According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70 million Americans (one out of every 3 people) are affected by Arthritis. This makes arthritis pain the leading cause of disability in the U.S.
Arthritis is a complex disease that can hit at virtually any age and comprises over one hundred various conditions. Fortunately, studies show that holistic healthcare provides incredible relief for sufferers of arthritis.
Acupuncture and massage therapy in particular are used for the two most common arthritis disorders, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
In osteoarthritis, the joint cartilage shuts down leading to severe pain and stiffness. Commonly affected areas include the hips, knees, fingers, and spine. The wrists, elbows, shoulders, and ankles can also be involved when there is a prior injury or weakness from repetitive strain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation and soft tissue swelling. Commonly, the immune system attacks the body’s joints (often several joints at a time). This inflammatory condition can also affect the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and muscles. RA can last a long time and can be a disease of flares (active symptoms) and remissions (few to no symptoms).
From a Chinese medicine viewpoint, arthritis arises when the cycle of “Qi” (or life-force energy) in the meridians becomes blocked. This blockage is called “bi” pain and is categorized according to location, quality of pain, impaired mobility, and the amount of heat, inflammation, and swelling. Pain from arthritis can be caused by internal or external factors. Internal factors include stress, weakened defenses, or depletion of vital energy resulting in the degeneration of bone, tendons, and cartilage; and external factors include wind, temperature extremes, and dampness.
Recent studies show the efficacy of Chinese medicine in the treatment of arthritis. The National Institutes of Health published a study involving 570 patients with knee arthritis who, despite taking pain medication, still experienced moderate to severe pain. After 14 weeks of acupuncture treatment the patients in the acupuncture group reported a nearly 40 percent improvement in function and after 26 weeks reported even better results.
A Scandinavian study reports that 25 percent of arthritis patients who had been scheduled for hip replacement surgery cancelled their operation after acupuncture treatment.
Tips to Eliminate Arthritis Pain
· Get Treated with Acupuncture
Acupuncture is highly effective at treating arthritis because Chinese medicine customizes treatment according to the individual symptoms each patient experiences. Acupuncture (often together with Chinese herbs) can strengthen Qi or disperse blockages of Qi. Chinese medicine also addresses the pathogens wind, cold, dampness, and damp-heat associated with arthritis. This means that whether your pain is heavy, sharp, burning, fixed, moving, hot, or cold – treatment will be designed specifically for you. Acupuncture has no side effects and does not add toxins to the body.
· Have Regular Massage
Massage is not only relaxing and enjoyable, but also has a therapeutic effect in successfully treating a variety of pain conditions. There are a variety of massage styles to benefit arthritis pain. Swedish massage is the most relaxing and is used to stimulate blood flow to the skin and relax the muscles. Deep tissue massage goes deeper into specific muscles and joints to decrease pain and improve movement. Reflexology is a style of massage where deep pressure is applied to points on the feet that correspond with the whole body. During an acute flare-up of arthritis inflammation, reflexology is often a good massage choice as painful joints are not being directly touched, but are still being addressed through the corresponding area of the foot.
For people with frequent arthritis flare-ups, consistent massage will rid the body of toxins that aggravate inflammation. Fresh nutrients and oxygen are brought to the joints and tissues, reducing swelling, stiffness, and pain.
· Keep Consistent with Exercise
The best types of exercise to keep joints mobile, increase circulation, and strengthen the tendons, ligaments and muscles are swimming, gentle yoga, Qi Gong, walking, and light weight training.
· Eat Healthy Foods According to your Constitution
Your diet plays an important role in helping control pain from arthritis. Chinese medicine teaches the importance of eating foods according to your constitution.
Dampness — If your joints become swollen or your symptoms are worse in damp and rainy weather, it’s important to eliminate “damp” foods from your diet. Stay away from dairy products, sugar, heavy foods like peanut butter, and greasy or fried foods.
Heat — If painful areas are red, have a hot or burning sensation, or feel hot to the touch then it’s important to avoid foods that add heat to the body. Stay away from spicy dishes and coffee.
Cold — If there is severe pain at a fixed location (usually a joint or muscle) that is alleviated by applying warmth, this is likely “cold bi pain”. Avoid cold foods such as ice cream or icy drinks and keep the consumption of raw foods (like salads and raw vegetables) to a minimum. Steamed vegetables and soups are a healthy alternative to salad and ginger tea is a great beverage choice.
Wind –Wind in arthritis is characterized by the movement of symptoms from place to place. Joint movement is limited, and soreness and pain move from joint to joint. Avoid nuts, alcohol, sugar, and fried or fatty foods. Wind will commonly combine with cold or heat, so follow the eating guidelines in those categories as well.
All arthritis sufferers – Focus your diet on fresh vegetables, grains, beans, some fruit, and a small amount of meat. Try increasing the amount of fish in your diet (cold-water fish like mackerel and salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which reduce pain and swelling). Maintain a healthy weight to avoid overtaxing the joints.
· Avoid Medications unless they are TRULY Necessary
Painkillers should be reserved for those times when they are really needed. This prevents the body from being weakened by over-medicating, and the painkillers will be more effective when used.
—
Even after the onset of arthritis, you can expect to return to a full and active life. Used in combination, the tips listed above can dramatically improve your symptoms and return you to having a great quality of life.
...and the Chinese Medicine practice of Antonia Balfour, L.Ac.
