Most people with joint pain are diagnosed with arthritis, which is a general term for a number of different conditions that involve swollen, painful, and/or stiff joints. The two most common forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, it is an auto-immune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, damaging joints and the surrounding soft tissue. Painful, stiff and deformed joints of the hands, arms, feet and legs are commonly seen; and osteoarthritis, which is an age-related degeneration of joints. The joint pain of osteoarthritis is primarily due to the gradual loss of protective cartilage. Physical injury, mechanical stress or metabolic abnormality can break down the cartilage which cushions the ends of the bones from rubbing against each other. As a result, bones begin to grate against each other, producing pain and further degeneration.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the arthritis condition is called "Bi syndrome." Bi syndrome manifests as pain, soreness, or numbness of muscles, tendons and joints, and is the result of the body being "invaded" by the external climatological factors of Wind, Cold, Heat, and/or Dampness. The pathogenic factors that cause Bi syndrome (Wind, Cold, Damp, Heat) lodge in the body’s meridians (energy pathways) and obstruct the free flow of Chi(Qi) and Blood in those meridians. When blood and energy are not able to flow naturally, they stagnate, causing pain, heat, and other symptoms of illness.

In the West, anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibupofen; and steroid-based drugs such as corticosteroids and immuno-suppressive drugs are widely prescribed for arthritis. In traditional Chinese medicine, arthritis pain management is accomplished through a combination of acupuncture and herbs, and many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach. The goal of treatment is to help the body heal by restoring normal circulation and energy (Qi) flow. Acupuncture and herbal therapy help to open the blockage, balance the energy, restoring normal circulation, harmonize energy (Qi) and Blood.

it is said in Chinese Medicine:

If there is free flow, there is no pain;
If there is no free flow, there is pain.