Arthritis Pain
Acupuncture is one of the oldest medical procedures in the world, with its origins dating back to China more than 2,000 years ago. When properly administered, it can have an amazing ability to naturally relieve arthritic conditions: pain and inflammation of the joints. Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the belief that an essential like force call "qi"(pronounced "chee") flows through the body along channels called meridians. These Meridains are like rivers that irrigate the body and nourish the tissues. Any obstructions (called "bi") aling these channels is like a dam that blocks vital energy flow, creating pain and diseases. Acupuncture is a very effective fomr of pain control in that it can relieve soreness in threee ways. First, it casuses the body to produce chemicals called endorphins, whick inhibit the perception of pain naturally. Secont, it blocks the transmission of pain signals to the brain through the nervous system. Thirdly, it deactivates trigger points. Trigger points are tender and extremely reactivate areas that develope within muscles. The result of acupuncture is widespread relaxation of both mind and body. Arthritis is a pervasive disease that causes pain and inflammation in joints and can be widely spread throughout the body. Arhritis isn't just one disease, it is a complex disorder that comprises more that 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at any stage of life. The commmon thread among arthritis symptom is persistant joint pain and inflammation of the joints. While arthritis pain and inflammation cannot be avoided as the body agess, with the aid of acupuncture and Oriental medicine the pain can be managed to a greater degree and improve functioning. Acupunture treatment points for arthritis are located all over the body, not just directly over the affected area. During the treatment, tiny needles are place along the patient's legs, arms, shoulders and even toes. These needles are so tiny that multiple acupuncture needles can fit inside a human hair. The needles stay on the area for set amount of time , and then removed. Most people relax and even fall asleep during the treatment. The length, number and frequency of treatments will vary according to the intensity of the pain, and its severity and pervasiveness with the patient. The relief of arthritis pain through acupuncture has been studied many times. Results indicate that the use of acupuncture and Oriental medicine can be an effective form of pain management. Many studies throughout the world have been given on a range of arthritis sufferers- from patients awaiting full-hip replacements, to knee surgery patients, as well as people suffering from the affects of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. In most studies, the patients are split into groups- one group participating in acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatments in conjunction with a self-help course for managing their condition and conventional therapy; the other group receiving only the conventional therapy and self-help course information. The studies indicated that between 25-40 percent who received acupuncture in conjunction with the conventional and self therapy had a decrease in pain and a noted improvement in function of arthritic joints.