Research Progress on the Treatment of Osteoarthritis With Stagnation Acupuncture Therapy

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease primarily characterized by degenerative changes in articular cartilage, osteophytosis, pain, and functional impairment. Modern medicine primarily relies on pharmacotherapy and surgical intervention. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can alleviate pain, but long-term use can cause damage to the digestive system, liver, and kidney functions. Although traditional acupuncture and moxibustion have therapeutic effects, it often has limited efficacy in treating intractable pain and functional impairment caused by deep adhesion and fascial contracture. Stagnation acupuncture therapy combines the “stagnant needle technique” with “the moving needle technique” through a unique operational paradigm of “stagnant needle–moving needle.” It features “moving the needle at one point, achieving multi-dimensional effects.” Its core therapeutic effects can be summarized as targeted release effect, stratified inflammatory regulation effect, and mechanical homeostasis remodeling effect, which provide unique advantages in the treatment of osteoarthritis. This article analyzes the literature reports on the treatment of osteoarthritis with stagnation acupuncture therapy in recent years. Starting from academic origins, needle tool improvements, and operational methods, it systematically reviews the technical connotation, clinical application, mechanism exploration, and existing deficiencies of stagnation acupuncture therapy, providing a reference for the treatment of osteoarthritis with this therapy.