My Journey With Community Acupuncture and RA

By Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT

3 min read

Since my diagnosis over 19 years ago, I have implemented a holistic approach in treating my rheumatoid arthritis (RA). I use of combination of Western medication, dietary changes, exercise, physical therapy, and alternative therapies. Through the years, I have found that this combination of treatment approaches works well for me.

Acupuncture: Eastern versus Western practice

While acupuncture has its origins in traditional Chinese medicinal practice, it has also been adopted and adapted into Western medical practice. Mayo Clinic describes acupuncture as "the insertion of needles through your skin at strategic points on your body." The idea behind the original Eastern practice of acupuncture is that the insertion of tiny needles at very specific points on the body will help to rebalance your body’s energy or the flow of life force (chi or qi).¹

Western medicine acupuncture practitioners have a slightly different perspective on acupuncture points. They view acupuncture points as locations where nerves, connective tissues, and muscles are stimulated. This stimulation is believed to help your body boost its ability to fight pain naturally, helping your body to release naturally-produced painkillers.¹

My journey with acupuncture

I went to acupuncture several years ago after living for years in chronic pain. I was just looking for something to help with the chronic pain I was experiencing. If I am being honest, the cost of treatment sessions can be pricey. Price ranges vary depending on where you live. However, for me personally, prices ranged from $100 to $175 per session.

The acupuncture session was beneficial in helping decrease my pain levels. However, I was only able to go infrequently because of the cost.

Three months ago, I was at my rheumatology appointment. I had been experiencing a terrible flare of my RA and fibromyalgia simultaneously. My rheumatologist asked when I had last been to the acupuncturist; I explained to her that it was difficult for me to keep up with the cost. She understood but continued to highly recommend the treatment.

I was determined to find a solution. After much more research, it was my physical therapist who recommended a resource in my community.

Discovering community acupuncture

The acupuncturist I see is a member of the People’s Organization of Community Acupuncture (POCA). It is a nonprofit organization whose mission is "to work cooperatively to increase accessibility to and availability of affordable group acupuncture treatments.”²

My acupuncturist offers sessions on a sliding scale from $15 to $40 per session. You pay what you can on the scale, no questions asked. The clinic does not take insurance, receive grants, or receive state or federal monies. It operates solely on a sustainable community business model, reliant on patients in my community.

This or That

Are you interested in discussing more complementary, supplementary, and alternative treatments for RA?

The benefits of receiving acupuncture on a consistent basis

The affordability of acupuncture sessions at my community clinic has allowed me to receive treatments once a week. I have noticed not only a decrease in my pain levels and inflammation, but an overall decrease in my anxiety levels. My sleep has also been impacted in a positive way; my sleep quality has improved and is much more of a restorative sleep. I am excited to continue my treatment sessions.

Acupuncture is not for everyone, though. I urge you to always talk with your rheumatologist and doctors before starting treatment.

Community-based services make it possible

Much more research needs to be conducted on the impact acupuncture has clinically on individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. However, I can only speak on my experiences. I have seen really positive results.

I had given up on it as an option because of the cost. I am hoping this article can help even one person out there whose rheumatologist has recommended acupuncture but for whom cost is an issue.

I will never stop advocating. I will continue researching for ways that our community can receive and afford the treatments recommended to us by our physicians.

