So what else can we do?

One therapy not discussed much in the treatment for arthritis is acupuncture. Acupuncture is basically inserting small needles into the skin in order to relieve various pains and symptoms. It has been around for years and is quite popular. Western research suggests that stimulation of certain skin or muscle areas by needles releases large amounts of endorphins and bradykinins. These are the bodies natural painkillers and anti-inflammatory agents.

A study in 2004 showed that acupuncture can be of benefit to arthritis sufferers. The study was searching for evidence of acupuncture reducing the pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis. 570 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were involved. Patients were measured for pain and function scores at week 8 and week 26 of the program (in comparison with a sham acupuncture group). They were also measured on a 6 minute walk and a physical health score.

Participants in the true acupuncture group experienced greater improvement in their pain and function scores than the sham group at week 8. By week 26, the acupuncture group had significantly better scores in all areas.

Should you try acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a great secondary treatment for osteoarthritis. If you are suffering pain, it is something that can be used alongside exercise and medication. It may not be for you, but give it a try, don’t put all your eggs in one basket when it comes to treatment. A combination of treatments will more likely give you the benefit you seek. Acupuncture is alternative, but it has been around for a very long time and there is a lot of evidence it does relieve pain and symptoms of various conditions. Try it, it may work for you.

For more information on joint pain and pain relief visit Joint Pain Edge

The fundament of acupuncture is that there are certain points in the body that are significant to ones healing and to assist with the healing process pressure needs to be exerted at these points by means of a device. Pathways of Qi energy should flow freely in a healthy person and any symptoms of illness will indicate any barriers to this movement. The free flowing energy provides everything the cells need and removes all waste that has formed, the consequence being an improvement in the emotional and physical health. Symptoms of any illness will become manifest if Qi is blocked at any level.

Although many observe acupuncture as involving needles, other techniques are also used, including herbs, burning and electric stimulation. However, needles are used as the prime means of reconnecting the energy flow in the body.

Determining where to place the needles will be dictated by the need to return the flow to normal. Acupuncture practitioners begin by studying the areas where the flows of energy are. These are known as meridians or channels in the body and there are twelve major channels where the energy flows and cycles within the body. Illness or disease is evident when these channels have become blocked at their interconnecting points. These points are examined and unblocked by exercising pressure at the specific points by the use of acupuncture.

Once the practitioner has diagnosed the locations for the acupuncture, then it is crucial to analyse the effects that all of these connections will have. Elements that are directly related to what the body needs to be at optimum health are associated to these different points. These are principally linked to the five elements that are conceived to be the basis to the laws of the universe.

One of the most beneficial ways to improve or sustain good health is with acupuncture and specialists are able to ascertain which areas of Qi are not flowing correctly by determining the respective channels and connections in the body. By affecting the way that the energy flows helps to restore and revitalize the energy levels in the body and by reaching a better flow of energy can attain optimum health.

Many people have regular acupuncture treatments in order to stay healthy and maintain their Qi levels at an optimum level and more and more people are turning to acupuncture as an alternative to conventional medicine. The benefits of this ancient practise are becoming better understood and encouraged by conventional western medicine. Generally speaking, the advantages of acupuncture are considered to be helpful in relieving any kind of imbalance or misdirected energy by use of a safe, non-drug process.

By John Philips