Offering holistic solutions for the treatment of:
• Pain
• Skin Conditions
• Women's Health and
• Holistic Cancer Support
Tips for Managing Arthritis Pain
Arthritis is a complex disease that can hit at virtually any age and comprises over one hundred various conditions. Fortunately, studies show that holistic healthcare provides incredible relief for sufferers of arthritis.
Acupuncture and massage therapy in particular are used for the two most common arthritis disorders, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
In osteoarthritis, the joint cartilage shuts down leading to severe pain and stiffness. Commonly affected areas include the hips, knees, fingers, and spine. The wrists, elbows, shoulders, and ankles can also be involved when there is a prior injury or weakness from repetitive strain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation and soft tissue swelling. Commonly, the immune system attacks the body’s joints (often several joints at a time). This inflammatory condition can also affect the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and muscles. RA can last a long time and can be a disease of flares (active symptoms) and remissions (few to no symptoms).
From a Chinese medicine viewpoint, arthritis arises when the cycle of “Qi” (or life-force energy) in the meridians becomes blocked. This blockage is called “bi” pain and is categorized according to location, quality of pain, impaired mobility, and the amount of heat, inflammation, and swelling. Pain from arthritis can be caused by internal or external factors. Internal factors include stress, weakened defenses, or depletion of vital energy resulting in the degeneration of bone, tendons, and cartilage; and external factors include wind, temperature extremes, and dampness.
Recent studies show the efficacy of Chinese medicine in the treatment of arthritis. The National Institutes of Health published a study involving 570 patients with knee arthritis who, despite taking pain medication, still experienced moderate to severe pain. After 14 weeks of acupuncture treatment the patients in the acupuncture group reported a nearly 40 percent improvement in function and after 26 weeks reported even better results.
A Scandinavian study reports that 25 percent of arthritis patients who had been scheduled for hip replacement surgery cancelled their operation after acupuncture treatment.
Tips to Eliminate Arthritis Pain
· Get Treated with Acupuncture
Acupuncture is highly effective at treating arthritis because Chinese medicine customizes treatment according to the individual symptoms each patient experiences. Acupuncture (often together with Chinese herbs) can strengthen Qi or disperse blockages of Qi. Chinese medicine also addresses the pathogens wind, cold, dampness, and damp-heat associated with arthritis. This means that whether your pain is heavy, sharp, burning, fixed, moving, hot, or cold – treatment will be designed specifically for you. Acupuncture has no side effects and does not add toxins to the body.
· Have Regular Massage
Massage is not only relaxing and enjoyable, but also has a therapeutic effect in successfully treating a variety of pain conditions. There are a variety of massage styles to benefit arthritis pain. Swedish massage is the most relaxing and is used to stimulate blood flow to the skin and relax the muscles. Deep tissue massage goes deeper into specific muscles and joints to decrease pain and improve movement. Reflexology is a style of massage where deep pressure is applied to points on the feet that correspond with the whole body. During an acute flare-up of arthritis inflammation, reflexology is often a good massage choice as painful joints are not being directly touched, but are still being addressed through the corresponding area of the foot.
For people with frequent arthritis flare-ups, consistent massage will rid the body of toxins that aggravate inflammation. Fresh nutrients and oxygen are brought to the joints and tissues, reducing swelling, stiffness, and pain.
· Keep Consistent with Exercise
The best types of exercise to keep joints mobile, increase circulation, and strengthen the tendons, ligaments and muscles are swimming, gentle yoga, Qi Gong, walking, and light weight training.
· Eat Healthy Foods According to your Constitution
Your diet plays an important role in helping control pain from arthritis. Chinese medicine teaches the importance of eating foods according to your constitution.
Dampness — If your joints become swollen or your symptoms are worse in damp and rainy weather, it’s important to eliminate “damp” foods from your diet. Stay away from dairy products, sugar, heavy foods like peanut butter, and greasy or fried foods.
Heat — If painful areas are red, have a hot or burning sensation, or feel hot to the touch then it’s important to avoid foods that add heat to the body. Stay away from spicy dishes and coffee.
Cold — If there is severe pain at a fixed location (usually a joint or muscle) that is alleviated by applying warmth, this is likely “cold bi pain”. Avoid cold foods such as ice cream or icy drinks and keep the consumption of raw foods (like salads and raw vegetables) to a minimum. Steamed vegetables and soups are a healthy alternative to salad and ginger tea is a great beverage choice.
Wind –Wind in arthritis is characterized by the movement of symptoms from place to place. Joint movement is limited, and soreness and pain move from joint to joint. Avoid nuts, alcohol, sugar, and fried or fatty foods. Wind will commonly combine with cold or heat, so follow the eating guidelines in those categories as well.
All arthritis sufferers – Focus your diet on fresh vegetables, grains, beans, some fruit, and a small amount of meat. Try increasing the amount of fish in your diet (cold-water fish like mackerel and salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which reduce pain and swelling). Maintain a healthy weight to avoid overtaxing the joints.
· Avoid Medications unless they are TRULY Necessary
Painkillers should be reserved for those times when they are really needed. This prevents the body from being weakened by over-medicating, and the painkillers will be more effective when used.
—
Even after the onset of arthritis, you can expect to return to a full and active life. Used in combination, the tips listed above can dramatically improve your symptoms and return you to having a great quality of life.
Welcome to Oasis Palisades…
...and the Chinese Medicine practice of Antonia Balfour, L.Ac.
Offering holistic solutions for the treatment of:
• Pain
• Skin Conditions
• Women's Health and
• Holistic Cancer Support