Dr. Matthew Enright of Parkland, Florida has dealt with a lot of arthritis cases before with great success. His methods are based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. This treatment regimen has been used for centuries to bring relief from all kinds of pain. Aside from acupuncture, the regimen also involves the use of Chinese herbs which have been known to improve patients’ wellbeing even after a protracted illness. In this piece we shall be focusing on acupuncture as a viable treatment for arthritis.
Here is more on the condition…
There are various types of arthritis; however, the most common type is osteoarthritis which attacks as the person ages. Millions of aging Americans are affected by the condition which attacks the protective tissue or cartilage giving support at the edge of the bone. The condition starts gradually as the person gets older and worsens over time. The condition can affect any part of the body though it is commonly known to affect the lower back, hands, knees, and hip.
Types and symptoms of arthritis commonly treated
Most people are affected by hip arthritis, which makes it difficult to walk. This type of arthritis is complex and not easily diagnosed. Foot and ankle arthritis can also affect a person’s ability to walk and can attack any of the 30 bones that make up the foot. Shoulder arthritis is usually seen in the aging population therefore your chances of getting the disease increases as you age. Other types of the condition include hand osteoarthritis, spinal osteoarthritis and cervical osteoarthritis, which is also referred to as cervical spondylosis.
Joint pains are common with osteoarthritis. The pain is felt when the person applies pressure to the joint usually trying to use it as normal. Pain can also be felt in the morning when you wake up or after a long spell of inactivity, which is also accompanied by some joint stiffness.
People suffering from one form of the condition also feel a grating sensation upon using the joint as well as bone spurs and lack of flexibility. Bone spurs result from bone tissue formed around the joint that feels like lumps.
Causes of osteoarthritis
Bones are protected at the ends with cartilage. The tissue is slippery so that the joint can move without friction. When this cartilage wears, it can cause friction at the joint as bones start rubbing against each other.
Obesity is one of the major causes of the condition since extra weight puts unnecessary pressure on the joints. Additionally, such people have extra fat tissue which deposits harmful proteins at the joints which cause inflammation. Osteoarthritis can also be caused by injury or bone deformity.
The condition may also be caused by exerting pressure on certain joints for too long due to the type of work one does. Women are more likely to experience the condition than men. Osteoarthritis can also be inherited from your lineage.
Western medical treatments for the condition
Treatment begins with an X-ray scan which the doctor uses to check the condition of your joints as well as their structure. Redness, swelling or tenderness can also mean that you have to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Joint fluid analysis and blood tests are also done.
Once a diagnosis is made, you may be put on acetaminophens which treat pain in the joints. You may also have to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These don’t need a prescription; you can simply buy them over the counter and are used for pain relief. Patients are also advised to go for physical therapy to increase joint strength. Therapy may also include occupational therapy for people in professions that exert pressure on affected joints.
How to treat Osteoarthritis with Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture is a well-known form of therapy that is safe and effective when it comes to treating different types of pain. Thin sterile needles are painlessly inserted below the skin at specific areas of the body. The needles trigger the release of the body’s internal pain relief mechanism which is aided by two neurotransmitters; enkephalins and endorphins. Acupuncture also promotes the release of cortisol which is an anti-inflammatory hormone. All treatment done in this manner comes with zero side effects unlike most pharmaceutical treatments. Acupuncture can also be used in combination with Chinese herbs which provide synergistic healing.
Research showing the efficacy of acupuncture for osteoarthritis
Dr. Brian Berman from the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine is the head of the Center for Integrative Medicine. In 2004, the professor conducted a 26-week study involving a large number of participants suffering from osteoarthritis. According to the professor’s findings, all patients felt relief from their pain and could walk for longer distances without feeling the same amount of pain. According to the doctor, acupuncture triggers a sequence of pain-relieving events in the patient’s body.
Dr. James Dillard, a pain specialist at Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at Columbia University, has also endorsed the anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture. According to Dr. Dillard’s clinical research, acupuncture works better for easing inflammation than any NSAIDs out there.
Are you suffering from osteoarthritis? We can help. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can restore any effects of the condition and get you back to your normal levels of activity within several sessions. You get a free consultation when you contact us. If you live in the Parkland Florida area, reach out and see what good acupuncture can do for you and how well it can reverse your condition.