Conditions That Acupuncture Treats

Arthritis

Arthritis is a very common disorder and osteoarthritis is the most common type. Almost all individuals develop some degree of arthritis as they get older as wear and tear causes it. As people use their joints over the decades, the cartilage at the end of the bones that protects them starts to wear down. Once it is gone, the bones rub against each other. This is what causes the tenderness, flexibility loss, pain, stiffness, grating sensation, and in some cases, bone spurs. Medications and physical therapy can help patients to retain their mobility. However, acupuncture has also been shown to be an effective complement to traditional therapies. A recent study performed by the National Institutes of Health concluded that acupuncture might improve mobility by approximately forty percent and reduce pain by forty-four percent. It helps patients to relax and may stimulate blood flow to arthritic areas to promote healing and to reduce the speed at which joint damage is progressing.