Acupuncture is the best treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee (NIH)
x ray of a healthy knee joint, from the back
The most common form of Arthritis is Osteoarthritis
and affects 80% of those aged 65 and older, with twice as many women being affected as men! Its a leading cause of disability and treatments mostly focus on management of pain and dysfunction thru pain killer, physical therapy and other forms of exercises. In osteoarthritis, for one reason or another, the cartilage that cushions the heads of the bones that are in contact with each other start to break up and then erode.
How Acupuncture Brings Relief
- Pain relief: Thin sterile needles stimulate nerves, which signals the brain and spinal cord to release natural pain-relieving hormones like endorphins. [ 1 ]
- Reduced inflammation: Research tracked by the Arthritis Foundation suggests acupuncture may lower pro-inflammatory markers and help regulate local joint inflammation. [2 ]
- Improved mobility: Stimulating blood flow around affected joints can help ease stiffness and support flexibility. [3]
- Guidelines: Major medical groups, including the American College of Rheumatology, support acupuncture as an option for managing joint pain when combined with other therapies like exercise or medication. [ 7 ]
- Side effects: Common side effects are mild and include minor bruising, bleeding, or soreness at the needle sites.
- Precautions: Tell your practitioner if you take blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder, or use a pacemaker (if considering electroacupuncture). Always look for a licensed, certified professional. [ 8 ]
There are some factors contributing to the precipitation of the condition such as obesity and old age, but there is also a genetic component to the disease as it seems to run in families in some cases. As the cartilage starts to break up and literally gets cracks in them, they release inflammatory cytokines which speed up the breakdown. Interestingly there is also an inflammatory response that precedes the break down of the cartilage. Therefore anti-inflammatory diets play a big role in slowing down the progression. I think the reason why obesity is a risk factor for osteoarthritis is not just due to extra pressures on the knee, but also due to the fact that adipose tissue is known to store, and in some cases produce and release inflammatory cytokines into the local circulation.
drawing of an inflamed knee cartilage
Although acupuncture works great for all sorts of pain, I have had great results with my osteoarthritis patients using electroacupuncture. Electroacupuncture is the addition of a micro current to the thin needles that are inserted into specific points. Its almost as if the needle is being stimulated the whole time the current is on, vs when the needles are just inserted and left in with no additional stimulation, or a stimulation of the needles every five to ten minutes. This constant stimulation, the theory goes, really activates the points that are being used in a particular treatment. Since the body knows how to heal, and these acupuncture points really help bring the body back to normal (ie: reduce inflammation, tonify or strengthen the cartilage), perhaps thats why electroacupuncture works so good in cases of osteoarthritis of the knee.
6/21/18: This just in:
NSAIDS or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuproen, which is commonly used to treat the pain of osteoarthritis increases chances of cardio vascular events!!
Drugs are bad, acupuncture is good! What are you waiting for? Give us a call and get started.
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