Acupuncture for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation that may affect many tissues and organs of the body, but primarily attacks synovial joints, which is the most common and movable type of joint in the body of a person. This autoimmune disease that usually causes chronic inflammation to the joints, also affects the tissue around the joints. Autoimmune diseases normally occur when the body’s tissues are erroneously attacked by their own immune system.
Since rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness, it can last for years, and patients suffering from this disease may experience it for longer times without showing any symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis in a typical manner is a progressive illness that may potentially cause joint destruction and permanent disability. The symptoms that are experienced are joint pain, swelling, stiffness and general discomfort.

Acupuncture as an Alternative Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Traditional prescription medicines are not always the effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. An alternative treatment for this autoimmune disease could be natural treatments such as Traditional Chinese medicines or Acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine and healing method that started back more than 3,000 years ago. For Chinese people, it is used to effectively treat the symptoms of arthritis, and some health problems. Acupuncture is a procedure performed in which specific body areas and points are punctured with fine needles for therapeutic purposes, to relieve joint pains, produce regional anesthesia, or provide body relaxation.

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis because as a natural medication, it does not have any negative side effects, whereas most prescribed medications do, making it difficult for patients suffering from this chronic joint illness.

Acupuncture works by inserting thin needles into several body points or “meridians”, clearing any energy blockages. This allows the illness and the uncomfortable feeling to be quickly alleviated. Acupuncturists may focus on the heart, kidney, back of head, and internal secretion points.

Traditional acupuncturists typically treat the person as a whole rather than focusing on the symptoms of the disease. They consider the lifestyle of the sufferer and also environmental factors that triggered the problem.

Clinical Studies and Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Rheumatoid Arthritis

There was a study of auriculo-electropuncture (AEP) in Russia with 16 patients that suffered from arthritis. AEP is a treatment of essential points on the ear.  They used a double blind method which resulted into a “statistically significant” improvement in their blood samples.

In another research, there were 54 rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing acupuncture with the use of a Chinese herb called Zhuifengsu,  also called warm needling. It resulted positively and has shown to be 100% effective.

Since rheumatoid is autoimmune system illness, acupuncture is a perfect medication because it effectively works to boost the immune system. When the immune system is strong, this disease can be prevented as well as other illnesses.

Most importantly, acupuncture is a form of preventive medicine, because individuals can undergo this procedure without any specific illness or ailments. People experience Chinese medicine to help them prevent rheumatoid arthritis and any other illnesses, while at the same time, they make use of it to keep their minds and body relaxed and stress free.

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