Acupuncture for Arthritis

Studies reveal that osteoarthritis (OA) affects
approximately 2.46 million people in their knees
and 4.71 million in their hip region in the UK

Studies found that women are more commonly affected
than men and that arthritis does not have a one-size-fits-all treatment,
it’s a complex disorder with more than 100 different conditions that can affect you at any stage of your life.

Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the two most common forms of this condition.

 

Arthritis develops when the circulation within the joints becomes weak or blocked, causing inflammation of the joint. The result can be pain, discomfort or immobility, which can flare under certain circumstances.

Chinese medicine theory is that blood & fluids travel through the body in circulations called jingluo 經絡 - which translated means 'Channels and Network Vessels'. Symptoms are understood as manifestations of disruptions within the physiology of these Channels and Network Vessels. This can be for a variety of reasons: some physical - such as a local injury - and some psychological - such as stress and emotional issues.

Could acupuncture for arthritis help you?
During your Initial Consultation & Treatment we go through your medical history and combine these with a Chinese medicine diagnosis of any symptoms you have.

Alongside discussing the specific symptoms, diagnostic techniques such as Channel palpation, pulse & tongue diagnosis are used to identify issues within the local and systemic circulations.

Once a clear diagnosis has been made, we use fine metal needles, in specific points, to stimulate the physiology along these circulations, strengthening them where it has become weak or clearing it where it has become congested or blocked, helping reduce inflammation and restoring normal physiological function. This will provide short-term relief as well as longer-term benefits.

After a study conducted in Germany, 304 674 people who suffer from knee osteoarthritis reported less pain and stiffness after acupuncture.  Sessions were done in conjunction with their regular medical care and the improvement in symptoms occurred after a few weeks of acupuncture.

Where do the needles go?
We generally use a combination of ‘local’ and ‘distal’ points. ‘Local’ points are on located near the site of any issues we wish to address. ‘Distal’ points are on your arms and legs, below your elbows and knees, that influence the circulation through the entire length of the Channels and Network Vessels.

I will always discuss what points I am going to use first and make sure that you feel comfortable.

How much treatment do I need?
Treatment is recommended regularly (about every 1 to 2 weeks) while you have symptoms, and then, as health is restored, you may be advised to have treatment from time-to-time, to keep your system healthy.

We observe closely how you respond to treatment in order to develop a treatment plan. It may require a course of treatment to feel the benefit and on-going treatment to help manage it, once it feels better.