Arthritis is not a single disease, but an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. There are in, fact more than 100 different types of arthritis. Common symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of movement (1).
There are various types of arthritis but the two main types we see clinically are;
- Osteoarthritis; Disease of cartilage in the joint and underlying bone
- Rheumatoid; An autoimmune disease initially affecting the synovial membrane
However, Acupuncturee may be effective for various other tppes of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis (O.A)
Osteoarthritis as described above is a degenerative process beginning in the articular cartridge of a joint. The irritation caused by the degeneration eventually leads to inflammation. Degenerative changes appear long before the start of symptoms such as pain or swelling. Osteoarthritis manifests in middle age, and not ‘just a normal ageing process’. However can be a result of excessive mechanical demands on a joint. In osteoarthritis we normally see;
- Pain after rest and sustained use
- Tenderness around a joint
- Stiffness of the joint
- Deformity
- Giving away of the joint for example; knee when standing
- X-Ray may show a decreased joint space, presence of osteophytes (bone spurs/projections), or sclerosis (an abnormal increase in density and hardening of bone) of pressure area and subchondral bone
Rheumatoid Arthritis (R.A)
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that begins in the synovial fluid membrane and is sustain by an auto-immune process. The cause has not yet been established, however sometimes their are familial and dietary factors identified. Most (75%) of sufferers are positive for a protein called rheumatoid factor in their blood, but 25% are actually seronegative, the prognosis for the later are better. Symtoms associated with R.A are;
- The initial onset is systemic (entire body symptoms) which could include; fatigue, weight loss, generalised muscle pains. This is then followed by joint pain and swelling, especially after rest. Then swelling and deformity of the joint.
- Symmetric joint swelling
- Starts in small joints
- More common in women
- Started between ages of 25-55 years old
- X-Ray in early stages there is diffuse rarefaction of the bone
- X-Ray in later stages show decreased joint space and sclerosis and secondary degenerative changes
How does Acupuncture help arthritis?
Acupuncture can be a supportive therapy to assist with the pain, inflammation and swelling associated with Arthritis.
Acupuncture may assist by;
- Provide pain relief; Acupuncture triggers production of your body’s own natural pain relieving endorphins, reduces pain signalling to the brain and influences neurotransmitters associated with pain (like serotonin)
- Reduces inflammation; Acupuncture has been shown to lower inflammatory markers, improve local blood flow and support healing response, which reduces swelling and stiffness in the area.
- Improves joint mobility; Clinical research suggests that Acupuncture may improve range of motion, reduce stiffness and therefore support better movement patterns (4)
- Regulate the immune system; In autoimmune types of arthritis such as rheumatoid Acupuncture may modulate immune activity and reduce the overactive inflammatory response.
