Natural Relief for Osteoarthritis

Ask any engineer, and you will probably hear that one of the greatest mechanical creations of all time is the human body. The way the pieces and parts are put together… the scope and range of motion… the ability to sustain and mobilize a fair amount of weight… an engineering marvel, indeed! But like anything mechanical, time and wear and tear can cause malfunctions and breakdowns.

In the human body, the places affected most are the joints. Osteoarthritis, or OA, is the result of losing cartilage – the spongy substance between the bones that protects and cushions them throughout any and all types of movement. When cartilage begins to wear down, the result is pain, stiffness, swelling and locking. This happens more than what you might think; OA is the most common form of arthritis, and as the leading cause of chronic disability in the U.S., it affects nearly 27 million people.

While OA can occur within any joint, an overwhelming majority of patients experience difficulty with knees, hips, hands, feet and the spine. Typically, OA is treated with a combination of lifestyle modification and analgesics, and in more severe cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and even surgery. The drawback to extended use of medications, particularly NSAIDs, is that they make the stomach more prone to bleeding ulcers. Thankfully, there is an alternative. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been treating OA for hundreds of years. Rather than focusing solely on how to make the pain and swelling go away, TCM targets the origin of the ailment. Known as “bi syndrome” within the Eastern approach, it manifests as obstructions in the kidney and liver meridians that ultimately impair blood and qi circulation. The result is then pain, numbing and stiffness in tendons and joints.

Acupuncture continues to be an excellent treatment for patients living with OA. The needles not only clear the pathways allowing for the free movement of energy, but they also induce the release of endorphins and enkaphalins – two natural substances within the body that reduce pain and swelling. Interestingly, a fair amount of studies in the past decade speak to acupuncture’s effectiveness when addressing various types of OA, including a fairly recent report in which researchers noted that acupuncture provided a “considerable specific effect” in objective knee flexibility, as well as a rapid improvement of knee flexibility immediately after classical acupuncture.1

In addition to acupuncture, TCM practitioners will also address important lifestyle components such as food and exercise. Being overweight is an overriding contributor to problematic joints, so maintaining healthy eating habits and reasonable exercise is essential. Many foods have natural anti-inflammatory properties and are excellent choices as part of a smart diet, including fresh pineapple, cherries, fish, turmeric and ginger. Herbal and vitamin supplements can be used to help with pain and swelling, too.

It’s true: the body is a marvel… and one of the most amazing things of all is its ability to heal itself! OA does not have to derail you; find out how acupuncture and TCM can help you run like the well-oiled machine you were designed to be. 

Kyle Smith, diplomate of Oriental medicine (Dipl OM), graduated magna cum laude from Midwest College of Oriental Medicine. Kyle has also studied and taught Tai Chi Chuan for a number of years, including a trip to China with his instructor. As a dedicated practitioner of TCM with Heaven & Earth Acupuncture and Wellness in Brookfield, Wisconsin, he offers free initial consultation and first treatments, and free insurance verification. For more information, visit www.heavenandearthacu.com.

1 http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/671-acupuncturereducekneeflexibility