What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a general term for a variety of diseases relating to the health of the joints.
While the underlying causes of arthritis are often very different, depending on the specific disease, the symptoms are often quite similar. The most common symptoms of arthritis are joint pain, swelling and inflammation, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
Most forms of arthritis are degenerative. Symptoms may alternate between mild and severe at any given time. But in general, they will continue to get worse. In many cases, arthritis leads to permanent joint damage.
Severe arthritis can be extremely debilitating. It is, in fact, the leading cause of disability in the United States today.
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. The two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While the symptoms may be similar, the causes of these two common diseases are very different.
- Osteoarthritis involves the gradual decay of the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bone. As the cartilage becomes damaged, the bones begin to grind against each other with every movement of the joint. The joint lining can become inflamed. Osteoarthritis can lead to deterioration of the connective tissues holding the bones and muscles together, and can even lead to changes in the bone itself.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The body’s own immune system begins to attack the synovial membrane, a tough membrane encapsulating the parts of the joint. As a result, the synovial membrane becomes inflamed and swollen. Eventually, the disease begins to cause damage to the cartilage and bone at the joint.
While there is no cure for either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, acupuncture and massage therapy can play an important role in both pain management and managing symptoms such as swelling and inflammation. They can also help maintain mobility and range of motion.
How Does Massage Therapy Help Arthritis?
When incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan for arthritis, the goal of massage therapy is to reduce pain and inflammation, as well as increase blood flow, to affected joints.
Moreover, by reducing inflammation and swelling and releasing muscles near affected joints, massage can help maintain range of motion and improve mobility.
And massage therapy contributes to pain reduction and overall health by improving sleep patterns and boosting energy levels.
How Does Acupuncture Help Arthritis?
Like massage therapy, acupuncture also helps manage the symptoms of arthritis by reducing pain and targeting areas of inflammation.
Acupuncture involves the use of very small, sterile needles placed in specific points along the body’s lines of energy called meridians.
By restoring the proper flow of energy (known in traditional Chinese medicine as “qi”) and fluids around the body, acupuncture can help fight swelling and inflammation at affected joints. Acupuncture can also be highly effective in reducing sensations of pain and discomfort related to different types of arthritis.
Can Massage Therapy and Acupuncture Be Combined to Treat Arthritis?
Both massage therapy and acupuncture are powerful stand-alone techniques. When performed by a licensed and experienced therapist, they can both play an important role in managing the symptoms of arthritis.
When combined into a single treatment, they actually augment the anti-inflammatory and pain reducing impact of each. They also have been shown to have a cumulative impact; in other words, they work better when performed regularly, as part of a holistic and comprehensive treatment plan.
If you are suffering from the symptoms of arthritis, acupuncture and massage therapy may be able to help provide relief. Be sure to your primary care physician and other medical specialists about whether acupuncture and massage might play a role in your arthritis treatment.
Contact Urban Acupuncture Center in Columbus, OH For More Information
For more information about how acupuncture, massage therapy and other alternative healing treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.