Acupuncture is the Answer to Your Osteoarthritis Misery

Osteoarthritis is a very common condition for people over 40 years of age. This condition is defined as the progressive degeneration of the joints. It is a rather painful and oftentimes chronic health issue. Here is how it occurs:

Our body has a layer of membrane between all joints called the cartilage. During our youth, this cartilage facilitates movement by serving as a lubricating membrane between the two adjoining bones. When we move, the cartilage is the organ in our body that prevents connected bones from rubbing against each other when there is movement.

But as we grow older, the cartilage starts to progressively erode. It degrades to the point that it no longer can protect the bones from rubbing against each other. As a result, pain will be felt whenever there is movement. Swelling as a result of inflammation follows the soreness in several cases.

Osteoarthritis can be caused by a lot of factors: overuse, injury, old, age, heredity, etc. We now can understand why some people in their 20s or 30s suffer from osteoarthritis. If you have osteoarthritis there are at least two reasons why you need to seek treatment as early as possible. One reason is to stop the cartilage from getting damaged any further. The second reason is for the relief of swelling, soreness, and pain that typically comes with osteoarthritis.

If there is inflammation around the affected joints, Western-trained doctors typically prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs that are steroid based. These drugs however, cause a lot of side effects. New studies have shown that repeated use of these medications can actually induce osteoarthritis, and make the condition even worse. This has forced doctors to look for safe and non-steroid modes of treatment to resolve osteoarthritis.

Acupuncture in Bellingham is one very good alternative treatment for osteoarthritis. It has proven that it can quell the symptoms. A recent clinical controlled trial tested the efficacy of acupuncture over the use of NSAIMs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines). In the trial, it was revealed that 70% of the patients experienced relief of pain relief right after an acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture is an ancient Eastern mode of treatment that has been around for more than 5,000 years. We now see a trend showing a growing number of Western doctors learning about acupuncture that they eventually integrate into their treatment repertoire. Acupuncture uses thin needles to activate the acupuncture points in the body. According to Chinese medicine, the human body has over 2000 acupuncture points (acupoints). When there is balance in Chi (vital energy) flow, the body will be able to heal itself. So, the ultimate goal of acupuncture treatment is to stimulate these acupoints in order to remove blockages and allow Chiu to move freely once again.

Western medicine believes that these acupoints are components of the central nervous system. Special chemicals such as hormones and neurotransmitters are released when these points are stimulated which leads to the healing of the body.

When you treat osteoarthritis with acupuncture, you can depend less on steroid based drugs. The treatment allows the affected joints to slowly but surely heal. It also naturally but quickly relieves osteoarthritis pain.