Acupuncture for Diagnosis and Treatment of Arthritis: An Ancient Way of Pain Relief
"Chen" is a respected and ancient medical practice in China and other Oriental countries. More popularly known as acupuncture, it provides relief from the symptoms of many diseases. Acupuncture for diagnosis and treatment of arthritis has been widely accepted in the Orient for centuries, and has become more popular in recent decades in the West as well.
The term "Chen," when translated means "to be pricked with a needle." A Dutch doctor by the name of William Ten Rhyne re-named the practice to acupuncture when he made a visit to Japan sometime in the early 1600's. The name may have changed, but the healing principles of acupuncture have remained the same throughout the centuries. Today, acupuncture for diagnosis and treatment of arthritis has been largely accepted by mainstream medicine and isn't seen as 'quackery,' unlike some other facets of traditional medicine. In fact, many health insurers and health maintenance organizations have started to offer coverage for acupuncture therapy.
In Chinese medicine, arthritis is known as bi syndrome. Acupuncturists diagnose this syndrome by determining if the body's energy or qi is being obstructed or prevented from passing through the body's meridians or pathways, which would give rise to various ailments, including arthritis. The type of arthritis is diagnosed by examining the symptoms and determining which factors (cold, damp, or wind) have the most adverse effects. After the diagnosis is made, treatment can start.
Chinese medicine experts can use one of several varieties of acupuncture to treat arthritis. Some may use just plain needles, while others may add heat, pressure, or a low-level electrical current to treat symptoms and provide relief from pain. Again, it all depends on the diagnosis. The effects likewise vary from individual to individual. Some may find relief after only a few sessions while others may need to have regular sessions over several weeks or months before the effects are felt. And then there is a small percentage of arthritis patients who feel no improvement in pain at all even after undergoing acupuncture therapy.
Acupuncture for diagnosis and treatment of arthritis is a very popular and feasible option nowadays, especially after several scientific studies have shown that this ancient method of Chinese medicine is able to relieve pain and inflammation in many individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and similar disorders. But make no mistake, it's not a cure for the disease, according to rheumatologist and acupuncturist Wendell Hatfield. What it does well is to make the lives of patients significantly less painful, and that's an invaluable way to help them cope with living with the disease.
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