Orthopedic pain is an issue for many Americans, and it comes in a number of different forms including knee, hip, shoulder, and other joint pain. According to many studies, acupuncture has been proven to be an effective tool to deal with orthopedic pain.
Chronic pain can be debilitating for those suffering from it and directly impacts quality of life. People often treat chronic pain with anti-inflammatory medications (both prescription and over-the-counter), physical therapy, or with ice and heat, but those options don’t always provide long lasting relief. According to Harvard Medical School, “acupuncture is an option with a good track record that’s worth considering.”
Harvard cites a study originally published in the Archives of Internal Medicine that found acupuncture to be a valid and effective treatment for chronic pain conditions. “Research from an international team of experts adds to the evidence that it does provide real relief from common forms of pain. The team pooled the results of 29 studies involving nearly 18,000 participants. Some had acupuncture, some had ‘sham’ acupuncture, and some didn’t have acupuncture at all. Overall, acupuncture relieved pain by about 50%.”
There are many who find relief through acupuncture treatment for their orthopedic concerns, but it’s important to note that the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment varies for each individual depending on the severity of the condition.
Here are a few ways it can help:
Acupuncture is extremely effective at pain management by modulating pain signals and stimulating the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. Following the gate control theory of pain, the needling process used can activate nerve fibers that inhibit pain signals,.
Acupuncture can reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, aid in muscle relaxation, improve joint and mobility function, address nerve compression, and reduce the stress that so often comes with orthopedic and chronic pain.
What acupuncture does best is not to merely address the pain, but to treat the underlying cause of the pain. For example, acupuncture is often indicated to treat chronic pain conditions that radiate pain along a nerve pathway, pain causing muscle spasms, inflammation, scar tissue, and pain that is in multiple areas of the body.
The number of acupuncture treatments required to properly address these health concerns varies according to the severity of the issue. In general terms, a chronic condition might require one to two weekly treatments for several months, while the sudden onset of pain can likely require a fewer number of visits. For others, I’ve found some patients who have experienced significant relief after just a single treatment.
Just a quick Google search of acupuncture and chronic pain studies provides ample reason to give this therapy serious consideration. One of the greatest benefits to receiving regular acupuncture treatments is that it doesn’t only relieve your current pain — having regular acupuncture sessions can reduce your overall occurrences of pain.
Regular acupuncture treatments go far beyond just pain management — you can strengthen your immune system, decrease stress, lower your blood pressure, and even improve your sleep.
If you struggle with chronic pain, acupuncture is a pharmaceutical-free, low-risk option that studies prove can offer long-term benefits for your overall health, not just your chronic pain.
After doing a proper health assessment, I’ll develop a plan to get you out of pain and back on track to a healthy and active lifestyle!
