What Are Some Other Natural Treatments
Acupuncture isnt the only natural treatment that may help relieve pain from RA.
Alternating heat and cold can also reduce swelling, and thus decrease pain. Use ice packs for 15 minutes at a time, followed by a warm and damp towel or a heating pad.
Tai chi can also be beneficial. The slow movement of the martial art can get the blood flowing and increase flexibility. Additional exercises may be helpful as well, especially water exercise.
Supplements like fish oil my help with RA, according to some studies. It can especially be helpful in reducing morning stiffness.
Other natural treatments include:
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Acupuncture And Pain Relief
There is a saying in Chinese medicine, When there is free flow there is no pain, when there is pain there is no free flow. Acupuncture and moxibustion encourage blood circulation by repairing blockages. This results in pain alleviation.
Interestingly, one of the classical needling techniques in acupuncture is called barrier method . This needling is done around the connective tissue of the joints as they insert into the bones. This technique is good for pain in the joints and treats tendon issues. In the video the guan ci technique is shown in conjunction with warm needle moxibustion to reduce inflammation and relieve knee pain.
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Acupuncture Beats Drugs For Knee Pain And Inflammation
- 01 March 2017
Researchers confirm that acupuncture is more effective than two drugs for long-term relief of knee osteoarthritis pain, inflammation, and motor impairment. In one investigation, acupuncture plus herbal medicine outperformed acupuncture plus ibuprofen for pain relief. In another independent investigation, acupuncture outperformed diclofenac for relief of pain, inflammation, and motor impairment due to knee osteoarthritis. Lets take a look at both investigations.
Acupuncture plus herbs outperforms ibuprofen for the alleviation of knee pain, inflammation, and dysfunction. Guangxi Lingshan County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers investigated the benefits of drugs, electroacupuncture, and herbal medicine for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. The results of the randomized-controlled clinical trial finds acupuncture plus herbs more effective than the ibuprofen plus acupuncture protocol.
- Liangqiu
- Heding
- Ashi
A total of 60 patients were treated and evaluated in the study. They were randomly divided into the acupuncture plus herbs treatment group and the acupuncture plus ibuprofen control group, with 30 patients in each group. Both groups received identical electroacupuncture therapy the treatment group was treated with Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, while the control group was treated with ibuprofen sustained release capsules.
- Dang Gui
Additional herbs were prescribed according to individual symptoms, for arthralgia the following herbs were added:
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Acupuncture And Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can either refer to pain within the joint, like a torn rotator cuff, or pain within the muscle of the trapezius. This ailment is often due to overuse, sprain, strain or overall tension from stress or poor posture. You know the phrase, carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders? No wonder, because the shoulders are a key part of our bodies for carrying, lifting and support.
Chirstian says, From a physical point of view, its measurably difficult to apply strength to the arm when the shoulder is severely injured. From an emotional side, our bodies hold onto the burdens and stress that life has to throw at us resulting in tension within the shoulders. This is where both movement and relaxation are imperative to overcoming the problem. When theres pain from a Chinese Medicine point of view, its safe to assume that circulation has been impeded in some way. Both trauma and stress can impede blood circulation and fluids in our bodies, resulting in pain or discomfort. With movement, circulation will improve, and with relaxation, the muscles that are contracted around the vessels will no longer be restricted. Then, they can have the opportunity to flow properly.
No Two Patients Treated Alike
Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine, with a rich history and lineage dating back thousands of years. It involves inserting hair-thin needles into the body to promote pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.
No two patients are treated alike. Some patients find relief with needles alone. Others need a more involved technique, such as electro-acupuncture .
Patients with knee arthritis respond particularly well to electro-acupuncture. When knee arthritis is mild or moderate, a limited number of sessions produce very good results. When arthritis is more advanced, or bone-on-bone, ongoing acupuncture is needed.
Acupuncture can also be combined with conventional treatments, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy and/or injections. In addition, acupuncture can provide short-term pain relief until knee replacement surgery is performed.
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The Shady Side Of The Mountain
The acupuncture point is present on the inner side of the legs, right beneath the bulge on the thighs and at the cap of the ankle bone. Administration of acupuncture at this point helps in relieving knee cramps, muscular tension in the legs, water retention in the knee joints, swelling and edema.
The administration of acupuncture at this point regularly helps in providing relief against knee pain, muscular tension in the knees, and muscular strain.
Why See A Chartered Physiotherapist For Acupuncture
Because of the research evidence demonstrating the benefits in terms of improvements to peoples quality of life when they receive acupuncture treatment, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy have since many years accepted acupuncture as a modality of Physiotherapy treatment it is officially part of a Chartered Physiotherapists professional skill set .
If you choose a Physiotherapist to provide your acupuncture treatment, you may well also receive massage, exercises, advice about knee supports, or ultrasound as well it is a broader package of care than acupuncture alone.