Treatment results and side effects can vary from person to person. This treatment information is not meant to replace professional medical advice. Talk to your doctor about what to expect before starting and while taking any treatment.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The RheumatoidArthritis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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casmere Member
Hi <inline-mention username="Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT" user-id="3244142"/> I am glad you were able to finally get back to acupuncture and it is helping you. Many years ago I use to have acupuncture treatments. They were amazing in helping my pain and tension. I hurt my back and it tensed up bad. I was helping my mom and dad out, my dad was ill with Multiple Myeloma and my mom had just had hernia repair which was suppose to be day surgery and turned into a lot more than that. She can home Christmas eve day. I was tgere fir 4 days and dud Christmas dinner, then after that I vacuumed throughout, pulling furniturre out and backbin place. Worked very hard, that after I was hone abd back to my work as a PSW, my back ceased up . I had Chiropractor treatments, and he did what he could but suggested i go fir acupuncture. I was akso utilizing my massage treatments i had acupuncture to the bext few years and it really works. Sure wish I had medical benifits or we had a medical group that covered all the thearapies at a price seniors can afford. I am really glad you found this group and that the acupuncture is helping you. By the way, I am up and about doing good. Have started some are/shoulder exercises, that Daniel Malito talked about in recent articles, and I messaged and asked about exercises for the upper arm. He gave me two of them and I have started doing the 3 exercises. I have now lost 43 lbs in 16 months. Talk againg soon. Blessings and Prayers Casmere 
1. Daniel Malito Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="casmere" user-id="3145733"/> Thrilled to hear!! I hope it is helping, although, admittedly, it may take a while for you to start seeing the benefits, but it is wroth it! You sound like you are well on your way in your health journey, 43lbs is nothing to scoff at!! Keep on keepin' on, DPM
Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="casmere" user-id="3145733"/> always great to hear from you. That is so great to hear that you are up and about. Always good to hear when specific articles or when team mates provide information that help our community members. Glad that @ Daniel Malito's article and his suggestions have helped you in such a positive and life changing way. Always good to keep moving as much as we can with RA. Congrats on feeling better and for your commitment to keep moving. In the process you have lost a significant amount of weight. Regular acupuncture has been a game changer for me. I do it weekly and am so fortunate to have found the group I have. I agree with you that I wish more resources and assistance was out there to participate in alternative therapies, like acupuncture. Especially, because you mentioned that it was beneficial for you. Thank you for being part of our community. I appreciate you and all that you share to help others within our community. You are a special person Casmere. Please keep reaching out. I always enjoy your posts. Just Keep Swimming...Lynn Marie, "RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member"
casmere Member
Thank you <inline-mention username="Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT" user-id="3244142"/> for those very kind words. You, yourself are a very special person also. And I support you in all your endeavors with life. Blessing and Prayers Casmere
Jo Johnson Moderator & Contributor
Acupuncture can be so beneficial! I recommend you also check to see if your insurance covers the treatments. When I get mine from an In Network provider mine is covered. I got some treatments from a chiropractor not in network and he wasn’t able to give me the info I needed to file a claim, in spite of telling me he would prior to the treatments. So be sure you are clear what and who is covered. Jo
1. Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Jo Johnson" user-id="3158858"/> so glad acupuncture was beneficial for you. That is a great point to check with your insurance to see if sessions are covered. Just Keep Swimming...Lynn marie, "RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member"
CommunityMemberf58495 Member
I’ve been doing acupuncture, cupping, massage for 6+ months and plan to continue for the foreseeable future. It is exceptionally helpful to reduce swelling and accompanying pail and discomfort in my hands and feet; increase flexibility in my neck, enable me to stand taller - straighter and provide a greater sense of well-being. It can be painful at times (cupping and massage) but worth Putting up with it. I’m heartened to read about the efficacy of acupuncture. Whenever I mention to The RA Specialist., Family physician, hand specialist I get silence. A follow-up visit to the hand specialist did allow that he ‘wasn't adverse to acupuncture’. With the benefit of hindsight I would have opted for acupuncture with the full suite of TCM rather than spinal surgeries, Knee replacements and hand surgery. Patricia Filteau
1. christine.laaksonen Community Admin
 This is great, <inline-mention username="CommunityMemberf58495" user-id="6762907"/>! I can hear what a difference acupuncture, cupping, and massage have done for you these last several months. I wish that more doctors were trained (or at least more knowledgeable) on alternative therapies in a addition to medicine. Of course, it's not always going to work the same for everyone, but having a resource, like your rheumatologist, who knows both medicine and complementary therapies seems like it would be helpful. In any case, I am so glad to hear how well these things have been for you. We appreciate you sharing your experience here with the rest of the community. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
