According to various medical studies, 1 out of every 4 American adults suffer from arthritis. That’s over 50 million people experiencing pain and discomfort due to this disability, every day.
As a person ages, it becomes almost impossible to avoid arthritic pain. Fortunately, a number of natural reliefs exist, one of the most effective ones being acupuncture.
Arthritis in Effect
Arthritis is more than just one disease. It is a disorder that encompasses various conditions that affect individuals of varying ages.
Arthritis is classified into several forms; however only two of these are the most commonly occurring ones:
- Osteoarthritis (OA):is the more commonly occurring of the two, affecting the joints by causing the breakdown of cartilage that holds them. Commonly affected areas include joints of the fingers, spine, pelvis and knees. This results in severe pain and rigidness in these areas.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA):not only affects various joints, but extends to the lungs and circulatory system. The linings of the joints, called synovium, become inflamed, causing pain, swelling and redness along the affected area. The joints may lose their natural shape, resulting in restricted mobility.
Although these two forms have different risk factors, causes and afflictions, one symptom remains consistently the same – joint pain.
Arthritis and Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves stimulating certain points in the body through insertion of needles. These points contribute to the flow of energy called Qi (chee).
As a practiced acupuncturist applies the needles to certain parts of the body, the flow of Qi is restored, balanced and improved. The affected area is soothed, relieved of pain, and reenergized.
By freeing the cyclical flow of Qi, this ancient Chinese practice of using needles can help in managing various kinds of body pain, including the pain of arthritis in areas where the needles are applied.
With acupuncture, arthritis is not treated as one particular problem. Instead, this technique targets specific symptoms that make up the disorder, each of which is addressed through a customized plan of treatment.
Acupuncture Treatment
A practiced acupuncturist will examine your condition, identify the form of arthritis by analyzing the signs and symptoms, and then choose the correct acupuncture points.
The acupuncture points to treat arthritis are not limited to the pain area, but are in fact located all over the body, including the arms, shoulders and legs.
The numbers of arthritis acupuncture sessions vary from once or twice a week to more, with the length of each session depending on the severity of symptoms.
At the Acupuncture Center of Bradenton, we can help provide you with effective acupuncture treatment for arthritis, so that you achieve pain relief and comfort in everyday life.
Get in touch with us to learn more about our acupuncture services.