Frustrated with the pain and swelling from your arthritis? Tired of the constant consumption of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs? Do you feel your arthritis is detrimental to your overall health and wellness?
You are probably not alone as arthritis is the leading cause for disability in the United States. Over 50 million adults and 300,000 children suffer from it. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) one in four adults report feeling severe pain as a result of their arthritis.
Types
Arthritis comes in many forms as it is the informal term for any disorder that affects joints. If you’ve already been dealing with arthritis you probably have been diagnosed with one of the over 100 arthritis disorders. It’s likely one the following most common issues:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid
- Gout and pseudo-gout
- Septic arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Juvenile idiopathic
- Still’s disease
Traditional Treatments
As an arthritis sufferer you are probably familiar with a lot of the traditional treatments. These treatments vary widely and are determined by the actual disorder causing the pain. Some treatments include:
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Splints or other aids
- Weight loss
- In rare cases, surgery
The types of medicines your doctor might suggest are:
- Painkillers: over-the-counter or prescription
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Biologics: medications that are designed to counteract inflammatory signals in the body and are made by complex methods involving genetically-modified bacteria
- Steroids to cut down on inflammation
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs): meds that slow or stop inflammation
Treating Arthritis Pain Without Medication
Physical Activity
One of the best ways to treat without medication is with joint-friendly physical activities. Consider low impact activities like walking, biking, and swimming. Some activity is always better than none and always remember to start slowly. In addition to low impact aerobic activities, consider adding the following:
- Muscle-strengthening exercises
- Flexibility exercise
- Balance exercises
If you want to incorporate exercise into your daily routine we suggest reading this physical activity article from the CDC for a more thorough look into some of your choices.
Acupuncture
Another great way to curb your reliance on medication for your arthritis pain treatment is acupuncture. Acupuncture can address your pain, swelling, and other discomforts as well as answer your all-around wellness needs.
What kind of acupuncture treatment will help arthritis?
Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints that cause pain, only in this case we call it ‘arthritis’. In many cases joint pain is caused by ‘Blood Flow’ (pain when blood flows through) more than arthritis. Many people, and even some doctors, think ‘pain by Blood flow’ and arthritis are the same but that is not accurate. When we were young, the blood from the heart passes well through the bones. With aging, blood does not flow as well and slows when passing through the joint, the blood strikes the bones that cause pain so the symptom is exactly like arthritis.
Dr. Ko describes that during the summer shower, even if there are stones the water flows well over the stone but if the water does not flow well, it hits and slowly flows over the stone. Acupuncture treatment will help blood and Qi (Energy) circulation. In oriental medicine, Qi is accompanied by blood so when blood and Qi circulate well then there will be no pain. Also, our body has the ability to defend and heal itself. When Acupuncture needle is placed into the body, our ‘resistance ability’ wakes up which lies dormant. Only acupuncture treatment can work with ‘resistance ability’ and it is the best treatment.
What is arthritis caused by in Oriental Medicine?
When the cartilage wears down by using joints a lot, the lubricant disappears. Then bones collide with bones.
How does herbal medicine help with arthritis?
Herbal medicine helps to relieve pain and eliminates inflammation and also functions as a lubricant.
What are some examples of herbs that Dr.Ko might prescribe?
Rumex dentatus (Niú Shé Cǎo), Aralia cordata var. continentalis (Du Huo), Liriope platyphylla (màiméndōng: (Zhuyin))
Getting started with acupuncture
If you are ready to explore acupuncture, Oriental medicine, and herbal remedies as a treatment for your arthritis book your initial consultation with 120 Acupuncture today. In your initial visit, Dr. Ko will work with you to create a custom plan that will support your path to wellness and guide you toward a healthy, pain-free life.