Acupuncture For The Treatment Of Joint Pain
Do you already know the benefits of acupuncture for the treatment of joint pain? Acupuncture is the basis of traditional Chinese medicine and has been practiced for thousands of years as a complementary treatment to calm various ailments and diseases.
Although the mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic action of this practice of alternative medicine are not yet known, acupuncture is also widespread in the West and there are many people who use it to improve the quality of their life.
In this article we talk about the benefits of acupuncture for the treatment of joint pain . Take note!
Acupuncture for the treatment of joint pain: what is acupuncture?
Although the mechanism of action of acupuncture is not entirely known, there are several studies that confirm the physiological changes resulting from treatment with this therapy to relieve pain, including joint pain.
Acupuncture is based on a set of procedures designed to stimulate certain anatomical points through the use of different techniques. Among these, the best known and whose health benefits have been studied in more depth, is the one that involves the insertion, in strategic points, of small thin needles under the skin to calm the pain caused by various pathologies.
Articolar pains
More than 70% of women over 35 suffer from joint pain, according to a study by the International Osteoarthritis Foundation. (OAFI). This disorder affects the musculoskeletal system and attacks the joints, which are responsible for the mobility of the bones of the knee, ankles, hip and wrists. When it is particularly intense, it prevents you from doing simpler activities like walking or sitting.
Joint pain typically occurs with a sharp stinging sensation, accompanied by stiffness, and limiting joint movement due to inflammation of the area. This limitation seriously interferes with the quality of life, making daily activities and tasks extremely difficult.
Among the symptoms of joint pain we have:
- Joint inflammation, warmth and redness.
- Skin rashes, purple spots.
- Chest pain, difficulty in breathing.
- Abdominal pain
- Fever, sweating or chills.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the major joint disorders that cause disability. It is a degenerative disease that causes the cartilage to deteriorate, leaving the joint unprotected. The bones wear out due to the friction between them, which causes severe pain and stiffness in the joint.
The effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of joint pain
Age, overweight, and heredity are predisposing factors to osteoarthritis, and sometimes even minor lifestyle changes can help improve symptoms. However, several studies have shown the effectiveness of acupuncture as an alternative therapy in treating this disorder .
A systematic analysis, collected in the Cochrane health database , showed that acupuncture helps to slightly reduce pain and improve physical function in patients with osteoarthritis.
For the trial, the patients were divided into 2 groups: one group underwent acupuncture treatment, while the other served as a control group (did not receive any treatment). Around the eighth and twenty-sixth week, patients undergoing acupuncture showed a reduction in pain and improved physical function compared to the untreated group.
Joint pain due to drugs
Joint pain can also occur as a side effect of certain medications. Aromatase inhibitors are prescribed in the treatment of patients with breast cancer or in postmenopausal women with a high risk of developing it. This treatment can cause joint pain so intense that it forces patients to abandon it.
A recent study conducted by the SWOG (Southwest Oncology Group) cancer research network has shown that acupuncture is able to significantly reduce joint pain caused by treatment with aromatase inhibitors in postmenopausal patients with a principle of breast cancer.
The 226 patients, from different medical centers involved in the study, were divided into 3 groups :
- Acupuncture treatment
- Simulated acupuncture treatment
- No treatment
After 12 weeks, patients undergoing acupuncture treatment reported a decrease in pain, even for several months. This undoubtedly represents progress in the use of alternatives to opioid drugs and the side effects they entail.
Acupuncture for the treatment of joint pain: conclusions
Taking into account the results obtained, it was concluded that although more research is needed to investigate its mechanism of action, acupuncture is not only effective in the treatment of joint pain. It has also shown beneficial effects in the treatment of fibromyalgia and other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.
It is for this reason that several health professionals take seriously the possibility of offering their patients acupuncture as a complementary therapy to traditional treatments. Furthermore, in some Italian regions it is paid for by the Regional Health Service.
