Arthritis: How to Understand It and Find Real Relief
Living with arthritis pain whether it’s joint pain, stiffness, or fatigue can make everyday movement harder than it should be. The good news is that you don’t have to tolerate arthritis symptoms, and there are safe, effective ways to manage arthritis pain and improve quality of life. A holistic arthritis approach that blends evidence-based Western medicine with gentle therapies like acupuncture for arthritis can help you stay active and healthy.
What Western Medicine Says About Arthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, affecting millions worldwide. It happens when cartilage between the joints wears down, often in the hands , knees, hips, and spine. Aging, joint injuries, repetitive motion, and genetics all increase risk (Maqbool, 2021). Standard treatment focuses on pain relief, physical therapy, weight management, and sometimes surgery. Anti-inflammatory medications can help but may have side effects with long-term use (Ezzo et al., 2001).
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the joint lining, causing inflammation and potential long-term damage. RA usually affects the same joints on both sides of the body and is more common in women (Bullock, 2018). Treatment includes disease-modifying drugs, physical therapy, and lifestyle support to reduce inflammation and preserve joint function (WHO, 2023)
How Acupuncture Supports Arthritis Relief
Acupuncture is a safe, evidence-based Eastern therapy that can complement Western treatments. Research shows that people with knee osteoarthritis experienced significant reductions in pain and improvements in function after a series of acupuncture sessions (Manheimer et al., 2006). Systematic reviews support that acupuncture can reduce arthritis pain more than placebo (Ezzo et al., 2001)
How it works:
- Fine, sterile needles are placed at specific points along energy pathways (meridians) to help unblock Qi, ease tension, and support natural pain regulation (Manheimer et al., 2006)
- Practitioners may also include herbal remedies, massage or gentle movement therapies like Qi Gong or Tai Chi.
- Because acupuncture is low-risk, it can be a valuable part of a holistic arthritis approach without side effects (Maqbool, 2021).
The Whole-Body Perspective on Arthritis Relief
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, arthritis symptoms often reflect imbalances or stagnation in Qi. The goal is to restore balance and support the body’s self- healing capacity, not just mask pain. Combining acupuncture with lifestyle practices like stress management and mindful movement supports both joint health and overall well-being (Manheimer et al., 2006; Ezzo et al., 2001)
Patients in Charleston and Mount Pleasant, SC can benefit from this approach without having to travel far from home.
References:
- Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-assessed Reviews – NCBI Bookshelf. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK68735
- Bullock, J., Rizvi, S. A. A., Saleh, A. M., Ahmed, S. S., Do, D. P., Ansari, R. A., & Ahmed, J. (2018). Rheumatoid arthritis: A brief overview of the treatment. Medical Principles and Practice: International Journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre, 27(6), 501–507. https://doi.org/10.1159/000493390
- Ezzo, J., Hadhazy, V., Birch, S., Lao, L., Kaplan, G., Hochberg, M., & Berman, B. (2001). Acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee: A systematic review. Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-assessed Reviews. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK68735
- Manheimer, E., Lim, B., Lao, L., & Berman, B. (2006). Acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis—a randomised trial using a novel sham. Acupuncture in Medicine: Journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, 24(Suppl), S7–S14. https://doi.org/10.1136/aim.24.suppl.7
- Maqbool, M., Fekadu, G., Jiang, X., Bekele, F., Tolossa, T., Turi, E., Fetensa, G., & Fanta, K. (2021). An up to date on clinical prospects and management of osteoarthritis. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 72, 103077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2021.103077
- World Health Organization. (2023, June 28). Rheumatoid arthritis. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rheumatoid-arthritis
