Acupuncture for Arthritis

Mar 19, 2012

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis.  Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to reduce joint pain, swelling, and stiffness which comes from arthritis.

Acupuncture and Arthritis Symptoms

Acupuncture for arthritis of the back

Pain and stiffness are the most common symptoms from arthritis.  Arthritis can effect both small joints, such as the hands and feet, as well as larger joints, such as the hips, back, knees, and shoulder.   Arthritis may cause your joints to crack, swell, and have limited movement.

Acupuncture works to relieve pain and stiffness of arthritis by stimulating the release of natural pain relievers, such as opioids, as well as regulating pain relieving opioid receptors.  Acupuncture also changes the way the nervous system feels pain, helping to relieve pain for long periods of time.   In addition, acupuncture has an anti-inflammatory effect, reducing the circulating inflammatory hormones in the blood (1).  Many clinical trials of acupuncture have shown acupuncture to be effective for reducing pain in patients with arthritis (2).

Acupuncture view of Arthritis

Most people with arthritis experience greater pain in the cold and damp weather.  In acupuncture and Chinese medicine, the reason this occurs is because the cold and damp impede circulation in the joints.  The lack of circulation leads pain, stiffness, and swelling.   The goal of the acupuncture is to increase circulation and warm the joints to relieve pain.

What is the Acupuncture treatment for arthritis like?

During the first visit, we will complete a medical history and physical examination, which focuses on an examination of effected and painful joints.  Acupuncture diagnosis and treatment focuses on identifying the specific root imbalance causing the condition and tailoring the treatment for you.

In addition to the acupuncture, treatment often includes manual therapies such as tui na (acupressure), cupping, and heat.  Electroacupuncture is particularly effective for pain relief in arthritis.

Acupuncture is most effective through a treatment course.  The treatment should decrease pain and inflammation and improve mobility in the joints.  Many people find rapid relief, within a few weeks of beginning the treatment. For others, it may take longer to have an effect. Generally, patients come in for acupuncture once to twice a week depending on the severity, and gradually get acupuncture less frequently.  The treatment course generally last 2-4 months.   Often, patients will experience be long lasting pain relief.

References:

1. Napadow V, Ahn A, Longhurst J, et.al. The Status and Future of Acupuncture Mechanism Research. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 September; 14(7): 861–869.

2.  Berman BM, Lao L, Langenberg P, Lee WL, Gilpin AMK, Hochberg MC. Effectiveness of Acupuncture as Adjunctive Therapy in Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2004; 141(12):901910.

Tags: Acupuncture, acupuncture treatment, acupuncture works, arthritis, balance, chinese medicine, cupping, electroacupuncture, hands and feet, heat, inflammation, joints, knees, nervous, pain
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Acupuncture and Chinese herbs for Pompholyx Eczema

Sep 13, 2010

Pompholyx eczema is a specific type of eczema on the hands and feet that causes vesicles, itching, and often fissures.   This can occur on the palms and fingers in the hand and the soles of the feet.   Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help relieve the itching, swelling, vesicle, and inflammation in pompholyx eczema. The goal is to regulate the underlying imbalance causing the eczema, which can lead to long term improvement.

It is called also called dyshidrotic eczema because people with this condition often experience excess sweating from the palms of the hands.

Chinese herbs are thought to regulate the immune system to treat pompholyx eczema.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Imbalances for Pompholyx Eczema

The goal of acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment is to correct the underlying imbalance in the body that is causing your condition. To determine what the specific imbalance is, we examine the skin, take the pulse, look at the tongue, and inquire about your overall health. Each of these factors is considered when determining the imbalance.

The most common acupuncture imbalances in pompholyx eczema is damp heat.  Imbalances in Chinese medicine describe characteristics of the eczema.  For example, redness in the skin, yellow crusting, and inflammation are sign of heat.  Swelling and vesicles is often a reflection of damp heat. The itch is a sign of dampness.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Treatment for Pompholyx Eczema

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs work to decrease the inflammation causing the eczema.  For pompholyx eczema, Chinese herbs are taken in the form of a tea as well as topical herbal soaks for the skin.  Acupuncture is helpful to reduce the itch and regulate the immune system.

Generally I want to see decrease in itching, inflammation, and creation of vesicles within 4-6 weeks.  The entire treatment course generally lasts 3-4 months.

Because in acupuncture and Chinese medicine we teat the root cause of the condition, we can see significant reduction in the symptoms long after the treatment has finished.

Tags: Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, chinese medicine, eczema, hands and feet, health, herbs, inflammation
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