The word “arthritis” comes from the Latin root for “joint” (arthro) and the Latin/Greek root for “inflammation” (itis) and it can be used to describe pain, swelling and stiffness in any joint. The standard, Western medical definition is:
Acute or chronic inflammation of a joint, often accompanied by pain and structural changes and having diverse causes, as infection, crystal deposition, or injury.
The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis–which often occurs as we age and is characterized by pain in the fingers, knees and hips–and rheumatoid arthritis, which represents a problem with the body’s defense system and can have an onset in the younger years. People with rheumatoid arthritis often exhibit symmetrical inflammation of the joints, commonly in the hands and feet.
In Chinese Medicine, any kind of pain/inflammation or stiffness is seen as a “blockage” of blood, fluids and/or energy. In the case of the joints and bones, we call this condition “bi syndrome.” In Chinese, “bi” means blockage. This syndrome comes in many different forms — fixed, wandering, painful, hot, damp and cold — depending on how it presents in your body.
Acupuncture can be very effective in treating arthritis. It helps increase the flow of blood, fluids and energy in the joints, decreasing stiffness and facilitating movement of the joints. And because it encourages movement, it relieves pain in the process.
Don’t let arthritis prevent you from doing the things you love. Give us a call and make an appointment to get started on your path to relief.