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Acupuncture Arthritis Therapy For Chronic Pain
By
Patricia | November 7, 2008
Arthritis is an extremely painful condition that affects one or more joints in the body. It causes inflammation, stiffness in the joints, loss of mobility and severe pain. Arthritis affects people mostly in the higher age brackets, but it is known to affect younger people. It is, in fact, one of the main causes of disability amongst the elderly.
Arthritis is a very difficult disease to live with as it greatly hampers quality of life. The disease commonly targets the hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, wrists, and fingers. While there is no real cure for the condition, treatment usually involves strong doses of medication and steroids.
Given the high degree of pain and the severity of the condition, many people look for complementary therapies and treatments to cope with arthritis. Acupuncture is one such alternative therapy that can provide relief especially against the pain.
Acupuncture Arthritis
Acupuncture originated in China over 2000 years ago. It is a popular practice across Asia and is gaining respect in modern day medicine as well for its therapeutic values. Acupuncture follows the traditional Chinese medical concept that illness is caused by an imbalance of vital energy, known as Qi, in the body. When this energy is disrupted it results in an imbalance; the body is prone to illness. Using acupuncture techniques, this energy can be unlocked once again, and the balance can be restored.
Acupuncture involves piercing the skin with very thin needles at specific points along the body. This stimulates the energy and begins the healing process. These strategic points can be along the tender joints that are very sensitive to even the slightest touch. However you have to trust your acupuncturist as he or she inserts needles along the tender spots. Other points may be distant, but prove to be equally beneficial and necessary.
Using acupuncture, you can stimulate the nervous system and releases pain blocking endorphins into the system. These provide much needed relief and allow the body to relax and recuperate. Depending on severity of your condition, you many need to undergo multiple session of acupuncture before you can feel its effects.
Acupuncture is especially useful for arthritis patients as it provides relief from chronic pain. However, it should be noted that acupuncture isn’t a cure to arthritis, but a complementary therapy that can manage pain and painful symptoms brought on by the condition.
Acupuncture is a safe and completely natural practice. It doesn’t involve the intake of any pharmaceutical medication and brings with it little to no side effects. Be sure to seek out a trained professional acupuncturist while undertaking this form of treatment, for best effects.