I have recently had a few inquiries and new patients with arthritis so I thought I would write a blog on the topic.
What is arthritis?
As documented by the NHS: Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in a joint. In the UK, millions of people have arthritis or other, similar conditions that affect the joints. Arthritis affects people of all ages, including children.
The two common types of arthritis are – Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Please note that there are other types of arthritis but this blog will concentrate on the two most common.
Picture sourced from article Meril: Arthritis Showdown
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis initially affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint. This makes movement more difficult than usual, leading to pain and stiffness. Once the cartilage lining starts to roughen and thin out, the tendons and ligaments have to work harder. This can cause swelling, and the formation of bony spurs called osteophytes
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is less common than osteoarthritis. It often starts when a person is between 30 and 50 years old. Women are more likely to be affected than men. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system targets affected joints, which leads to pain and swelling. The outer covering (synovium) of the joint is the first place affected.
Symptoms
The symptoms you experience will vary depending on the type you have. You may experience but not limited to:
- joint pain, tenderness and stiffness
- inflammation in and around the joints
- restricted movement of the joints
- warm red skin over the affected joint
- weakness and muscle wasting
Some types of arthritis cause symptoms in waves that come and go called flares or flare-ups. Others make your joints feel painful or stiff all the time, or after being physically active.
What are the risk factors?
Anyone can develop arthritis, but some factors may make you more likely to, including:
- Tobacco use: Smoking and using other tobacco products increases your risk of developing arthritis
- Family history: People whose biological family members have arthritis are more likely to develop it.
- Activity level: You might be more likely to have arthritis if you aren’t physically active regularly.
- Other health conditions: Having autoimmune diseases, obesity or any condition that affects your joints increases the chances you’ll develop arthritis.
How does Acupuncture help?
There is some evidence to suggest that acupuncture can help ease arthritis symptoms and improve the quality of life for people with the condition. An article from the Arthritis Foundation discusses in more detail about Acupuncture for Arthritis.
NICE guidelines also states that acupuncture can be a form of treatment to help manage chronic pain. “The guideline makes recommendations for treatments that have been shown to be effective in managing chronic primary pain. These include exercise programmes and the psychological therapies CBT and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Acupuncture is also recommended as an option.”
The NICE definition for chronic pain is explained here: “Chronic pain that is caused by an underlying condition (for example, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, endometriosis) is known as chronic secondary pain. Where the cause of the pain is unclear it is called chronic primary pain.”
