According to the National Institute of Health, 20 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. Although some drugs are available to help control the pain, they don't always work, and they can have side effects that make taking them difficult, if not impossible, for some people to use. The search for alternative treatments continues, but acupuncture is successful for many.
Does Acupuncture Work?
In a study reported in the November 2006 issue of Arthritis and Rheumatism, German researchers noted that after three months of acupuncture, patients who suffered from osteoarthritis in their hips or knees showed "marked clinical improvement." A study sponsored by the National Institute of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reported in the December 2004 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine found that 190 study participants who suffered from osteoarthritis of the knee and who received acupuncture treatment reported significantly less pain than two other groups of arthritis sufferers who received either sham acupuncture or only educational counseling.
What to Expect
Acupuncturists insert slim steel needles at various points on the body to correct imbalances in the body's energy. The needles are thin, and the patient should experience little, if any, pain upon insertion. The needles are believed to increase the release of pain-blocking endorphins. During treatment for arthritis, the number and location of needles will vary on the location of the pain.
The needles are left in place from several minutes to an hour. The practitioner may twirl the needle, warm them or even apply a mild electrical current to the needle to intensify the effect of the treatment. If at any time you become uncomfortable, be sure to inform your practitioner.
Acupuncture usually consists of a series of treatments. Each treatment may focus on a different area or aspect of arthritis.
Look for a licensed acupuncture practitioner who is accredited. Two organizations that accredit acupuncturists are the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA) and the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM).
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