Osteoarthritis Sufferers May Find Symptomatic Relief from Acupuncture

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease in which the protective cartilage surrounding the ends of bones in a joint slowly degrades. The process of joint degradation results in pain in several ways – usually when the cartilage wears away, or when the adjacent bones themselves start to come in contact with each other and rub together. It is the most frequent type of arthritis. Conventional Western modes of treatment include drugs, dietary modifications and exercise and weight adjustments to help manage the symptoms – there is no real cure for this condition.

The good news for people suffering from osteoarthritis is that acupuncture in Maitland works extremely well in managing the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis. This treatment has been thoroughly and extensively researched that oftentimes have led to positive results.

Your acupuncturist is well trained in treating various types of chronic joint pain and arthritis conditions. Most pain usually is seen by these professionals as due to issues with the soft tissue – fascia and muscles that have attached to cause radiating and dull pain. Arthritis comes into play when the movement of the individual is poor and he or she has persistent changes in the soft tissue.

According to Western medicine osteoarthritis currently has no cure. This is true in the sense that once the bones distort or the cartilage degenerates, there’s really no way to fix the problem. However, this doesn’t mean the individual needs to keep on suffering. Your acupuncturist regularly sees patients having arthritic changes symptoms and at the end of treatment, these patients leave the clinic pain-free. The effect of the treatment usually lasts for three to four weeks after which another round of treatment may be required until the condition resolves to almost permanent basis.

Acupuncturists may also be able to help patients with severe conditions meaning their joints have degraded so badly that no amount of acupuncture will relieve their pain. They can be identified quickly and if after two or treatments their pain hasn’t subsided, they probably would need more invasive treatments such as surgery to resolve their condition.

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.

How Acupuncture Works in Treating the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

One of humanity’s most debilitating conditions, osteoarthritis can greatly affect the quality of life and mobility of its victims. Over time, various types of anti-inflammatory medications have been created to address this problem but unfortunately, they all bring undesirable side effects to the patient. This has forced individuals to resort to alternative treatments such as acupuncture in the treatment of osteoarthritis in Miami.

It is a provable fact that an increasing number of people suffering from osteoarthritis are turning to traditional acupuncture therapy mainly because it does not cause negative side effects. In truth, a majority of people have tried acupuncture for the management of chronic pain associated with this enervating condition. But, what exactly is osteoarthritis and in what way can acupuncture contribute to the better management of this condition?

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is a condition mainly distinguished by issues related to the structure and function of the joints. This condition usually affects a single joint as well as the adjacent joint cover, joint lining, muscles, ligaments and the underlying joint. Sometimes, it can mean a progressive loss of cartilage in the body.

Various factors such as disease, injury, aging, and heredity can bring about osteoarthritis though usually it develops because of the degeneration of the cartilage. Cartilage is made up of a protein substance and its role is to serve as a “shock absorber” or “cushion” to prevent the bones from coming into contact with each other.

There are two types of osteoarthritis: primary and secondary osteoarthritis. The former typically develops due to the aging process when the joints gradually degenerate over time. Cartilage loss due to time causes the two adjacent joints to come into contact and grind on each other causing limited mobility and intense pain. The most common type of osteoarthritis seen is one that is hereditary.

Secondary osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is usually triggered by diseases or conditions such as hormonal disorder, obesity, gout, and diabetes. Your cartilage can suffer if you are obese since your weight increases the mechanical stresses between the joints. In fact, obesity is known as the second most significant risk factor for degenerative arthritis, based on studies. The number one risk factor is aging.

Osteoarthritis signs and symptoms may differ from person to person although the most common denominator for this disease is pain as well as limited mobility if the joints and joint stiffness. The Western conventional way of treating osteoarthritis focuses on the relief of the joint inflammation and pain. The treatments also are aimed at improving and maintaining the function of the joints.

What is Acupuncture? What are Its Benefits?

