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Do you or anyone you know suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis? Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic progressive disease that causes inflammation in the joints. Acupuncture can lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the blood and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, according to a study in the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine. Sixty-three RA patients were assigned to receive either manual or electro-acupuncture for a course of ten treatments. Each patient received three courses of treatment. Acupoints were selected from pain-related points (ashi points) and associated yang meridians.
Key blood factors linked to RA development were measured. Both acupuncture and electro-acupuncture significantly reduced blood and synovial fluid levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The researchers concluded that acupuncture could “improve the internal environment for genesis and development of RA, so as to enhance therapeutic effectiveness.”
For individuals experiencing rheumatoid arthritis, acupuncture can:
- Regulate the immune system
- Manage symptoms
- Provide pain relief
- Improve overall quality of life
More and more people have found that acupuncture reduces the pain associated with RA without the negative side effects that may occur from medication. For individuals who opt for allopathic treatment, acupuncture can be used adjunctively to reduce medication dependency and for the management of common symptoms, such as joint pain.
Your acupuncture physician will assess your condition onset and symptoms to determine an appropriate acupuncture treatment plan. Acupuncture can produce significant improvements by reducing the number of tender joints and decreasing stiffness and swelling. Range of movement capacity can also be improved with acupuncture.
Other modalities and lifestyle recommendations, such as bodywork, supplements, diet modification, stress reduction, and exercise, may be recommended in addition to your acupuncture therapy.
For more information about how to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, call the Acupuncture and Massage College, at (305) 595-9500.
