Arthritis affects one in six New Zealanders. Osteoarthritis is the most common arthritis in NZ which can occur at any age, but usually starts after the age of 40. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but Acupuncture is one of the most effective ways to relieve pain and control the symptoms of the disease.
What is osteoarthritis?
Sometimes called degenerative joint disease which can occur in any joint in the body but most commonly occurs in the hands and weightbearing joints such as hips, knees, feet and spine. It happens when the cartilage which acts as shock absorber and provides a smooth surface between the bones to allow easy movement begins to deteriorate leaving bones unprotected. As a result the joint loses its ability to move smoothly causing inflammation and pain. Osteoarthritis usually progresses slowly and develops over many years.
What causes osteoarthritis?
The most common reasons are age and joint injury. Degenerative cartilage due to aging is happening to everyone but the degeneration can be worsened with history of injuries i.e. accident, labor intensive work, poor diets and overweight.
Benefits of Acupuncture treating osteoarthritis
1.Relieve pain and inflammation to regain joint mobility.
2. Safe and natural suitable for any age.
3. Help to prevent the condition get worsen, very useful for early stage osteoarthritis.
4. Long lasting results, not like pain killer which only mask the pain whereas acupuncture help the joint to recover if your condition is not severe.
5. Holistic approach, sometimes your joint pain could be just more than joint degenerative but also suffering from other symptoms i.e. fatigue, sleepless.
In general, acupuncture can relieve the pain effectively and facilitate for recovery in some cases. Without the pain you can sleep better with more energy, as a result you can manage and enjoy your daily life activities again.