Acupuncture has been used for over 3500 years. It is used as a treatment for wide range of illnesses and conditions due to its very multiple health benefits. Serious clinical studies of this ancient therapy actually only began five decades ago. Because of acupuncture’s and traditional Chinese medicine’s huge present popularity, a lot of Western physicians and other medical professionals have developed a curiosity and keen interest on how this treatment works and its ability to relieve pain to osteoarthritis sufferers.

Illnesses, from the viewpoint of TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), are basically due to development of an imbalance or hindrance to the flow of vital energy known as chi or qi in the body. By means of acupuncture, these hindrances and imbalances can be rectified through the utilization of filiform and special needles.

TCM teaches us that the body possesses a dozen primary meridians or energy channels, thousands of acupuncture points, and eight secondary energy channels. When the acupoints are stimulated, it results in positive health benefits to specific organs in the body. Acupuncture is a procedure in which very thin needles penetrate the skin and are manipulated in such a way that it generates mild electrical impulses.

Acupuncture for the Management of Pain – Studies

There have been several studies conducted over time, to test whether acupuncture is effective or not in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Acupuncture, studies show, aids in the stimulation and creation of the body’s own natural painkillers known as endorphins. The endorphins that enter the bloodstream can help osteoarthritis patients to better cope with pain.

Acupoints are usually situated near the nerves. A dull achy feeling or a sensation of fullness can be felt when these nerves are stimulated. Muscle stimulation sets off signal transmission to the central nervous system, made up of the brain and the spinal cord to create endorphins. Endorphins are what the body creates in times of stress or pain. Along with other neurotransmitters, endorphins can help block the dispatching of pain signals to the brain. This causes the patient to feel less pain.

Studies Proving Acupuncture’s Ability to Resolve Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Acupuncture is a Chinese medical practice of sticking filiform needles into specific points in the body to bolster well being and health. It has been practiced for 3,000 years in China and other parts of East Asia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that more than 2 million American adults underwent acupuncture treatment in 2002. The traditional type of acupuncture has been the most researched acupuncture technique ever and it involves the use of metallic, solid, thin needles stuck into the skin and are manipulated with the hands or with electrical stimulation. Scientific studies in recent years have opened up more light into the potential benefits and possible mechanisms of acupuncture especially if they’re used for the treatment of painful illnesses like arthritis.

Improving function and providing alleviation of pain, acupuncture is ideal for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and can be an effective adjunct to conventional treatment. A controlled phase III randomized study that was sponsored by the NIAMS (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) and NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine), two of the many branches of the NIH (National Institutes of Health), tested the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee in Miami.

Around 570 patients with ages 50 years and above were used in this study. All of them were suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee. All patients were also experiencing osteoarthritis for at least a month prior to the beginning of the study. All of them neither had acupuncture treatment before nor had knee surgery in the previous 6 months. They also were not given any steroid injection. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three therapies: sham acupuncture, acupuncture and taking part in a control group that did self-help course for the management of their ailment in accordance with guidelines formulated by the Arthritis Foundation. The subjects were still administered with conventional medical care such as opioid painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, cox-2 selective inhibitors and other anti-inflammatory drugs.

This is the first time that a test of this magnitude was performed to see if acupuncture can resolve the functional impairment and alleviate the pain caused by of osteoarthritis of the knee. The outcomes showed that acupuncture truly was effective in terms of being an adjunct treatment to a conventional regimen of care which has led to the improvement of the quality of life of knee osteoarthritis sufferers.

In the United States, about 21 million adults suffer from osteoarthritis. This condition is one the most common causes of disability among adults which makes it more important to seek out a effective and alternative way of treatment to improve joint function and banish pain.