Note: Our highly trained osteopaths also offer acupuncture if you choose to combine these two treatments. You can find out more by getting in contact either by phone or email.
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How Does Acupuncture Work
Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine that uses very fine needles inserted into the skin on specific areas of the body. The goal of acupuncture is to remedy pain and other ailments by addressing the internal energy flow of a persons qi , or energy flow. When there are blockages or imbalances in the flow of energy, the body may experience inflammation, pain, illness, or a variety of other symptoms. A trained acupuncturist is able to use acupuncture needles to stimulate a specific area of the body, like the knee, back, or neck, that is blocked and then release energy blockages so it will flow freely again, and the body can begin healing.
How To Massage Zu San Li
Sit comfortably and find the zu san li point. Press on the point and slowly massage in a clockwise direction. Massage deeply, using firm pressure. You can do one leg at a time.
Keep your breath and mind calm to help you to stay present and relaxed. You can massage this point as often as you like. You may feel a stimulating effect, so you may not want to massage this point right before you go to sleep.
Try to make it a daily practice and see if you notice any changes in your health.
If you choose to go to an acupuncturist, make sure that person is licensed in your state. Acupuncture has very few risk factors and side effects when its done by someone who is properly trained and who uses sterile needles.
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Phase Iii: Statistical Methods
Data synthesis
We will use the random-effects or fixed-effects model for the meta-analysis, if possible. Review Manager software , Version 5.3 Copenhagen: The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2014) will be used to conduct the meta-analysis and calculate the RR with the 95% CI for dichotomous data, and the MD with the 95% CI for continuous data. If heterogeneity is not high , then the RR and MD will be calculated by the fixed-effects model otherwise, the random-effects model will be used. If quantitative synthesis is not appropriate, we will report the results as the narrative description.
Assessment of heterogeneity
Heterogeneity will be investigated by the I2 and 2 tests. Significant heterogeneity will be assumed if I2 is > 50%, which is the cut-off point for our I2 statistical analysis. If significant heterogeneity is observed, then we will conduct a subgroup analysis to explore the possible causes.
Subgroup analysis
Subgroup analysis will be performed to assess the heterogeneity between the studies. The analysis will include the acupuncture type , type of control, countries and different outcomes.
Sensitivity analysis
Assessment of reporting biases
If a sufficient number of included studies are available, then the publication bias will be evaluated using funnel plots. We will also examine impacts of possible selective reporting, reporting deviations from the original protocols, effect of protocol compliance and adherence.
Contact Urban Acupuncture Center In Columbus Oh For More Information
For more information about how acupuncture, massage therapy and other alternative healing treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturists team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville 426-4406 or . Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
CONTACT US:
4392 Indianola Ave, Columbus OH, 43214 | 725-2488405 W. Main St, Westerville OH, 43081 | 426-4406
MISSION:
Our mission is to serve and strengthen our community by providing acupuncture treatment. We believe strongly in acupunctures place in healthcare. Acupunctures potential as a viable healing modality cannot be fully realized if its inaccessible. Urban Acupuncture provides both affordable and accessible healthcare to the public by offering treatment in a community setting.
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What If I Dont Notice A Difference
Wheeler: Ask your acupuncturist about utilizing a different technique or perhaps referring you to another practitioner. There are some people who may not respond to acupunctureor for whom acupuncture is part of a larger treatment plan. Ultimately, if there is continued degeneration of the joint, surgery may be necessary. Acupuncture can also help with postoperative pain to reduce the need for opioids or help stimulate the bodys healing.
This story originally ran in Preventions February 2019 issue. For more stories like this one, .
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How Acupuncture Benefits Arthritis
The actual method by which acupuncture reduces pain and inflammation remains unclear. Proposed theories include anti-inflammatory effects from needle insertion by suppressing inflammatory responses, improving blood flow, and relaxing muscles. While acupuncture cannot cure or reverse arthritis, it may be useful for managing pain and decreasing associated symptoms, especially in conjunction with other treatment options.
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Why Use Acupuncture For Knee Osteo
Oakwood Physiotherapy Clinic owner Caroline Kunzler is a Chartered Physiotherapist and trained acupuncturist. She says that many studies show acupuncture is effective for treating the pain associated with osteo-arthritis of the knees and other joints. It is safe, easy to use and helpful for patients, even when their arthritis is fairly advanced. She also highlights acupunctures demonstrated effectiveness over alternative treatments such as glucosamine tablets.
