Arthritis
All types of arthritis can cause severe and chronic pain which can have a profoundly disabling effect on the sufferer. Osteoarthritis (often, perhaps incorrectly, referred to as 'wear and tear' arthritis) is by far the most common type of arthritis.
Though acupuncture is unable to 'cure' arthritis, is can be extremely helpful in relieving the debilitating pain that this condition can cause.
Acupuncture can relive the pain of arthritis in many joints, including the knee, hip, and thumb, though the evidence is particularly strong for osteoarthritis of the knee.1 2
Though acupuncture is unable to 'cure' arthritis, is can be extremely helpful in relieving the debilitating pain that this condition can cause.
Acupuncture can relive the pain of arthritis in many joints, including the knee, hip, and thumb, though the evidence is particularly strong for osteoarthritis of the knee.1 2
Acupuncture for
osteoarthritis
of the thumb
Between 6 and 12 treatments may be required to get on top of the pain.
Occasional 'top-up' treatments may be required in the long-term as acupuncture cannot cure arthritis, but can only relive the pain of the condition.
Nevertheless, acupuncture can be sufficiently effective in relieving the pain for sufferers who had been on the waiting list for joint replacement surgery to no longer need the operation.3
Occasional 'top-up' treatments may be required in the long-term as acupuncture cannot cure arthritis, but can only relive the pain of the condition.
Nevertheless, acupuncture can be sufficiently effective in relieving the pain for sufferers who had been on the waiting list for joint replacement surgery to no longer need the operation.3
Treatment of arthritis of the knee
1. Kwon YD, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Acupuncture for peripheral joint osteoarthritis. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Rheumatology 2006; 45: 1331-1337.
2. White A, Foster NE, Cummings M, Barlas P. Acupuncture treatment for chronic knee pain: a systematic review. Rheumatology 2007; 46: 384-90.
3. Christensen BV, Iuhl IU, Vilbek H, Bülow H-H, Dreijer NC, Rasmussen HF. Acupuncture treatment of severe knee osteoarthrosis. A long-term study. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 1992; 36: 519-525.
2. White A, Foster NE, Cummings M, Barlas P. Acupuncture treatment for chronic knee pain: a systematic review. Rheumatology 2007; 46: 384-90.
3. Christensen BV, Iuhl IU, Vilbek H, Bülow H-H, Dreijer NC, Rasmussen HF. Acupuncture treatment of severe knee osteoarthrosis. A long-term study. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 1992; 36: 519-525.