When performed by a licensed and credentialed professional, acupuncture is generally safe. You should ensure that your acupuncturist is licensed and has received appropriate training if you decide to undergo acupuncture.
Fremont, CA: Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting thin needles into different body parts to alleviate pain and inflammation. The human body has 20 meridians, other pathways that carry qi, a vital form of energy. It is believed that the blockage or disturbance in the flow of qi through a meridian causes pain or disease.
How Acupuncture Benefits Arthritis
The mechanism by which acupuncture reduces pain and inflammation is unclear. According to theories, inflammatory responses are suppressed, blood flow is improved, and muscles are relaxed. In conjunction with other treatments, acupuncture may help manage pain and decrease associated symptoms, but it cannot cure or reverse arthritis.
What the Research Shows
Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and chronic pain have all been shown to benefit from acupuncture. Let’s check how:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Although there is still a lack of standardization in research, a systematic review of 43 studies conducted on human and animal subjects with rheumatoid arthritis shows inconsistent results. However, the results of many studies suggest improvement in symptoms and a decrease in biological markers of rheumatoid arthritis following one to three sessions of acupuncture for four weeks or more.
Osteoarthritis
