Objective To investigate the improvement effect of stone needle and ointment rubbing technique combined with emotional intervention on lower limb pain and negative emotions in patients with arthralgia due to diabetes of cold coagulation and blood stasis type. Methods The clinical data of 83 patients with arthralgia due to diabetes of cold coagulation and blood stasis type who were admitted to endocrinology department of the hospital from February 2021 to February 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the treatment method, patients enrolled were divided into control group (n=42) and observation group (n=41). The control group received routine intervention, while the observation group received stone needle and ointment rubbing technique combined with emotional intervention. Intervention effects in the two groups were analyzed. The changes in TCM syndrome scores, nerve conduction velocity, lower limb pain scores and negative emotions after treatment were discussed. Results The total effective rate of the observation group (95.12%) was higher than that of the control group (80.95%). After intervention, TCM syndrome scores, visual analogue scale(VAS) score, self-rating depression(SDS) score and self-rating anxiety scale(SAS) score of the observation group were lower compared to the control group. The motor conduction velocity of median nerve and common peroneal nerve were higher than those in the control group. Conclusion Stone needle and ointment rubbing technique combined with emotional intervention can effectively improve clinical symptoms, relieve lower limb pain and alleviate negative emotions in patients with arthralgia due to diabetes of cold coagulation and blood stasis type.