pain-numbing properties similar to morphine.

Ankle gout is a form of arthritis caused by the formation of uric acid crystals on the ankle joints. It can result in excruciating ankle pain, along with redness, stiffness, and edema. Although gout can affect other joints, particularly those in the ankle region, it frequently begins in the big toe.

According to research in the Journal of Rheumatology, the frequency of gout has doubled over the past 20 years, making it the most frequent inflammatory arthritis in the US.

High quantities of uric acid in the blood cause gout. When the body breaks down purines found in meals and bodily tissues, uric acid is produced as a waste product. Large doses of purines may be hazardous.

High uric acid levels build up in the joints with gout, causing crystals that produce the symptoms of gout.

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Risks Of Dry Needling For Gout


Like any medical procedure, there are potential risks associated with dry needling. Some of these are:

  • Temporary pain exacerbation

Twenty four to 48 hours after therapy, there can be a brief increase in pain. But, with mild movement, a light massage, or stretching of the area, the discomfort would go away on its own.

  • Bleeding

At the point of therapy or insertion, bleeding could happen. However, this adverse effect is uncommon and only 10% of people experience it. You may be more susceptible to this adverse effect if you use blood thinners or have a problem with your blood vessels.

  • Fainting

Another risk is fainting, which is more likely to happen to persons who are thirsty, hungry, or who eat right before a session.

  • Fatigue

In some cases, people who’ve undergone the procedure experience a general feeling of fatigue or weakness.

  • Skin reactions

Histamine reaction to needles is another concern to be aware of. Tiny red spots appear on the skin and usually go away on their own in a few minutes or hours.

Following a dry needling session, some people report feeling pain-free and more mobile. Others, however, require more than one session before the benefit becomes noticeable.Both acupuncture and dry needling insert hair-thin needles into the body at specific points. While traditional acupuncture is practiced from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, dry needling is based on human anatomy and neurophysiological concepts.

Frequently Asked Questions


How to break up gout crystals?

Drinking at least 10 to 12 eight-ounce glasses of non-alcoholic liquids each day will help you flush away gout crystals or uric acid crystals quickly and effectively.

Very high amounts of uric acid in the blood cause gout, which causes crystals to accumulate on the joints and other tissues. As a result, the area swells and erupts in inflammation.

We also advise staying away from the following foods, which are known to raise uric acid levels: 

  • Brains
  • Kidney
  • Offal
  • Soups and gravies
  • Anchovies and sardines
  • Liver
  • Sweetbreads

While you can drink coffee and tea, you should talk to your doctor before drinking alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol may cause a gout attack by increasing uric acid levels.

Can acupuncture get rid of gout?

As previously established, acupuncture is a very successful treatment for adult gout. For kids with gout, acupuncture can potentially be a promising treatment as well. Although it’s uncommon, children can have pediatric gout from lifestyle factors that lead to obesity.

In this situation, you might wish to talk to a doctor and a licensed acupuncturist about using acupuncture to treat gout discomfort. Children’s acupuncture is widely used to treat a variety of conditions, such as headaches, stomachaches, and back discomfort.

In both adults and children, acupuncture can be a safe alternative to pharmaceuticals.

What does Chinese medicine do for gout?

Herbs and acupuncture are two of the most extensively researched top-tier treatments in Chinese medicine. The following is recent research:

  • In one study, 83 participants were divided into 2 trials to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture plus herbal medicine vs herbal medicine alone. The trial lasted 7 days, and the acupuncture and herbal medicine group outperformed the herbal medication alone group in terms of clinical efficacy improvement of gout.
  • Simiao powder, a well-known Chinese herbal remedy, has been the subject of intense research recently. According to a systematic review, simiao powder can considerably reduce uric acid and C-reactive protein levels in the body as well as the signs and symptoms of gouty arthritis.
  • Some studies explore the specific effects of acupuncture needling for gout. In one current study, it was discovered that applying pressure to the Shu, Yuan, and Mu acupoints dramatically reduced xanthine oxidase and serum uric acid levels. Another study found that applying acupuncture to the Shu point on the spleen meridian seems to reduce serum uric acid.

The primary goals of traditional Chinese medicine treatment for gout are the excretion of uric acid, inhibiting the inflammatory response, improving immunological function, and blocking peripheral nerve pain perception.

Can acupuncture lower uric acid levels for gout?

Acupuncture treatment that stimulates the spleen meridians can significantly reduce a patient’s blood uric acid levels.One PubMed study demonstrated this. A total of 32 patients with primary hyperuricemia received acupuncture of the Five Shu Acupoints in the spleen meridian daily each morning. The study lasted for ten days. As part of the outcome assessment, the 24-hour urine volume was recorded daily and fasting indicators were recorded on the morning of the 11th day. After the duration of treatment, it was found that blood uric levels improved by promoting uric acid excretion and increasing overall urine volume.

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Conclusion – Research by Findithealth.com

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Acupuncture can be helpful for at least three gout-related illnesses: relief from intense pain, inflammation reduction, and stress reduction.

In terms of pain relief, acupuncture stimulates the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body, such as endorphins. For inflammation, acupuncture promotes blood flow and triggers the body’s natural healing response. Acupuncture is also an effective relaxation therapy that reduces stress and anxiety and promotes analgesic effects thus reducing the severity of gout symptoms.

It’s important to keep in mind that, even while acupuncture can occasionally aid with gout management, it should never replace western medicine treatment. A healthcare practitioner should be consulted if you are exhibiting gout symptoms in order to decide the most appropriate course of action.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this article! Please visit us again as we update.

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Find It Health Editor in Chief Luz Chacon Health and Wellness Coach Giving You Advice

Luz Chacon

Luz Chacon is a Health Educator, Wellness Coach, and EFT Tapping Practitioner with 30+ years in health advocacy. Specializing in stress management, wellbeing, and holistic health, she created a 40% stress reduction employee program. Luz is dedicated to helping busy individuals prioritize self-care, break patterns, and reach goals. She offers programs for organizations and individuals. Luz is passionate about sharing her health research and guiding informed choices!

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