Arthritis is a general term for a variety of diseases relating to the health of the joints. While the underlying causes of arthritis are often very different, depending on the specific disease, the symptoms are often quite similar. The most common arthritis symptoms are joint pain, swelling and inflammation, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. The two most common are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. While the symptoms may be similar, the causes of these two common diseases are very different.
- Osteoarthritis involves the gradual decay of the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bone. As the cartilage becomes damaged, the bones begin to grind against each other with every joint movement. The joint lining can become inflamed. Osteoarthritis can lead to deterioration of the connective tissues holding the bones and muscles together and can even lead to changes in the bone itself.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The body’s immune system begins to attack the synovial membrane, a tough membrane encapsulating the joint parts. As a result, the synovial membrane becomes inflamed and swollen. Eventually, the disease begins to cause damage to the cartilage and bone at the joint.
How Acupuncture Help for Arthritis
Acupuncture addresses the inflammation and muscular guarding, and tension that occurs around the joint spaces. This decrease in tension allows for minor irritation in the joints and a marked reduction in pain. Acupuncture is also beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis: while it may not improve already damaged joints, it does give much pain relief. More importantly, however, acupuncture works to reduce inflammation and also improves the dysfunctional immune system.
The popularity of acupuncture as a treatment for Arthritis grows because more and more people have found significant relief from Acupuncture without the adverse effects that sometimes accompany conventional medicine. The best results for a drastic reduction in pain and inflammation caused by arthritis are seen by combining conventional medicine with Traditional Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture, Herbs, and Therapeutic Massage.
