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Another Option To Relieve Arthritis Pain?… Acupuncture Is A Powerful Addition

will-christensen-picIssue 11.10

If you live with arthritis, you know what a challenge it can be to find relief from joint pain and other symptoms.  But there are many things you can do to manage and control your arthritis and live a healthy, active life.  Acupuncture can be a powerful addition to any treatment plan – without causing harmful side effects.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, affecting more than 21 million Americans.  OA occurs when the cartilage between the joints break down, usually affecting the hips, hands, knees, low back, or neck.

Some factors can increase your risk, including a joint injury, being overweight, aging, and genetics.  Putting stress on a joint through repetitive motion can also increase your risk.

Acupuncture offers a safe, natural way to control joint pain and other symptoms and maintain overall health.  In fact, a 2004 study showed that patients with OA of the knee experienced a 40 percent decrease in pain and a 40 percent increase in function after receiving a series of acupuncture treatments.

Another benefit to acupuncture is that it is a drug-free treatment to minimize pain.  With drugs, people often develop a tolerance, or the need for an increased dosage to achieve the same required effect.  This does not happen with acupuncture.

During treatment, fine, sterile needles will be inserted at specific points near the joints to increase healing, remove inflammation and decrease pain. 

It is very important that acupuncture isn’t the only treatment method.  Your health-care provider may recommend acupuncture treatment along with other treatment methods such as joint mobilization, massage, stretching or medication.  In fact, a recent study done in June of 2008 in Beijing China compared the treatment of acupuncture together with medical treatment.  They found when the treatments were integrated together there was an even better response.  

At Advanced Spine and Rehabilitation, Dr. Will Christensen is both a chiropractic physician and certified in acupuncture.  His approach is to integrate both his specialties along with your current medical doctor’s treatment to help increase movement, improve function, and decrease arthritis pain.  For additional information please call Advanced Spine & Rehab at 435-656-3266.  You can also visit www.StGeorgePainRelief.com for more information.

 

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