Runners Knee: How Acupuncture Can Help
One of the most common aliments for any athlete is knee pain, as I know all too well from personal experience. I played soccer as a child and teen as much as I could in all types of weather. I loved it. Indoors, outdoors, in snow, in hot humid weather I was there. In soccer, the knees are utilized for running and for maneuvering the ball. There is a lot riding on healthy knees for soccer players to be successful. I began to get knee pain my junior year of high school from all the years of playing. All the MRIs and x-rays told the doctors nothing. They couldnt find any tears or breaks in the bones, cartilage, tendons, or ligaments. Runners knee was the diagnosis. They prescribed physical therapy and rest, but I wanted to play. So, I played through the pain using my own adrenaline and desire. I used ibuprofen and ice after games as temporary stopgaps that only slightly touched the pain until I found acupuncture later in life. Now I can play pain free.
Why is it called Runners Knee?
The name is a bit of a misnomer because this type of knee pain can occur in anyone, but frequently occurs in runners and athletes . Many types of athletic movement can particularly stress the knee due to the repetitive, high-impact action of the leg with the ground and the twists and turns that are taken at high speeds. Knee pain can also result from jobs that require a lot of walking, or from a person being overweight.
What are the symptoms?
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Meniscus Injuries And Tears
The meniscus of the knee is a crescent shaped fibrocartilaginous structure that provides a cushion on both sides of the knee between the femur and the bones of the lower leg. When torn, this structure causes pain and affects the range of motion at the knee. Surgical repair is a common solution. For minor tears, while healing is more time related due to very little blood flow into structures such as these, pain control is important to regain and then retain full range of motion. Acupuncture is very effective in this regard during the recovery phase.
When To Seek Knee Pain Acupuncture Services
Knee pain can be difficult to treat on your own as it does not get suppressed by over the counter painkillers. Acupuncture is an excellent option for everyone struggling with knee pain. It helps reduce inflammation, stiffness, get rid of pain, and improve your range of motion in your knee so that you climb those stairs like a pro and sleep through the night. At Advanced Wellness Centre, we help improve your overall quality of life. Visit us at Richmond, VA, and call 673-9355 to book your session today!
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How Does Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnose Knee Pain
In your initial appointment with a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine , your health professional will take an in-depth history and try to find the exact cause of your pain through extensive testing. By finding the exact location of your pain, and by determining whether there are actions which relieve or aggravate your pain, we are able to closer determine which structure it is causing your pain whether it be from your bones, joints, or one of the other soft tissue structures of your knee such as muscles, ligaments or tendons. Determining the exact structure which is causing your pain is important so that we can develop a treatment plan which is specific to you, and therefore, if necessary, you may be sent for further conclusive testing such as an X-Ray, CT or MRI.
Acupuncture For Knee Tendonitis
Knee tendonitis is a blanket term for any inflammation in the tendons of the knee. This can involve tendons surrounding the kneecap, or any other connective tissues that become inflamed due to injury or chronic disease.
Acupuncture for knee tendonitis reduces inflammation, increases blood flow to the area and improves circulation, and increases and organizes the healing tissues to reduce scarring. These actions are widely recognized as crucial to healing. This treatment can be especially successful when performed in conjunction with strengthening exercises that target the hamstrings, quadriceps, and calf muscles.
Because it can be challenging to accurately measure the effects of acupuncture directly, research has used Doppler imaging to show how acupuncture increases blood flow and circulation. Other research has demonstrated how tissues and nerves close to the acupuncture pin set up a chain reaction in and around the targeted area to .
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Acupuncture For Related Conditions
Scientists also have studied whether acupuncture can help people with rarer forms of arthritis and other conditions that cause joint pain. Hereâs what they found:
- Fibromyalgia, a pain disorder, is sometimes confused with arthritis because it causes soreness all over the body. Thereâs not enough evidence to say acupuncture can help.
- Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that mainly affects the spine, although other joints can hurt, too. So far, studies canât say for sure that acupuncture helps people with this condition.
- Lupus is not a type of arthritis, but arthritis is one of its symptoms. More study is needed before researchers can say for sure whether acupuncture helps.
- Gout, a type of arthritis, usually affects the big toes, but it can cause pain in your ankles, knees, and feet. Scientists think that acupuncture might help ease pain from gout, but more research is needed to know for sure.
Suffering Arthritis Pain In Your Knee Acupuncture Can Deliver Relief
Heres a sobering statistic: Chronic knee pain affects nearly 50 percent of older American adults, and knee pain is the most commonly reported pain among adults ages 50 to 69. Much of that knee pain is attributed to arthritis.
A bit about arthritic knee pain: Traditional therapies for arthritis, such as medication and surgery, have many limitations. Medications may offer temporary relief but can come with side effects. Surgery is quite painful and expensive, and can also lead to side effects not to mention the recovery period where your functionality may be severely limited. After surgery, you may need to endure additional treatment in the form of physical therapy.
So whats a person to do when medications dont work and surgery isnt on the table as an option ? You may need to turn to alternative, integrative therapies. One such option is acupuncture in this article, learn how the professionals at Jersey Integrative Health and Wellness treat arthritis pain with acupuncture.
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