njmanek Member
This is a timely topic about acupuncture and inflammation. Many years ago, I wrote a book chapter looking at the evidence for Qigong (related to Tai Chi Chuan) and healing. But I wanted to go deeper than just trial data. One question was: What are these 'channels' of the Meridien system? After all in my anatomy classes, I didn't see them. I couldn't measure them or trace where they started and ended. This is a challenge in Medicine which has taken a long time to study and accept acupuncture. In the course of writing that book chapter, I came across evidence in Physics! Physics is the science about energy and since we are accessing energy (generally speaking) with acupuncture, I was immediately intrigued. Physicists call the Meridien's as "Subtle Energies." They are very real even if they are invisible in the body. In fact, it is energy that really makes chemical reactions run. It also means that methods for Subtle energy work like acupuncture can rebalance chemistry and turn down inflammation. Thank you! Nisha Manek, MD
1. Daniel Malito Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="njmanek" user-id="3217423"/> This is very cool to hear from an actual MD! When I got my acupuncture done I actually visited a full MD as well, and although the experience didn't end up helping me in the end I did appreciate that a full MD was there, especially with my chronic illness. Thanks for sharing this info! Keep on keepin' on, DPM
2. Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="njmanek" user-id="3217423"/> I very much appreciate you reaching out and for reading my article. Thank you for sharing your expertise, wisdom, experience and research around energies and it's application to acupuncture. Just Keep Swimming...Lynn Marie, "RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member"
Mnieckarz Member
My insurance started covering accupuncture last spring. We're limited to 24 appointments. I have been going at first every week. Now I go every other week. It has helped me manage pain. My practitioner also does cupping and ends with a massage. If nothing else, it's an hour of zen and self care.
1. Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Mnieckarz" user-id="8852160"/> that is amazing that your insurance covers some of your acupuncture sessions. Added bonus with the cupping and massage. Glad to hear you feel like the acupuncture us helping to manage your pain. Acupuncture has definitely been a game changer for me with pain management and emotional management. Thanks for reaching out and for reading my article. Just Keep Swimming...Lynn Marie, "RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member" 
2. Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Mnieckarz" user-id="8852160"/> that is amazing that your insurance covers some of your acupuncture sessions. Added bonus with the cupping and massage. Glad to hear you feel like the acupuncture us helping to manage your pain. Acupuncture has definitely been a game changer for me with pain management and emotional management. Thanks for reaching out and for reading my article. Just Keep Swimming...Lynn Marie, "RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member"
LGS63 Member
My primary care has just recommended acupuncture for pain and also for anxiety/insomnia. It's encouraging to hear how helpful it has been to so many. I agree, self care practices are essential. Wish everyone all the best.
Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT Moderator & Contributor
I absolutely agree <inline-mention username="LGS63" user-id="7008061"/> that self care is essential. As I wrote in my article, I started acupuncture for pain management and my sleep quality has improved and anxiety has decreased. Acupuncture has made such a difference in my life and a very important part of my treatment plan. If you decide to try acupuncture, please reach back out and let us know how it goes and if you find it helpful. Thanks for being part of our community and for your time reaching out . Just Keep Swimming...Lynn Marie, "RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member"
CommunityMemberf58495 Member
Acupuncture has become a big part of my treatment approach. It increases flexibility, increases circulation, addresses specific areas that require constant attention, hands,kness thighs. My acupuncturist is a Dr. of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) that includes not only acupuncture but cupping, Reiki style massage, ifrared ... and the opportunity to develop a trusting relationship with a professional that listens, adapts and explores - it takes time - there are no instant fixes with acupuncture and it requires maintenance - for me, at least ,its effective. I have not experienced a single Dr of Western medicine that is as solutions oriented and compassionate. 
1. christine.laaksonen Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMemberf58495" user-id="6762907"/> this is wonderful! It sounds like acupuncture has been a great addition to your treatment. I'm so glad you've had such a positive and helpful experience, not only with the techniques themselves, but also with your doctor. Thanks so much for sharing your experience! -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
2. Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMemberf58495" user-id="6762907"/> really appreciate you reaching out and for taking the time to read my article. I always am so happy to hear when someone has explored acupuncture and or the many other treatment options available to help us along our journey with RA. I require maintenance with my acupuncture too. It then also makes my heart smile, when I hear that you are experiencing positive benefits from the acupuncture, cupping, Reiki style massage and infrared. It's important to have Dr's that listen and work with us. Wishing you continued relief! Just Keep Swimming...Lynn Marie.