Acupuncture is one very good way to treat osteoarthritis

These days, osteoarthritis is quite a commonly reported issue heard by doctors. Most of the time, this condition affects middle age people. Osteoarthritis is the gradual degeneration of the joints and it is a quite painful condition.

Between the joints in the body, a layer of membrane exist called cartilage. For young people, the cartilage acts to facilitate movement by serving as a lubricating membrane. It assists in preventing the two adjacent joints from rubbing against each other when the body moves. But, as a person ages, the cartilage starts to weaken and degenerate. It eventually becomes so eroded that it can no longer effectively act as a protective layer for the bones. This then results in pain whenever there is movement. In a lot of instances, the inflammation of the joints also causes swelling that follows the soreness.

Osteoarthritis can be due to many factors. This problem can be brought about by overuse, injury, old age, or heredity. People who are in their 20s or 30s also have a chance of developing this disease. An osteoarthritis sufferer should find treatment as early a soon as possible for 2 reasons: to prevent the condition from worsening and second to relieve the swelling, soreness and pain of osteoarthritis.

The inflammation needs to be treated when it develops around the affected joints. Western doctors usually prescribe steroid-based anti-inflammation medicines. The bad thing about this is that these drugs come with a number of harmful side effects. Worse, these drugs can actually induce osteoarthritis in some case thus exacerbating the condition. This has forced doctors to seek other non-steroid ways to resolve osteoarthritis.

Acupuncture is one very good way to treat osteoarthritis, especially if it is combined with the use of NSAIMS or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines. In one controlled clinical study, about 70% of the patients received pain relief right after being treated with acupuncture.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese modality and has been practiced for over 5,000 years. These days, a large number of doctors are also practicing this ancient treatment method. Acupuncture uses ultra thin needles to stimulate the energy pathways in the body. Acupuncturists state that the body possesses over 2000 acupuncture points scattered all over the body. When Qi or vital energy in the body is balanced, the body is able to easily heal itself. O, the primary aim of using acupuncture is to stimulate these acupuncture points to clear out obstructions can be cleared and allow Qi to flow freely.

Western medical scientists believe that these acupuncture points are part of the central nervous system and when they are inserted with acupuncture needles, hormones, neurotransmitters and other special chemicals are released and they all aid the body in healing itself. Through the use of acupuncture for the treatment of osteoarthritis, there will be less and less need for the use of steroid based drugs. This therapy brings quick relief from pain and enables the affected joints to heal naturally and gradually.