Arthritis
Acupuncture is a whole-body, whole-system medicine that may support both the cause and symptoms of arthritis using an integrative approach. There are many different kinds of arthritis, with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis being the most common.
What are the main differences between these three conditions?
- Osteoarthritis (OA): caused by wear and tear, often affects bigger joints, asymmetrical
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): autoimmune, inflammatory, often affects smaller joints, symmetrical
- Psoriatic Arthritis (PA): autoimmune, inflammatory, can affect any joint, often coincides with skin psoriasis
Do we approach these differently?
The short answer… yes, 100%.
How?
Well, we form different treatment plans for each of you, regardless of your medical diagnosis. Treatment approaches depend on your individual constitution, lifestyle, imbalances, and symptoms. For example, in RA the focus may be on decreasing widespread inflammation and addressing the root cause of the inflammation.
- For OA, the focus could be on reducing any fluid in the joints and increasing blood flow through target areas. And of course, we’ll aim to reduce any pain symptoms.
- For PA, the focus is similar to that of OA and RA, yet with an added target on the skin if necessary.
Acupuncture can influence your body’s nervous system, promote better circulation, and release natural pain-relieving hormones, which can have an effect on your condition. Often quality of life improves, allowing you to more comfortably engage with the activities you love or require.
The aim is to treat you as a whole, which often addresses any other symptoms, related or not. Treatments often support systems such as: digestive, mental, sleep, endocrine, hormonal, reproductive, skin, circulation, and more.
– Michelle
