Arthritis Pain

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease where low-grade inflammation causes joint pain. This inflammation results in abnormal cartilage wearing, and affects the joint’s cushion and protection. Eventually this wearing may result in a decrease in the joint's lubricating synovial fluid, and severe pathology including decreased ability to move, walk, stand, etc. It is important to remember that arthritis should not be considered normal, or an unavoidable result of old age. Arthritis is not just caused by normal wear and tear. Inflammation, whether extreme or low grade is always a pathological condition. Over 21 million Americans are diagnosed with arthritis, and arthritis sufferers consume half of all NSAID (asprin, celebrex, vioxx etc.) in the country! This is particularly troublesome considering the severe side effects of NSAIDS (Vioxx was taken off the market because it increased risk for heart attacks, while aspirin causes Gastro-Intestinal bleeding and ulcers).

Studies have found effective alternatives to these drugs including glucosamine, chondrontin, MSN, Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oils), vitamin D, or glycosaminoglycan hyaluronic acid.

According to ArthritisSupport.com, “Treatment with acupuncture needles significantly reduced pain and eased movement for patients with arthritic knees who were taking pain medicine, according to the largest and most rigorous study to date of the ancient treatment.”

The new findings offer hope to the 20 million Americans with osteoarthritis, many of whom have chronic pain despite taking medicine daily, and who are looking for safe alternatives to the popular pain drugs that have been linked to heart attacks and strokes.

The new results also mark the most significant proof yet that acupuncture, first practiced in China more than 2,000 years ago, is a useful and safe treatment for some illnesses. The study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine, is part of the government's multimillion-dollar effort to test alternative medical therapies using scientific methods.
"We now have a new adjunct therapy for millions of patients with degenerative arthritis," said Dr. Stephen E. Straus, director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which helped fund the study.”

Acupuncture modulates the hormones and proteins related to inflammation and can reprogram the body to reduce inflammation. The use of moxabustion (a form of Chinese heat therapy) increases synovial fluids in the joints promoting improved joint function and reduction of pain.