Last Updated on 14 June 2024 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
Osteoarthritis is a chronic and painful Degenerative Joint Disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage around joints and is very common. One in five Australians aged over 45 has the condition. [3] Acupuncture for Osteoarthritis can be an effective treatment.
It’s a progressive condition that diminishes the quality of life, and even the health of some sufferers, leading many to require surgical intervention.
It affects joints, most commonly the hands, hips, ankles, knees and spine.
Osteoarthritis is a Disease that both worsens and is worsened by certain health conditions related to movement, so it’s truly important to treat you, the whole person, not just your Osteoarthritis symptoms.
Being diagnosed with a condition that has no cure and progresses can be scary; the Brisbane Livewell Clinic practitioners understand this and have lots of options to help you.
Let’s start with some general information, but first, know that Arthritis Australia says the outlook for most people is very positive! [4]
What are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis symptoms vary between sufferers and can get nasty:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Joint Degeneration
- Bone Spurs
- Joint Cartilage damage
- Ligament Deterioration
- Loss of range of motion
- Loss of movement
What Causes Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis has no known cause, but certain factors have been determined to put people more at risk. They include:
- Being female
- Family history of Osteoarthritis
- Joint injuries and traumas
- Repetitive use of joints and/or joint-loading tasks like heavy lifting, squatting etc
- Excess body weight
- Being over 40
How is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?
Your doctor will diagnose you with Osteoarthritis and will usually require you to obtain x-rays.
Arthritis Australia states that x-rays do not accurately diagnose the kind of Pain you might have, nor does an x-ray showing signs of Osteoarthritis mean you’ll have a lot of Pain or issues relating to your condition. [4]
There is also a chance, they say, that your x-rays will return arthritis free yet you’ll be in considerable Pain.
In all these scenarios Acupuncture is helpful in reducing symptoms and to assist in treating the condition itself.
What Osteoarthritis Treatments Work?
Every individual will have Pain and symptoms specific to them, and so treatment plans through Brisbane Livewell Clinic are always specific to you and your needs.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that benefits greatly from several types of interventions such as:
- Weight Loss Plan and support for those who are overweight, or are becoming overweight due to their condition
- Aids such as insoles and walking sticks
- Pain Management
- Joint replacement surgery
Every step of the way Brisbane Livewell Clinic’s practitioners can assist you to achieve your goals.
Call our friendly and understanding reception staff to find out more about how our practitioners can help you bring your lifestyle back into balance and support you in Pain Management.
Dealing with a condition that for some is aggravated by daily living activities (and even the weather) can be difficult at times, and Acupuncture is an excellent option to keep you up and about and enjoying your life.
Acupuncture for Osteoarthritis
There is no cure for Osteoarthritis but there are treatments!
Your Pain, reduced mobility and even excess weight can be addressed using Acupuncture; simply speak to your practitioner about your personal circumstances.
Why is Acupuncture an Excellent Treatment for Osteoarthritis?
The following quotes are direct from one of the best types of studies that can be conducted in science, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
Regarding Electro-Acupuncture (available at Brisbane Livewell Clinic) for knee Osteoarthritis it reports:
“Acupuncture is excellent in terms of Pain Relief, Affordability and Safety and is applied for different types of musculoskeletal Pain Disorders”. [1]
Yet another of the same types of rigorous reviews reported that:
“The use of Acupuncture is associated with significant reductions in Pain Intensity, improvement in Functional Mobility and Quality of Life…and as an alternative for traditional analgesics in patients with Osteoarthritis”. [2]
Perhaps you’ve come to rely on painkillers and want to reduce/stop, or perhaps you can’t take painkillers or don’t want to.
Acupuncture is a great option for you to help ease the pain you’re in.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Acupuncture uses very small needles to stimulate certain acupuncture points, and some people are surprised that they don’t feel anything in a lot of areas!
However, some people can experience a little tenderness, especially in tight places. This feeling is similar to a massage therapist massaging an area with a knot in it that you didn’t know you had.
Most clients find they get used to the sensation rather quickly. After the first session, the mystery of how it will feel to you is solved!
What Happens in a Session with Your Acupuncturist?
1. Spend Time To Find a Clear Diagnosis
In your initial consultation, our experienced Acupuncturist will spend up time diagnosing your condition, using a wide range of diagnostic tools. The acupuncturist may assess the tongue, skin, pulse and eyes as these areas are seen as major indicators of overall health and well-being.
2. Find Relief With Acupuncture
Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific sites (acupuncture points) along the body’s meridians to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of qi through the individual. Acupuncture is very relaxing and once the needles are inserted, you lie on a massage table and rest for 15-30 minutes. While you are resting, the acupuncture needles are working to balance your whole body. Acupuncture helps address the origin of the problem, while at the same time reducing the painful symptoms that are affecting your health and wellbeing.
3. Medicine Specifically Prepared For Your Condition
Herbs play a prominent role in healing. Herbs can be dispensed as an “off the shelf” formula or our practitioners can create a formula specifically designed for you. Our clinic has over 100 herbs to suit your specific needs.
4. Walk away with a Plan
Our practitioner can offer you a plan for your on-going recovery and other customised programs to support your health, diet and lifestyle.
Acupuncture is widely considered a safe therapy, but occasionally, as with all therapies – conventional and complementary – results may vary, and adverse reactions may be experienced.
For those that do experience adverse reactions to Acupuncture, the most common are itchiness and soreness at the site of the needles, light-headedness, mild bruising and muscle twitching.
You’re encouraged to communicate with your practitioner, they are there for you.
References
[1] Shim, JW., Jung, JW., Kim, SS., 2016, ‘Effects of electroacupuncture for knee Osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol:2016, https://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/3485875.
[2] Manyanga, T., Froese M., Zarychanski, R., Abhou-Setta, A., Frieson, C., Tennenhouse, M., Shay, B. L., 2014, ‘Pain management with acupuncture in Osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 14:312, https://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/14/312.
[3] https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/Osteoarthritis/contents/what-is-Osteoarthritis
[4] https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/types-of-arthritis/Osteoarthritis/
FAQ's
Acupuncture is considered a potentially useful treatment for osteoarthritis. The use of Acupuncture is associated with significant reductions in Pain Intensity, improvement in Functional Mobility and Quality of Life…and as an alternative for traditional analgesics in patients with Osteoarthritis. Studies provide evidence that acupuncture is an effective treatment for pain and physical dysfunction associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Studies provide evidence that acupuncture is an effective treatment for pain and physical dysfunction associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis is a condition that benefits greatly from several types of interventions such as Weight Loss Plan and support for those who are overweight, or are becoming overweight due to their condition, Aids such as insoles and walking sticks, Pain Management, Joint replacement surgery. Dealing with a condition that for some is aggravated by daily living activities (and even the weather) can be difficult at times, and Acupuncture is an excellent option to keep you up and about and enjoying your life.
The use of Acupuncture is associated with significant reductions in Pain Intensity, improvement in Functional Mobility and Quality of Life…and as an alternative for traditional analgesics in patients with Osteoarthritis. Studies provide evidence that acupuncture is an effective treatment for pain and physical dysfunction associated with osteoarthritis
Acupuncture may also be effective because it targets painful tender points, sometimes called trigger points. Additionally, acupuncture may decrease pain-causing inflammation by stimulating the body’s pituitary gland to release cortisol, a hormone that is known to reduce inflammation.
