Gout Pain? Here’s the Truth and How to Stop It

Discover the surprising causes of gout and simple, natural ways - including Traditional Chinese Medicine - to relieve your pain and prevent flare-ups.

By Maria Chah, DOM, AP & Jennifer Troyan

Gout pain is a common but often misunderstood arthritic condition caused by excess uric acid in the body. When your kidneys can’t effectively eliminate uric acid - a waste byproduct from breaking down protein - this acid builds up and forms sharp crystals in your joints, leading to sudden and severe gout flare-up symptoms.

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What Is Uric Acid and How Does It Cause Gout?

Uric acid and gout are closely linked. Normally, the kidneys filter uric acid and convert it into a water-soluble form to be removed through urine. But if your kidney function is impaired or your diet is high in purine-rich foods, uric acid accumulates (Purines are nitrogen-containing compounds found in many foods). This leads to painful gout symptoms like joint inflammation and swelling.

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Foods to Avoid with Gout

Diet plays a major role in triggering gout flare-ups. Foods high in purines such as:

  • Red meat (especially lamb and fatty cuts of beef and pork)
  • Certain fish and seafood (herring, tuna, mackerel, sardines, anchovies)
  • Wild game meats (rabbit, venison, pheasant, goose)
  • Sugary foods and drinks, including those with high fructose corn syrup
  • Alcohol, particularly beer

can increase uric acid levels and worsen gout pain. Limiting these foods is one of the first steps to gout pain relief.

 

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Foods That Help with Gout

Thankfully, many foods can support the body in managing uric acid and reducing inflammation:

  • Low-fat dairy products like yogurt and skim milk can lower uric acid levels
  • Cherries and berries (especially tart cherries) have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects
  • Leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables like kale, broccoli, and brussels sprouts support liver detox
  • Whole grains like brown rice and quinoa provide fiber without excess purines
  • Lemon water and other alkaline foods help reduce acidity in the body
  • Water and herbal teas, such as dandelion or nettle tea, promote hydration and kidney function

These foods are not only low in purines but also rich in nutrients that support kidney health, liver function, and overall gout prevention.

 

How Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Helps with Gout Relief

In TCM and gout, the kidneys and liver play a key role in balancing the body’s energy, or Qi (life force or energy). The kidney and liver connection is vital because the kidneys (water element) nourish the liver (wood element), which helps regulate the body’s detoxification processes.

When these organs are out of balance, the body struggles to clear uric acid, leading to painful deposits in the joints. TCM approaches, including acupuncture for gout pain and herbal remedies, focus on strengthening the kidneys and liver to improve uric acid elimination and reduce inflammation.

 

Natural Remedies and Lifestyle Tips to Prevent Gout Attacks

  • Stay hydrated to help your kidneys flush out uric acid
  • Eat foods rich in antioxidants such as berries, chlorella, spirulina, and wheatgrass to support liver detoxification
  • Slow down while eating to improve digestion and reduce acid buildup
  • Consider herbal medicine for gout to balance organ function naturally
  • Practice mindful food combining and chew food thoroughly to aid enzymatic digestion

Understanding what causes gout and managing dietary changes can provide substantial relief. But if experiencing severe discomfort, adding TCM therapies is a powerfully effective way to resolve painful gout attacks and daily flare-ups.

 

As We Head into Summer...

You may likely attend summer celebrations where you may be drinking, out in the sun, barbequing and grilling so be gentle on yourself, (especially if you are dealing with gout). Our Acupuncture physician, Maria Chah, says: “It is important to keep in mind what foods to avoid, especially sugar and excess meat, because they act like 'Fuel on the fire of gout, and purine-rich food is the lighter fluid’.”

You can have the cheeseburger - maybe eat it with some salad. 😊 Of course, feeling pain free of gout includes all things to be kept in moderation. And, most importantly, enjoy summer with your family and friends.

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Good health to you all!

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Information in this article and on this website is intended for informational or educational purposes only. This information does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have questions about a medical condition, always seek the advice of a doctor or other qualified health professional.

To learn more about our services, please contact our office at 561-249-0447 for a consultation on how to start your annual wellness optimization. During the consultation, we can provide guidance on the best treatment modalities to improve or enhance your state of wellness the TCM way.

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