At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, our physiatrists use nonsurgical methods to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore musculoskeletal function. Because our practice is holistic, we integrate both traditional and complementary therapies to provide our patients with maximum relief. One of the most successful complementary treatments we offer is acupuncture, especially effective in alleviating the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.
If you are suffering from pain and impaired mobility due to arthritis, contact our skilled, compassionate doctors now to discuss how acupuncture, a simple, painless procedure, can help restore your energy and restart your life.Â
Understanding Arthritis
Arthritis is a common condition characterized by inflammation and stiffness in the joints. There are several types of arthritis, but the two most prevalent forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. For over 20 years, our physiatrists have been relieving the symptoms of both types by successfully administering acupuncture treatments.Â
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, typically affecting patients as they age because it results from wear and tear on the joints over time. In osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down, leading to pain, swelling, and decreased joint mobility. According to the CDC, the joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis are the hands, hips, back, or knees.
hands, hips, back, or knees. Osteoarthritis affects millions of people worldwide, especially older adults, though it may affect younger patients who have suffered serious injuries to bones and joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium — the lining of the membranes that surround the joints. This causes inflammation that can eventually damage joint cartilage and bone and may lead to joint deformity and disability if left untreated. Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the fingers, wrists, knees, ankles, and feet.
Though the causes and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are different, acupuncture can be a productive treatment for both conditions.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice that involves inserting extremely fine needles into specific points on the body along pathways that Qi, the body’s primary energy source, flows. Acupuncture is based on the belief that when the flow of Qi is interrupted, disease and pain follow. With the insertion of the slender, sterile needles at points of disruption, acupuncture restores free energy flow, restoring balance and promoting the body’s natural healing process.
Although the process may sound more magical than medical, millions of people have been successfully treated with acupuncture for literally thousands of years. Now, finally, in the 21st century, Western medicine has verified the efficacy of acupuncture and approved its use.
How Acupuncture Addresses Arthritis Issues
Studies have shown that acupuncture provides significant relief for arthritis symptoms by:
- Decreasing inflammation
- Increasing blood flow
- Reducing pain
- Stimulating the release of endorphins (natural opioids)
- Improving joint function and flexibility
- Speeding the relay of electromagnetic signals, releasing immune system cells
- Altering brain chemistry by releasing neurotransmitters and neurohormones
Advantages of Acupuncture as a Treatment for Arthritis
Once patients realize that acupuncture is an effective treatment, they have several reasons to favor it over more intrusive approaches to relieving their arthritis symptoms, since acupuncture is:
Holistic
Acupuncture treats the whole person, addressing underlying imbalances as well as the symptoms of arthritis. In addition to relieving pain and increasing mobility, acupuncture often provides a sense of well-being.
Safe
Acupuncture is completely safe when performed by well-trained practitioners. Far from being painful, sessions are usually relaxing. In fact, many of our patients doze off during treatment.
Efficient
On average an acupuncture treatment takes only about 20 minutes. In addition to being relaxing, sessions do not require any downtime. Most patients leave our offices feeling refreshed.
Individualized Treatment With Almost No Side Effects
Acupuncture treatments are customized to the patient’s specific arthritis symptoms and their location, as well as to any other existing conditions. Although contraindicated for patients with bleeding disorders or on blood thinners, common side effects are limited to an occasional small bruise or minimal soreness at an insertion site.
Complementary Therapy
Because acupuncture is a complementary therapy, it can be used alongside other treatments, including medications and physical therapy, enhancing overall arthritis management.
Western Medicine Now Recognizes the Benefits of Acupuncture
In recent years, Western medicine has increasingly acknowledged the benefits of acupuncture for arthritis and many other conditions. Among the respected medical organizations that now acknowledge the benefits of acupuncture are:
- United States National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- American College of Physicians
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The Power of the Placebo Effect
While acupuncture was pooh-poohed as simply a placebo by Western medicine before studies validated its very real, measurable positive effects, now, ironically, doctors all over the world recognize that the placebo effect itself can relieve pain and promote healing.
For the doctors at Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, this is validating our holistic approach. Studies have now proven that the mind-body connection is not only real but can be channeled to help relieve the pain of arthritis and other maladies.
Believing in the effectiveness of any treatment, including acupuncture, can reduce anxiety and improve mood, both of which are beneficial in managing chronic pain. The placebo effect can and does amplify therapeutic benefits and improve patient outcomes.
LI Spine Is The Right Place To Come for Acupuncture Treatments
At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, our physiatrists frequently use acupuncture in combination with other therapies to provide more comprehensive care for our arthritis patients. If you’re seeking a holistic approach to manage intractable arthritis symptoms, contact our capable, compassionate doctors today. We have the experience and finely honed skills to provide you with relief and enhance your quality of life.