Acupuncture for Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. Most folks with osteoarthritis (OA) frequently experience it in their knees, hands, and hips. OA is characterized by stiffness, chronic pain or aching, swelling, and a decline in mobility and flexibility often caused by concurrent symptoms. It’s one of the most common kinds of arthritis and one of the most common causes of chronic knee pain.
Osteoarthritis is a prevalent health condition. An estimated 80% of people 65 and older are affected by it, impacting approximately 240 million adults worldwide. Knee OA keeps more folks from completing everyday functions of living (such as housekeeping and climbing stairs) than any other condition or diagnosis.
Despite how common this condition is, effective treatment for osteoarthritis can be few and far between. Common treatment recommendations in Western medicine can range from supportive devices such as canes, braces, and crutches, to increased exercise and weight loss, to a host of medications to manage inflammation and pain. However, these are not the only treatment options available to folks with osteoarthritis.
Research in Western Medicine is beginning to support the benefits of acupuncture for treating the symptoms of OA, especially chronic pain and inflammation. Acupuncture is becoming more commonly recommended as a nonpharmacologic treatment option to manage symptoms of OA. In fact, acupuncture was one of the recommended treatments/interventions for OA in the 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guidelines.
Research suggests that acupuncture is an effective modality for managing the chronic pain and inflammation produced by osteoarthritis. One systematic review of ten studies reports, “…acupuncture should be considered a viable adjunct or alternative treatment of knee pain and dysfunction associated with osteoarthritis of the knee for the thousands of individuals across the country who are suffering from symptoms of this chronic disease.”
Another meta-analysis indicates that their results, “…provide the most robust evidence to date that acupuncture is a reasonable referral option for patients with chronic pain.”
When managing chronic pain, inflammation, and limited mobility, acupuncture treatment should be seriously considered for individuals struggling with osteoarthritis. Everyone deserves to live pain-free with the ability to engage in activities they enjoy.
If you are one of the many who experiences pain, stiffness, decreased mobility and flexibility, and/or inflammation from osteoarthritis, we encourage you to email us at info@loveacu.net or call our offices at (503) 343 9851. Our providers even offer free 10-minute phone consultations if you’re unsure about how acupuncture could help you. We want to get you back on your feet and back to your life—pain-free.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. Do not wait for an appointment with us. We are happy to work with you on chronic or ongoing health conditions; however, we are not equipped for or specialized in urgent or emergent care.
For Further Reading:
“Osteoarthritis,” Cleveland Clinic; 2019.