Mayo Clinic on Arthritis by Mayo Clinic

Author:Mayo Clinic [Chang-Miller M.D., April]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: RosettaBooks
Published: 2013-03-07T16:00:00+00:00

Energy therapies

Energy therapies center on the belief that illness results from a blockage or disturbance of the free flow of energy through your body. According to this theory, re-balancing your energy fields can restore health and allow healing to occur. Of all the energy-based therapies, the most well-known and well-studied is acupuncture.

Acupuncture

Originating in China more than 2,500 years ago, acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicine in the world. The system is based on a belief that the body contains a vital life energy that runs along pathways within the body. Imbalances in energy flow are thought to cause illness.

The energy pathways, called meridians, are accessible at approximately 400 different locations, or points, on the body. Practitioners of acupuncture attempt to rebalance your energy flow by inserting extremely fine needles into these points in various combinations.

During a typical acupuncture session, the practitioner inserts disposable, sterilized stainless steel needles into the skin. He or she may manipulate the needles manually or by electrical stimulation or heat.

A typical acupuncture visit may last from 15 to 60 minutes. Therapy usually involves a series of weekly or biweekly treatments. It’s common to have multiple treatments, which can become expensive if the procedure isn’t covered by your insurance.

Scientists don’t fully understand how or why acupuncture works. It’s possible that it may work, in part, by stimulating your body’s painkilling chemicals, called endorphins. Regardless, when performed properly by a trained practitioner, it has proved to be safe and effective for various pain-related conditions, including low back pain, headaches and fibromyalgia.

In a study conducted on acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee, participants were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: acupuncture, sham acupuncture and a self-help program. People receiving acupuncture saw a significant decrease in pain and improvement in function compared with the other groups.

Researchers suggest that acupuncture can complement to standard care for knee osteoarthritis. Other studies on the use of acupuncture for arthritis have varied in quality, but most have shown some benefit.

Acupuncture may be particularly appealing to people who can’t tolerate side effects from long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as well as those with moderate to severe pain who don’t want or can’t undergo surgery.

Hands-on therapies

Also called manual therapies, this popular group of treatments involves the movement or manipulation of one or more parts of the body. These therapies may relax the tissues surrounding joints, improving blood circulation and joint mobility.

Massage

You might think of a massage as a luxury limited to exotic spas and upscale health clubs. But massage can be an excellent way to ease arthritis pain and stiffness. During a massage, a therapist uses his or her fingertips, hands and fists to knead, stroke and manipulate your body’s soft tissues – skin, muscles and tendons. Several versions of massage exist, and they’re performed in settings such as health clubs, salons and massage studios.

Massage can help loosen tight muscles, relieve muscle tension, improve flexibility and reduce stress. Studies show that it can temporarily relieve pain. However, if you

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