Acupuncture for arthritis
Feeling strong again
Acupuncture can often help ease the pain and inflammation of arthritis, which is a widespread problem affecting huge numbers of people in their daily lives.
The goal of acupuncture treatment for arthritis is to help re-establish a healthy circulation of blood and energy in the area, dispersing swelling and stagnation. Electroacupuncture is often useful, where a gentle current is applied across the needles to stimulate the local circulation. Moxa treatment may be useful too, where a smouldering herb is used to warm the needles or the skin.
Acupuncture addresses our health holistically, aiming to strengthen us and bring us back into better balance. Together with lifestyle advice this may also be able to help with other factors contributing to your arthritis.
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Research |
A 2003 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that rheumatoid arthritis is one of the conditions "for which acupuncture has been proved - through controlled trials - to be an effective treatment". Lower back pain, neck pain, periarthritis of the shoulder, and sciatica are also included in this category. Osteoarthritis is a condition "for which the therapeutic effect of acupuncture has been shown but for which further proof is needed."
A 2004 US study showed a 40% reduction in pain and a 40% improvement in knee function for arthritis patients treated with acupuncture, see BBC article (1). |
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Other conditions
Acupuncture can help with a wide range of health problems, click below to find out more:
Detailed references
(1) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4111047.stm, referring to Berman, Brian et al (2004). Effectiveness of Acupuncture as Adjunctive Therapy in Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine 141: 901 - 910, see http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/abstract/141/12/901
© Jessica Kennedy 2005-8, all rights reserved