HOW IS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (R.A.) TREATED WITH ACUPUNCTURE?

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS:

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune disease (the immune system creates it’s on antibodies in the blood and mistakes parts of the body as a pathogen and attacks its own cells) that is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints; particularly the synovial joints. While the inflammation of the tissue surrounds the joints, the disease can cause injury and inflammation to other organs in the body. A joint is the point of connection where two bones meet and in between that joint is cartilage and soft tissue. Rheumatoid Arthritis can also destroy the cartilage in between the bones. Chronic inflammation can lead to destroy of the cartilage, bones, and ligaments in the surrounding tissues; causing the bones to be deformed. Because this disease attacks other organs it is also considered a systemic disease or rheumatoid disease. Some characteristics of Rheumatoid Arthritis are swelling, pain, stiffness, redness in the joints and fatigue, which can be mild or severe. However, the degree of the inflammation, pain and swelling does not directly affect the destroying of the bones. Persistent stiffness in the morning that digresses as the day goes on is an early sign of Rheumatoid Arthritis. This pain can last up to an hour or a few hours. Rheumatoid Arthritis pain can also be felt after sitting for long periods of time.

POSSIBLE CAUSES:

There is no known cause for Rheumatoid Arthritis. In theory there are some risk factors. There is an increase in occurrence of Rheumatoid Arthritis in women whom have never been pregnant and in women that have given birth. Rheumatoid Arthritis is more common in women than in men. Statistics show that 70% more or women have Rheumatoid Arthritis than in men. There is genetic link to Rheumatoid Arthritis that can run in families. An individual with “specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes are at a greater risk of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis. Other factors include cigarette smoking and increasing age.

TREATMENT:

Research studies show there isn’t a known cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis. A few goals of treatment are to reduce inflammation and manage pain, maximize joint function. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate test also called ESR measures the speed of red blood cells as they fall to the bottom of the glass testing tube. When abnormal proteins are present in the blood due to inflammation, red blood cells clump together and sink more quickly. This blood test is useful in detecting inflammation in the body that may be caused by some cancers, infections and auto-immunes diseases. X-rays are also taken to determine the joints that are affected by inflammation and to see if there had been damage to the bones. Drugs used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis are corticosteroids such as Prednisone to reduce joint inflammation and pain. Plaquenil (hydroychloroquine) is also a common drug among many to promote remission of the disease by preventing progressive joint destruction. Depending upon severity of the disease, surgery is needed to maximize joint mobility.

Resent study listed on website HealthDay Source: Arthritis & Rheumatism, news release, Nov. 28, 2012 states, “"Joint arthroplasty is successful in relieving the pain and disability caused by hip or knee arthritis," study author Dr. Bheeshma Ravi, from the University of Toronto and Women's College Research Institute, said in a journal news release. "While complication rates are low, there are some cases with serious consequences that include infection, joint dislocation, blood clots and even death."

ACUPUNCTURE TO BENEFIT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (R.A.):

Acupuncture has been established and utilized for over 4000 years and is a safe and effective method of treatment for patients debilitated by Rheumatoid Arthritis. Acupuncture encourages the body to promote natural healing, improve functioning, and promote and restore health. This is done by inserting very thin needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation when needed at precise acupuncture points.

Acupuncture is safe and has an efficacious approach for treating Rheumatoid Arthritis. A desirable benefit of using acupuncture to treat RA is that it is drug-free and has the same effect to minimize pain. Treatment regimens that include prescription drugs can cause a tolerance and increased doses are needed to have an effect (depending on the individual). There are no side-effects and risk for worsening of the disease as a result of acupuncture. Acupuncture treatments are performed by licensed and experienced acupuncturist. Each individual has a personalized treatment regimen that is also tailor for their needs as their treated for RA. Many patients find acupuncture to be a tremendous benefit.

Often patients seek acupuncture therapy after exhausting other avenues of treatment. In many incidences, acupuncture is able to prevail when pain medications won't even work. Acupuncture helps strengthen blood circulation, unblock the organ systems and seeks to remove blood stagnation. Acupuncture is FDA approved and is safe because no drugs or hazardous equipment, such as x-rays, are used. There are no irreversible procedures, such as surgical operations, performed. There is not even a hypodermic needle involved. Many MDs and registered nurses refer patients to us for acupuncture because it is beneficial in treating auto immune diseases.

CASE STUDIES

New England Journal of Medicine

“Placebo-Controlled Trial of Tofacitinib Monotherapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis”

Research study on use of drug Tofacitinib shows that various dosages of this drug were given as a trial to multiple patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Six of the patients who were receiving Tofacitinib experience common adverse reactions of headache and upper respiratory tract infection.