Acumed Can Treat

Arthritis in Conventional Western Medicine & Chinese Medicine

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, chemically-induced arthritis, Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis and gout are all types of arthritis that are differentiated in conventional Western medicine. The most commonly seen forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

The joint pain of osteoarthritis is primarily due to the gradual loss of protective cartilage. Physical injury or mechanical stress can break down the cartilage which cushions the ends of the bones from rubbing against each other. As a result, bones begin to grate against each other, producing pain and further degeneration.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This is the most severe type of inflammatory joint disease. It is an auto-immune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, damaging joints and the surrounding soft tissue. Painful, stiff and deformed joints of the hands, arms, feet and legs are commonly seen.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are the main weapon that conventional medical doctors prescribe for chronic inflammatory arthritis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibupofen, gold compounds and steroid-based drugs such as corticosteroids and immuno-suppressive drugs are widely used for arthritis. Long-term use of these medications can produce side effects such as stomach irritation, gastritis and ulcers. An exercise programme and KORE therapy are helpful for osteoarthritis patients to maintain a satisfactory level of activity. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids are provided for short-term relief.

Arthritis in Chinese Medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine, the condition that is congruent with arthritis is called “Bi syndrome”. Bi syndrome manifests as pain, soreness, or numbness of muscles, tendons and joints, and is the result of the body being "invaded" by the external climatological factors of Wind, Cold, Heat, and/or Dampness. The symptoms manifested by the individual depend on which external pathogenic factor is strongest. The four main patterns of Bi syndrome are differentiated below, and the leading treatments that are used to treat each pattern are listed.

Wind Pattern

Exposure to wind, especially when one is unprotected and exposed to the wind for a long time, is an important cause of the Wind pattern of arthritis. Any Wind pattern is characterised by movement of symptoms from place to place. In the case of Wind Bi, there is joint soreness and pain which moves from joint to joint. Movement of joints is limited, and there is often fever, as well as an aversion to wind, or windy weather.

Acupuncture can get rid of wind symptoms, and alsoTui Na (Chinese medical massage) and KORE therapy.

Cold Pattern

The Cold pattern of arthritis (Cold Bi) is characterised by severe pain in a joint or muscle. This pain has a fixed location, rather than moving about (as in Wind Bi). The pain is relieved by applying warmth to the affected area, but increases with exposure to cold. Movement of joints is limited.  Leading treatments for this pattern includes Moxibustion, Acupuncture, Tui Na and KORE therapy.

Damp Pattern

The Damp pattern of arthritis (Damp Bi) is characterised by pain, soreness and swelling in muscles and joints, with a feeling of heaviness and numbness in the limbs. The pain has a fixed location and is aggravated by damp weather.

Leading treatments for this pattern include Acupuncture to remove dampness, Tui Na and KORE therapy.

Heat Pattern

The Heat pattern of arthritis (Hot Bi) can develop from any of the above three patterns. It is characterised by severe pain and hot-red-swollen joints. The pain is generally relieved by applying cold to the joints. Other symptoms include fever, thirst, anxiety, and an aversion to wind.

Leading treatments for this pattern include Acupuncture to remove heat and inflammation, Tui Na and KORE therapy. 

Time-tested treatments, Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Tui Na and KORE therapy have been proven to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve the circulation and nourish and strengthen the joints. It has been used by millions of people over the last millennium. All treatments are natural and have no side-effects.

The Effect of Acupuncture on Arthritis

Acupuncture can increase blood circulation to joints, and thus their absorption of calcium as well as the removal of noxious elements. It can also increase the production of synovial fluid to keep joints better lubricated. In addition it reduces inflammation and swelling as it stops pain. These well documented effects of acupuncture are what allow it to treat both types of arthritis. Acupuncture treatments can therefore eliminate the symptoms of arthritis and slow down the progression of the disease. And it is able to do this without any of the long-term side-effects associated with most anti-inflammatory drugs used for arthritis.

When considering acupuncture for the treatment of arthritis there are some important considerations to keep in mind. The fastest results will be seen in patients with a relatively short history of either type of arthritis. Those with chronic cases of 10 or more years with arthritis will need 8 to 10 acupuncture treatments to notice a positive change in their condition. The longer a person has arthritis, the longer it may take to eliminate the symptoms. While acupuncture cannot reverse any deformity of the joint that has already occurred, it can slow down and stop further destruction and additional negative symptoms. It is commonly combined with Chinese herbal medicine to strengthen the results. In tandem with herbs, or by itself, acupuncture offers arthritis sufferers a legitimate and effective option to reduce the symptoms that negatively impact their lives and stop the disease’s worsening progression.

 
Research

Modern scientific research has also revealed the mechanisms which provide relief for arthritis patients. Studies show that acupuncture can stimulate the production of endorphins (natural pain-killing hormones in the brain), and the anti-inflammatory hormone adrenalcorticotropin. The acupuncture needles trigger the body to heal itself by producing hormones that reduce pain and inflammation. Acupuncture can then be used on an ongoing basis to prevent re-occurrence of arthritis once it has been successfully treated.