Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis that we see here at our Gold Coast acupuncture clinic. It occurs overtime as the cartilage that cushions your bones wears down. It mostly affects joints in the hands, knees, hips and spine.
Common symptoms of osteoarthritis can often develop slowly and over time. These include:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Tenderness
- Loss of flexibility
- Grating sensation
- Bone spurs; and
- Swelling
While there is nothing that can be done to reverse osteoarthritis, there are preventative measures that can curtail the severity of the disease. Staying active, maintaining a healthy weight as well as seeking treatments, such as Acupuncture or Remedial Massage, can all help improve joint pain and function.
A meta-analysis study, published by BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, conducted research of the effects of acupuncture on osteoarthritis patients. The study found that the use of acupuncture was able to reduce pain intensity, improve functional mobility and quality of life. They found that it was most effective when acupuncture treatments occurred over a period that was longer than 4 weeks.
Our clinic sees numerous arthritis patients who seek acupuncture to help alleviate their pain and stress. Here at Haynes Acupuncture Gold Coast we have four Acupuncturists who are all fully qualified and experienced individuals. To book an appointment with us click here or call 07 5531 6461.
References:
Manyanga, T., Froese, M., Zarychanski, R. et al. Pain management with acupuncture in osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med 14, 312 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-312
Mayo Clinic. 2021. Osteoarthritis – Symptoms and causes. [online] Available at: <https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925> [Accessed 20 May 2021].