Drs Martin & Sue Allbright Classical Acupuncture
'Blending an ancient medical approach of mind and body with modern health'
This site was last updated on 14.7.10
The Art of Acupuncture in helping 'Ailments and Conditions'
Softness
Nurturing
Sensory
Alchemical
Osteoarthritis
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided in this site is accurate. It is not the intention to mislead or misinform anyone.
acupuncture for peripheral joint osteoarthritis | osteoarthritis pain | acupuncture knee pain | acupuncture for knee arthritis | clinical trials acupuncture | acupuncture osteoarthritis knee | osteoarthritis neck pain | clinical trials osteoarthritis | acupuncture arthritis | rheumatoid arthritis acupuncture | acupuncture arthritis treatment | rheumatoid arthritis pain | arthritis chinese medicine | knee arthritis | acupuncture pain relief
Osteoarthritis is a very common health issue. The arthritis frequently starts without symptoms during our second and third decades. Then from the age of 55 onwards it becomes more noticeable and by the age of 70 years it is very common. It has become labelled a condition of our ageing process, the ‘wear and tear’ of our joints. We frequently see people come with this problem, affecting their, knees, hips, shoulders, ankles, wrists and hands
On the surface of all our joints we have a layer of tissue, called cartilage. The cartilage prevents the bones from rubbing against each other when we move our joints. The cartilage does this by cushioning vibrational forces and facilitating smooth movement because it is a lubricated surface.
There are many reasons why we start to loose our layers of cartilage, in part it can be down to our genes, the ageing process, a previous infection in the joint, serious trauma which has caused physical damage to the surfaces, repetitive mechanical stresses from over use, metabolic problems and many more. Even emotional stress can aggravate your symptoms.
Once the cartilage becomes progressively eroded we loose a layer of protection for our bones. Our underlying area of articulating bone can then become damaged. Our body tries to repair this by producing bony spurs called ‘osteophytes’. Instead of making things better, however, this attempt at new bony healing may make things worse, because the bone becomes misshapen causing more pain, joint limitation or even some instability.
So, as the cartilage thins and disappears, when we move our joints a certain amount of bone may start to rub against bone, causing pain, soreness, aching, sometimes swelling and heat (inflammation). If we over use the joint then this can cause a flare up and by resting the joint it is eased. Much later on bony enlargement may develop around the joint due to the growth of osteophytes. Sometimes there can be stiffness in the joints on getting up in the morning, or the pain may get worse as the day proceeds or may be as joint is used. Gradually with the changes there can be a decrease in function and with it pain limiting the ability to get around.
Acupuncture and osteoarthritis
Acupuncture may ease the pain, reduce the soreness and swelling and with it the function and the range of movement may improve but this all depends on how much wear and tear there is present. Sometimes the symptoms can completely disappear, often the earlier you seek help the better it may be in prolonging the use of the joint.
We need to know what factors have or are affecting your joint(s) and we also need to look and feel the way your joint(s) behave at your initial consultation. It is worth mentioning here that the majority of western medical acupuncture is aimed at local pain relief and this plays a useful role. The traditional Chinese acupuncture approach may sometimes use some of these points but it is primarily a medical model that looks at the nature of you with the aim of restoring your chi. Many people feel their aches and pains with certain changes in the weather. The affect of weather on you is something that in Chinese medicine is very relevant in your diagnosis and treatment.
What we have observed is that when this approach is used clients frequently experience much more significant changes compared to just having local treatment alone. Treating osteoarthritis with acupuncture should be seen as part of a long term care approach to looking after your joint(s).
We have seen clients who are not complaining of any pain and yet when we look at
their x-
Acupuncture and joint replacement
We have seen over many years that when a person comes to us wanting to put off having a joint replacement, we have found that the acupuncture has helped them to use less medication, helped them to function normally so that they can carry on life with less discomfort. This frequently postpones the operation, sometimes by several years.
For our clients who eventually need to have a joint replacement, acupuncture before and after the surgery can help in pain relief and the speed of recuperation and rehabilitation. We have also seen our clients who have had regular acupuncture before surgery (whether it is back, knee or hip) recuperate very quickly. Many a medical personal has commented to them that they are up and about much quicker than their other patients.
No system of medicine at present can restore a joint to its original state and it is credit to the advances of modern science and surgery that we have better and better technologies for joint replacement.
Osteoarthritis of the Hands
Chronic arthritic pain is an insatiable beast; the more attention it gets, the more
persistent it seems to be, eventually becoming a constant companion -
Having tried various pain management techniques to little effect I decided to try a series of acupuncture sessions (at the Beacon Clinic, Malvern). It proved to be an extremely rewarding decision.
From the outset I felt an improvement, not so much with the pain but certainly as
regards energy levels and a significantly heightened sense of well-
It will never go away completely, I know certain activities will aggravate it, but with continuing acupuncture treatment I am confident that the restrictions this condition imposes will be kept under control.
JJ nr. Stourport on Severn
Total knee replacement
