Acupuncture for Arthritis
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 is affected. Most people over the age of 50 show some signs of arthritis. Fortunately, arthritis can often be managed with Acupuncture.
Arthritis is not just the wear and tear of a joint. It is actually a complex disorder that comprises more than 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at any stage of life. 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 the symptom of persistent joint pain.
According to Chinese medical theory, arthritis arises when the cyclical flow of Qi (energy) in the body becomes blocked. This blockage is called "bi" type pain. It is widely studied and successfully treated using a combination of acupuncture and/or Chinese herbs.
Acupuncture has been found to be extremely effective at treating the pain and inflammation associated with all types of arthritis. Acupuncture aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual to restore imbalances found in the body. Therefore, if 10 patients are treated with acupuncture for joint pain, each of these 10 patients may receive a unique, customized treatment with different acupuncture points and different lifestyle and diet recommendations.
Your acupuncturist will examine you, take a look at the onset of your condition and learn your signs and symptoms to determine your diagnosis, and choose the appropriate acupuncture points and treatment plan. The number and frequency of treatments will vary. Typical treatments last from 30 to 45 minutes, with the patient being treated one or two times a week. Some symptoms are relieved after the first treatment, while more severe or chronic ailments often require multiple treatments.
The popularity of acupuncture for arthritis continues to grow because more and more people have found significant relief from pain while decreasing their reliance on pharmaceuticals.
