Theres one thing that the estimated 50 million arthritis sufferers in the United States share: chronic pain.
So its not surprising that most of the treatments for the disease focus on reducing pain. Often that means either over-the-counter medication or prescription drugs. Well, a new study shows that arthritis suffers may have an alternative available and thats acupuncture.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical procedure in which ultra-skinny needles are inserted into points along energy channels called meridians, where its believed the life force of the human body flows through. Adherents say that the treatment helps unblock the clogged energy channels and eases pain caused by the blockage.
This may sound all woo-woo, but theres plenty of scientific evidence to back up these claims. Western medical experts believe that acupuncture decreases pain by increasing the release of chemicals that block pain, called endorphins.
In a study of arthritis suffers who underwent acupuncture treatment, the federal National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported a 44 percent average reduction in pain and a 40 percent improvement in mobility in patients who had arthritis of the knee and were treated with acupuncture.Speak to your doctor and get the go-ahead before making an acupuncture appointment to treat your arthritis.
Robin Westen is ThirdAges medical reporter. Check for her daily updates.See what others have to say about this story or leave a comment of your own.
