WHAT IS OSTEOARTHRITIS?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which slowly wears away the cartilage (soft cushion between the bones) within the joint. It is characterized by pain, stiffness and a reduced range of motion. It can occur in one or both knees.
WHAT CAUSES OSTEOARTHRITIS?
While it is not fully understood why the cartilage wears away, we do know that it is a “wear and tear” disease which is aggravated by several factors. For example, a past injury can increase your chances of developing osteoarthritis. It typically affects you with aging and is more common in people who are obese. It is also twice as common in woman as men.
HOW IS OSTEOARTHRITIS TREATED?
Your doctor will probably recommend therapies that help you manage the pain. Here are some of the most common:
Rest your knee and avoid activities that aggravate the pain
Ice the affected joint for 20-30 minutes twice a day to reduce swelling/inflammation and reduce pain
Use painkillers such as acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) and ibuprophen (such as Motrin)
Injections into the joint of steroids or Hyaluronic acid
Surgery
HOW CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP?
Acupuncture is an effective, clinically proven method for reducing the symptoms of Osteoarthritis and is an excellent alternative to injection therapy. It leads to lowered levels of pain and immobility associated with the disease. In addition, there are no side effects or adverse reactions to acupuncture. People who receive the treatment report less pain, greater mobility, and higher quality of life. Many scientific studies have confirmed that acupuncture works as an excellent addition to conventional treatment of this very common disease.