The Arthritis Society reports that nearly 61% of persons over 65 years in this country have been diagnosed with arthritis. Even though Arlington Arthritis is not curable, an experienced physician can minimize the pain, tenderness, and discomfort it causes.
When arthritis affecting you is severe, your surgeon can recommend you undergo a certain surgical procedure. Surgery can remove the inflamed or torn part of a ligament or other soft structures of your joint.
However, surgical procedures come with numerous potential dangers. For instance, pain can reappear after surgery, and your wound can take a long time to heal. Because of that, your doctor can recommend complementary and alternative solutions to address joint inflammation. Conservative treatments are also effective if your joint inflammation is not severe.
A complementary and alternative treatment your arthritis specialist can recommend is acupuncture therapy.
How acupuncture therapy works
The traditional practice of acupuncture is believed to have begun over 2800 years ago in China. Decades of research show that acupuncture can assist in reducing the severity of discomfort associated with various conditions and illnesses, particularly inflamed joints.
The treatment involves perforating the skin with thin needles in the inflamed areas of your joints. Acupuncture can relieve discomfort originating from your hip, knees, and hands. Making tiny holes in the inflamed joints can help stimulate your brain to release more neurotransmitters, such as endorphins.
As a pain neurotransmitter, endorphins are your body’s naturally-available painkillers and act similarly to medications such as morphine. The increasing level of endorphins leads to more secretion and release of the cortisol hormone.
Cortisol is a hormone that, within a healthy level, helps keep your body safe when in a stressful situation. A condition like arthritis stresses the body. More release of neurotransmitters responsible for relieving pain also stimulates more blood flow.
Because of increased blood flow, more nourishing nutrients are delivered to inflamed joints and throughout your body. A healthy volume of blood flow to a joint affected by arthritis can reduce pain, tenderness, and inflammation.
Alternatives to acupuncture
Other popular complementary and alternative treatments can help relieve tender and swollen joints. These treatments include massage, biofeedback therapy, or physical therapy.
For example, biofeedback therapy involves learning to control processes and tasks of your body that are usually involuntary. The automatic processes of your body that you can train to control consciously include perspiration and heart rate.
Relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing can also help reduce stress levels and alleviate joint inflammation.
Side effects of acupuncture when treating arthritis
Acupuncture is generally safe if the needles for pricking your skin are clean and sterilized. It is also important that the medical doctor treating your arthritis with acupuncture is qualified and experienced.
An inexperienced and unqualified practitioner can perform acupuncture incorrectly. That can lead to the puncturing of your organs, especially your lungs. A punctured lung might cause lung collapse and make it difficult for you to breathe.
Although rare, you can experience mild and temporary issues like tiredness, dizziness, or nausea after acupuncture therapy.
Contact Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists today to schedule an appointment with an arthritis specialist.
