Arthritis is one of the most common disabilities in the world. Divided into the aging and injury-related osteoarthritis and the autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis, the joint pain and stiffness derails millions of people’s careers, hobbies, and social lives.
Conventional medicine alone rarely, if ever, gives you long-term or near-complete resolution. This is why Life Balance Clinic offers acupuncture for arthritis in Chicago, at our Glenview, IL clinic.
How acupuncture works for arthritis
Acupuncture works by regulating Qi (vital force) energy, which controls all of the functions in your body. This can have a wide range of effects on your brain, immune system, digestion, and more.
For example, research shows that acupuncture may work for arthritis by regulating the levels of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory immune signalling chemicals. Acupuncture also moderates the functions of immune cells involved in attacking invaders and remembering past threats. On the level of your body’s energy systems, acupuncture can help relieve “Bi” syndrome. This is where cold, dampness, wind, or heat enter the meridians that transport Qi and lead to symptoms including stiffness, immobility, and pain.
The effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of arthritis pain
Acupuncture can be an effective arthritis treatment for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune cells have mistaken your joints for a foreign invader and now attack them. Fortunately, clinical studies find that acupuncture for rheumatoid arthritis can significantly reduce pain and joint stiffness. One trial showed an increase in hand grip strength from 13.45 kilograms of force to 21.83 within four weeks. Arm strength doubled, from 9.34 to 19.74 kilograms of force. Pain levels fell from an average of 6/10 to 1/10, too.
Another trial on acupuncture for osteoarthritis treatment compared acupuncture and conventional medication to medication alone. Here, the overall WOMAC index fell from 1,124 to 341.5 by the end of the eight-week treatment period, which is a measure of both pain and disability. This rose to 415.6 four weeks later. The medication-only group’s WOMAC scores only dropped to 743.3, and rose to 846.4 four weeks after treatment.
What are the side effects of acupuncture?
Acupuncture needles can hurt on insertion and while they remain inside you at a shallow depth. They may also draw a tiny amount of blood if they are inserted incorrectly. It’s essential to find a correctly trained, qualified professional who can treat you for the best results and least discomfort.
The best acupuncture clinic for arthritis
Life Balance Clinic in Glenview, IL, is proudly owned by Dr. Vadim Dekhtyar, DACM. His extensive qualifications and over 30 years in clinical practice make him much sought after by patients with a range of conditions. All treatments are performed with high-quality needles and other tools, with correct hygiene, sterility, and safety measures used at all times.
To book an appointment or ask further questions about your unique situation, click here.