Arthritis is a condition characterized by damage to the joints of the body. There are many different types of arthritis, the most common being osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Both of these subtypes have effectively been treated with Oriental Medicine for centuries past. This article will focus on the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Osteo Arthritis is often termed degenerative arthritis. This is actually a misnomer because the onset doesn’t always manifest with age. OA does eventually appear with advanced age, but many individuals will remain symptom free throughout their life. OA is the most common form of arthritis and the main cause of disability in the United States. Symptoms of OA include joint pain and stiffness, burning pain of the muscles and ligaments, joint cracking (crepitis) and increase pain with standing, twisting and bending.
Treatment of OA usually involves hot and cold therapy, dietary changes, medications, therapeutic exercise, stretching-strengthening and lifestyle changes.
Heat therapy, in the form of ultrasound, moist hot packs and whirlpools, can promote circulation to the joints and help with healing the soft tissue. Cold therapy (cryotherapy), in the form if ice pacs and whirlpools, can reduce acute swelling and provide temporary pain relief. Specific dietary changes can help with management of OA. Specifically, eating a diet that is slightly alkaline and avoiding high acid foods that can accumulate in the joints. Also, proper hydration is crucial to joint health.
There are many traditional herbal medications that can help decrease pain and reduce the surrounding soft tissue inflammation. Herbs such as turmeric, natoginseng and salvia root can help increase blood flow to the joints and also strengthen the body’s immune response. Western medications, such as and vioxx, have a shady track record to say the least. These non steroid anti-inflammatories have been associated with increase in heart disease, allergies, stomach ulcers and heartburn.
Oriental medicine classifies osteo arthritis as Bi syndrome. Bi syndrome is a broad term used for many painful joint disorders. The diagnosis is based on how the condition is presenting in the individual. For example, if the arthritis is worse with cold it would be cold Bi syndrome. If the joint pain moves throughout the body it would be classified as wind and if the joints feel heavy it would be called damp Bi. Most often, there is a presentation that has many of these symptoms combined.
To determine if acupuncture and complimentary medicine is right for you call for a free consultation. 310-892-9879.
Jesse Phelps, M.T.O.M., L.Ac, B.Sc.
Phelpsacupuncture.com
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