In another study done at the University of Maryland School of Medicine at Baltimore, Maryland, a total of 381 patients were given one of two types of acupuncture treatments. The subjects were divided into two groups with one group given true acupuncture while another group received sham acupuncture. All subjects were given a total of 24 treatments over a span of 26 weeks. The subjects treated with sham acupuncture were prevented from being able to know if needles were inserted at the proper acupoints. Each patient in both groups had a screen that prevented them from seeing the area of the knee where the treatment took place. They also had no idea what kind of acupuncture treatment they were receiving. A control group composed of 189 subjects watched total of 6, 2-hour group sessions for 3 months based on a self-help course sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation.

All the patient’s knee function and pain were evaluated after 4, 8, 14, and 26 weeks using standard measurement tools and standard arthritis research survey instruments. At the end of the eight week, the group treated with acupuncture exhibited a substantial improvement in function. At the end of the 14th week, a substantial subsiding of pain in the subjects treated with real acupuncture was noted, much more compared to the control and sham acupuncture groups. On average the group given true acupuncture experienced a 40% markdown of their pain and an almost 40% increase in function compared to baseline evaluations.

These studies prove the fact that acupuncture is a tried and tested adjunct treatment to Western modalities for the of treatment of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis Lifestyle and Home Remedies

You can easily manage your osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms by doing regular exercise and losing weight.

Individuals with OA should make it a point to avoid or lessen the stress and impact on the problematic joint. Bearing daily frequent pressure on the degenerating cartilage can only accelerate the damage. OA sufferers should avoid occupations that involve stressful and repetitive movements to help lessen trauma to the joints.

Exercise

This is an activity that is most recommended for people with OA regardless of how fit they are or their age. Exercise should involve routines that tonify the muscles as well as enhance general fitness.

If the joint is inactive for a long time, the joint can stiffen and the surrounding tissue can atrophy or waste away. Moderate exercises like low-impact aerobics and strength and power training provide important benefits for those with arthritis. These benefits include:

• Less stress and a better sense of well-being that can enable patients to cope much better with pain
• Enhanced strength that leads to endurance and balance
• Weight loss
• Improved flexibility and less stiffness of the knee cartilage

Exercise is very helpful for patients suffering from mild-to-moderate OA in the knee or hip.  Patients who perform resistance or aerobic exercise experience less pain, are more able to live an independent life and are less disabled compared to their fellow OA patients who do not exercise.

For OA sufferers, three kinds of exercises are recommended. These are:

• Endurance or aerobic exercise
• Range of motion exercise
• Strengthening exercise

Aerobic Exercise – This type of workout helps you lose weight and lessens joint inflammation. Low-impact aerobics can also support and stabilize the joint.  Walking and cycling are great as well as water exercise and swimming for people with OA. OA sufferers should avoid high-impact sports like racquetball, tennis, and jogging if doing so causes pain.

Range-of-Motion (ROM) Exercise – ROM exercises improve the degree of movement of your joints.  They practically are stretching exercises by another name. One of the most highly recommended ROM exercises for OA patients are tai chi and yoga since they promote proper breathing, balance and flexibility.

Strengthening Exercises – These are workouts that can include isometric exercises (pulling/pushing against static resistance). Isometric training benefits the person by improving digestion, increasing bone density, building muscle strength and burning fat.  Those with OA in the knees or hips will need strengthening exercises that tonify their upper leg muscles.

Weightlifting exercises can build muscles that have been lost with age. They also keep the bones strong and healthy.

Losing weight

Being obese or overweight only serves to exacerbate your OA symptoms.  Excess weight adds more pressure on the damaged joints making it increasingly hard for the body to repair them. The joints most affected by excess weight are those in the lower limbs. They bear an inordinate amount of your weight especially if you are obese or overweight.

You can lessen your weight by eating a healthier diet and performing more physical activities. You can consult with your physiotherapist or physician to help formulate a workout program for you. They can devise a proper exercise program for you. Your doctor can likewise advise you on the proper and safe way to lose weight.

 

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18455 Burbank Blvd #306
Tarzana, CA 91356
(818) 578-6730
http://www.vickeryhealth.com/