Arthritis
Root-cause functional medicine care — not just symptom management. Lia Laterza, LAc works with you to find what's actually driving your arthritis.
In-person & virtual consultations available
Arthritis is not simply wear and tear — it is an inflammatory condition, and inflammation always has a driver. Whether you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or another form of joint disease, a functional medicine approach asks why your joints are inflamed and what can be done to reduce that burden. At Muskego Acupuncture & Wellness, we look at the underlying contributors: gut permeability, food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, metabolic dysfunction, autoimmune activity, and chronic stress — and we build a protocol that addresses the inflammation at its source rather than simply masking the pain.
Who It's For
This may be right for you if…
- You have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriatic arthritis
- You experience joint pain, stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Your symptoms are worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity
- You have been on NSAIDs or other pain medications long-term and want an alternative
- You notice your joint pain worsens with stress or certain foods
- You have gut issues, skin problems, or other inflammatory symptoms alongside your joint pain
- You want a root-cause approach to reducing inflammation — not just pain management
Our Approach
How We Support Arthritis Through Functional Medicine
We combine modern lab-based diagnostics with Traditional Chinese Medicine and personalized protocols to address the root cause — not just the symptoms.
Why Conventional Medicine Falls Short
Conventional medicine isn't designed to find the root cause.
Do any of these sound familiar?
- Your lab results are "normal", but you struggle daily with symptoms that affect your quality of life
- You've seen multiple doctors and are no closer to getting answers or relief
- Your physical and mental health keeps you from living life the way you want to
- Your doctor has told you "you'll just have to live with it"
- You're looking for an option besides prescription medications or invasive surgery
- You're beginning to wonder if you'll ever feel like yourself again
You're not alone. Most care models focus on symptoms — not systems — and they often miss the full picture, relying on generalized protocols that don't work for everyone.
Schedule a ConsultationWe Do Things Different Here
Most care treats the symptom. We find what's driving it.
Most practices choose one lens to look through. We use two — because your body doesn't separate its systems, and neither should your care.
Functional Medicine
We look beyond symptoms to find their root cause — testing hormones, gut health, and metabolic markers to understand what's really happening in your body. Instead of managing symptoms indefinitely, we build a personalized plan aimed at resolving the underlying imbalance.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Thousands of years of clinical observation inform how we read the body's patterns — energy, circulation, and organ systems working together. Acupuncture, herbs, and lifestyle practices help restore balance and support your body's own healing response.
At Muskego Acupuncture & Wellness, we combine both — modern lab-based diagnostics with time-tested Eastern medicine — because using them together consistently produces more complete, more lasting results than either approach alone.
What You Can Expect
About Muskego Acupuncture
Muskego Acupuncture is a functional medicine and acupuncture practice led by Lia Laterza, LAc. Lia combines the science of functional medicine — lab testing, root-cause analysis, and personalized protocols — with the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine to help patients understand what is happening in their bodies and finally feel like themselves again.
Whether you are navigating hormonal chaos, chronic fatigue, digestive issues, or a constellation of symptoms that no one has been able to explain — Lia takes the time to listen, test, and build a plan that is specific to you. No guessing. No dismissing. Just real answers and real support.
Common questions
Can diet really affect arthritis?
Significantly. The gut microbiome directly regulates systemic inflammation — and gut dysbiosis is one of the most consistent findings in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Food sensitivities, particularly to gluten and nightshades, can also drive joint inflammation in susceptible individuals.
Is this approach safe alongside my rheumatologist's treatment?
Yes — we work alongside conventional management, not against it. Many patients find that addressing the root cause allows them to reduce medication over time, but that is always a conversation with their rheumatologist.
How long before I notice reduced pain?
Most patients notice some improvement in pain and stiffness within 4 to 6 weeks of implementing dietary changes and anti-inflammatory support. Deeper inflammatory reduction — reflected in lab markers — typically takes 8 to 12 weeks.
Milwaukee & Greater Milwaukee Area
Are you local to the Milwaukee area?
We offer acupuncture and in-person integrative therapies too!
If you're based in or near Milwaukee, we offer a full range of in-person services — fire cupping, gua sha, SAAT allergy treatments, muscle testing, and more. These therapies can be layered into your functional medicine plan or booked on their own for support with pain, stress, hormone balance, and skin health.
Your body has been trying to tell you something.
You deserve care that helps you feel at home in your body again. Together we'll stop guessing and start uncovering real answers — with a personalized approach that looks at the full picture of who you are and how you feel.
Book an Appointment