Acupuncture for osteoarthritis
Easing joint pain and stiffness from wear-and-tear arthritis in the knees, spine and other joints.
Osteoarthritis is a painful condition in which the cartilage that cushions the bones of a joint gradually wears down. It can affect the knees, the spine, the hips and other joints. As the cartilage thins, the bones can begin to touch, which leads to stiffness and pain.
Some osteoarthritis is a normal part of aging. Diet, lifestyle and unbalanced movement patterns can also play a part in how much it progresses.
How acupuncture can help
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Advil and Tylenol can help in the short term. Many people, though, want an approach that does more than mask the pain.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can help reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness in the joints. Many patients find that a course of treatment helps them move more easily and get back to the activities they enjoy.
Robert practices Toyohari, a Japanese style of acupuncture that uses careful pulse reading, very fine needles and gentle contact. He may also suggest a Chinese herbal formula as part of your care.
If osteoarthritis is affecting your knees, you may also want to read about knee pain. For arthritis in the spine, see low back pain.
What the research says
A study of people with osteoarthritis of the knee compared acupuncture with minimal acupuncture and with no acupuncture. After eight weeks of treatment, pain and joint function had improved more with acupuncture than with either comparison. You can read the study summary on PubMed.
Questions? Ask Robert.
He’ll tell you plainly whether acupuncture is likely to help. Sees patients Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, by appointment.