Arthritis is one of the most pervasive diseases in the United States and is the leading cause of disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention one out of every three Americans (an estimated 70 million people) is affected.
Arthritis is a disease that causes pain and inflammation in joints and can be widely spread throughout the body. Arthritis isn’t just one disease, it is a complex disorder that comprises more than 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at any stage of life. The common thread among arthritis symptom is persistent joint pain and inflammation. While arthritis pain and inflammation cannot be avoided as the body ages, with Acupuncture the pain can be manageable.
Two of the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While these two forms of arthritis have very different causes, risk factors, and effects on the body, they often share a common symptom—persistent joint pain.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in the United States, affecting an estimated 21 million adults. OA begins with the breakdown of cartilage in joints along with the deposition of calcium, which limits mobility of the joint and causes pain and stiffness. OA commonly affects the joints of the fingers, knees, hips, and spine. Other joints affected less frequently include the wrists, elbows, shoulders, and ankles.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can affect many different joints. Inflammation of the joint lining, the synovium, can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and redness. The degree of inflammation fluctuates, possibly following changes in the stress levels of the body. The affected joint may also lose normal movement. RA can have periods of exacerbation and remission, but pain often persists once the inflammation has subsided.
In a Scandinavian study, researchers compared acupuncture and exercise for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. Thirty-two patients awaiting a total hip replacement were separated into two groups. One group received acupuncture treatments and the other group received hip exercises over a 6-week period. Patients in the acupuncture group showed significant improvements, while no significant changes were reported in the group that received hip exercises.
Another study at the University of Maryland showed that elderly arthritis patients with osteoarthritis of the knee improved significantly when acupuncture was added to their treatment. Seventy-three patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group received acupuncture treatments and conventional therapy for 8 weeks. The other group received conventional therapy only. Patients who received acupuncture had significant pain relief and showed improvement in function. Those who did not receive acupuncture showed no significant change.
Acupuncture is a safe and effective tool to fight Arthritis pain with minimal side effects. Are you ready for pain relief? Call today (253-252-7195) to schedule your appointment or send us email and start living a pain free life.
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