Natural Relief for Gout with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Today I've been treating a patient with gout, and it reminded me just how painful and disruptive this condition can be. Gout is something I see quite often in clinic, especially here in Dorset where I offer acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in Christchurch, Bournemouth and surrounding areas. It can flare up suddenly, affect mobility, sleep, and overall wellbeing – but the good news is, it responds really well to treatment. So I thought I would write a blog about it – especially for anyone who’s struggling and looking for support.
What Is Gout?
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. When uric acid builds up, it can form sharp crystals that deposit in the joints – often the big toe, but it can affect other joints like the ankle, knee, or fingers. These crystals cause sudden, intense pain, swelling, redness and heat.
It often comes on overnight and can be so painful that even a bedsheet touching the joint feels unbearable.
What Triggers Gout Flare-Ups?
Common gout triggers include:
Diets high in red meat, shellfish, and alcohol (especially beer and sugary drinks)
Dehydration
Obesity
Certain medications, like diuretics
Stress and overexertion
Sudden dietary changes or fasting
Sneaky triggers people often don’t realise include:
High-fructose corn syrup (in fizzy drinks and some processed foods)
Yeast extracts like Marmite
Certain supplements, including niacin and high doses of vitamin B12
Intermittent fasting or keto-style diets that suddenly increase protein breakdown
Genetics also play a role, and it can be more common in men, though women (especially post-menopausal) can be affected too.
What Helps Gout?
From a conventional point of view, NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), colchicine, and steroids are often prescribed to manage pain and inflammation. Drinking plenty of water, reducing alcohol intake, and cutting back on purine-rich foods can help long-term.
Topically, I often recommend Evil Bone Water – a powerful liniment based on a traditional Chinese herbal formula. It helps reduce pain, inflammation, and stagnation in the joint, and my patients love how effective and fast-acting it is. I keep it in clinic because I believe it's one of the best topical options out there.
Gout in Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), gout is often seen as a combination of dampness, heat, and sometimes wind or blood stasis. The painful swelling and redness points towards Re Bi (Hot Painful Obstruction) or a Damp-Heat Bi pattern.
Our treatment principles focus on clearing heat, resolving dampness, invigorating the blood, and unblocking the channels. We look at the individual pattern in detail, because every person is different.
How Acupuncture Can Help Gout
Acupuncture is incredibly effective in managing the pain and inflammation of gout. It helps to:
Reduce pain naturally
Decrease inflammation
Improve local circulation
Support detoxification
Some of the acupuncture points I might use include:
SP9 (Yinlingquan) – clears dampness from the lower body
SP6 (Sanyinjiao) – nourishes Yin, moves blood, and resolves dampness
LIV3 (Taichong) – spreads Liver Qi, clears heat, and addresses stagnation
ST44 (Neiting) – clears heat from the Stomach channel, which often passes through the foot
LI11 (Quchi) – powerful for clearing heat and inflammation
GB34 (Yanglingquan) – benefits the tendons and joints
Ashi points – local points around the painful area for immediate relief
Patients often find relief even during a flare-up, and regular treatment can help prevent future episodes. I also combine this with moxibustion or cupping when needed, depending on the pattern.
Research supports this too. A systematic review published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2016) found that acupuncture may be more effective than conventional medication in reducing pain and serum uric acid levels in acute gouty arthritis. Another study in the Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science (2013) showed acupuncture combined with herbal medicine significantly improved symptoms compared to medication alone.
Chinese Herbs for Gout: Easy and Effective
Chinese herbal medicine can be helpful for for treating the root cause of gout. I use tailored formulas to potentially address the damp-heat and underlying imbalances. Some commonly used herbs include Huang Bai, Yi Yi Ren, Ze Xie, and Du Huo, though the exact formula depends on your unique presentation.
The herbs are easy to take – most patients choose granules, which are simply mixed with hot water. Some prefer capsules. I provide clear instructions and support to make it simple and convenient.
Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine for gout. A 2019 meta-analysis in Phytomedicine reported that Chinese herbal formulas can reduce the frequency of gout attacks, lower uric acid levels, and improve quality of life when compared with standard drug treatments. Herbal medicine was also associated with fewer side effects.
Looking for Gout Relief in Dorset, Christchurch or Bournemouth?
If you're suffering with gout or recurrent flare-ups and are looking for a natural, effective way to manage your symptoms, I'd love to help. I offer acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in Christchurch, Bournemouth, and the wider Dorset area, I also offer online consultations for herbal medicine only.
With nearly 20 years of clinical experience, I take a holistic and personalised approach. Whether you're in acute pain or want to address the root cause and prevent future attacks, get in touch.
You can contact me here to book a consultation or find out more about how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help with gout and joint pain.
In Summary
Gout is painful, but it doesn't have to control your life. Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and even topical remedies like Evil Bone Water can make a huge difference. If you're based in Dorset – particularly in Christchurch or Bournemouth – and need support with gout, Chinese medicine offers safe, effective options to get you back on your feet.
ReferencesZhang, Q., Yue, J., Lu, Y., Sun, Z., & Wang, Y. (2016). Acupuncture for Acute Gouty Arthritis: A Systematic Review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, Article ID 9451670. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9451670Li, Y., Zhang, H., & Zhang, X. (2013). Clinical observation on acupuncture combined with Chinese herbs for acute gouty arthritis. Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science, 11(2), 86–89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-013-0732-9Li, X., Wang, Y., Wang, H., et al. (2019). Efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine for gout: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytomedicine, 62, 152949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2019.152949