Rheumatoid Arthritis
Acupuncture for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease. The cause for this disease is the immune system which protects the body attacks the joints, tissues and other parts of the body. It is one of the very painful disease and also cause physical disability. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation that affects the lining of the joints resulting in painful swelling and eventually leads to bone erosion and joint deformity. The inflammation that affects the joints is a cause of concern that can damage other parts of the body such as heart, lungs, skin, eyes, blood vessels.
Signs and symptoms:
The first symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is the painful tender swelling in the smaller joints causing limited movement in the joints. In most of the cases, it is seen in joints in fingers of the hand and toes of the feet. The pain can be in same joint in both sides of the body. As the disease progresses, it can affects bigger joints of the body such as wrist, elbow, knee. In worst cases, there is joint deformity eventually leading to physical disability. In most of the cases, the attack is more in the early morning leading to inactivity in the daytime. Along with pain, fever, fatigue and loss of appetite are other symptoms.
Risk factors
Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than in men. It can occur at any age but mostly seen in middle age group. Some of the patients had a family history with rheumatoid arthritis. Obesity and overweight people are at higher risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis. Smokers are higher prone to this disease mainly to genetic predisposition. Smoking people has greater disease severity.
Complications:
People with rheumatoid arthritis when left untreated can develop heart problems with increased chances of blocked arteries and also inflammation in the sac that covers the sac.in some untreated cases, patients suffered shortness of breath due to scarring of lung tissues and inflammation of the lungs. Rheumatoid arthritis more likely leads to Sjogren’s syndrome where is decrease amount of saliva and it causes dry mouth and dry eyes.
Why Acupuncture The Choice Of Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Acupuncture is the ideal treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Acupuncture needles when at acupressure points produces a signal that travels along the spinal cord to the brain where the neurotransmitters called endomorphins are released that are believed to reduce pain. Also the acupuncture needles when placed at pressure point produces cortisols that reduce inflammation in the joints. Acupuncture may stimulate other pain relieving chemicals in the body. However, Acupuncture is contraindicated (not suitable) in patients with pacemaker, pregnancy women, and patients with bleeding disorder. The side effects of acupuncture is only prick points and is safe. Acupuncturist begins the treatment after detailed examination and investigation such as blood tests. The treatment can take several session based on the severity of the disease.
