acupuncture in mt pleasant charleston sc

Arthritis

 

For those living with arthritis, you know how difficult it can be to find relief from joint pain. Reliance upon anti-inflammatories, pain killers and even surgery is less than an appealing option for most. Fortunately, there is an alternative. People have been using Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries with great success......

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated one in three Americans is affected. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type, affecting over 21 million adults. It occurs when the cartilage between joints breaks down, usually affecting the hips, hands, knees, low back or neck. Predisposing factors include physical trauma, repetitive use, obesity, aging and genetics. Another common type is Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), affecting an estimated 2.1 million Americans. This condition occurs when the joint lining, called the synovium, becomes inflammed leading to chronic joint pain, swelling, stiffness, warmth, deformation and even loss of movement. RA usually affects the same joints on both sides of the body, and may be accompanied by fatigue, flu-like symptoms, and muscle pain and weakness. 

Acupuncture offers and safe and natural way to control joint pain. Studies suggest that patients receiving acupuncture once a week for 6-8 weeks experienced a 40% decrease in pain and 40% increase in joint function. A Scandinavian study showed 25% of arthritis patients scheduled for knee surgery cancelled their operations after acupuncture treatment. The World Health Organization concurs that acupuncture is an effective means to treating arthritis.

Traditional Chinese medicine takes a whole body approach to health. According to theory, there are 12 energy channels, called meridians coursing the body. Through the meridians, qi (pronounced "chee") and blood flow nourishing every cell, tissue, muscle and organ. When this flow becomes disrupted, pain results. A practioner will take a detailed health history, looking for which dysfuction(s) may be responsible for the blockage of qi and blood. Causes of arthritis from a Chinese Medical perspective include weakness of the internal organs, constitutional weaknesses, physical injury, changes with the quality and quantity of qi, stress and anxiety, as well as invasion of pathogenic factors such as wind, damp, heat and cold. The latter refers to environmental factors that may exacerbate the condition. 

Chiropractic is another effective way to treat arthritis. Using this model, the hips are aligned resulting in less pressure placed upon the affected joint. Your acupuncturist may recommend a combination of therapy maximizing the body's healing potential. acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, diet and lifestyle may be the solutions your health problems.