The pain from bursitis and arthritis are often similar. With bursitis, the fluid-filled sac or bursa inside the joint becomes inflamed. The sac helps to cushion the joint, but movement is painful when the area is inflamed. Arthritis affects the joints throughout the body and causes pain, swelling and stiffness. Bursitis usually occurs in the shoulder, hip, knee or elbow areas. Patients with arthritis and bursitis have seen pain relief through acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture may also reduce the swelling and inflammation.
Pain Reducer
Acupuncture works by applying needles to the injured area to provide healing factors of energy. The needles may be inserted in other areas of the body as well to stimulate energy flow. The technique may alter pain levels because the needles help deactivate part of the brain that deals with pain, according to practitioners. The needles are inserted into the skin at specific points to increase a flow of vital energy along the pathways, known as meridians.
Herbs
Practitioners of acupuncture often use herbs to go along with the treatment of arthritis and bursitis. Some of the herbs used to reduce inflammation to accompany the effects of acupuncture may include turmeric, white willow and evening primrose oil, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Safe Procedure
The pain of osteoarthritis of the knee may be relieved through acupuncture by either the treatment or through a placebo effect, according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Early trials showed that patients experienced less pain relief through acupuncture than those undergoing conventional treatment. However, it has also been shown that non-insertion of needles or insertion in the wrong area also proved to be effective at pain relief through a placebo effect, the ACR notes. But if it provides relief, acupuncture is a safe procedure for people with arthritis. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) states some reviews say acupuncture has been successful at improving function, but that other studies have not reached definite conclusions.
Restores Function
Bursitis may go away in a few weeks with the proper treatment, but there can be recurrent flare-ups. Patients may choose acupuncture instead of being treated with anti-inflammatory drugs or injections. Acupuncture for bursitis is used to relieve pain and to help restore function to the joint. As with the treatment of acupuncture the goal is to take care of the underlying imbalance in energy that may have caused the bursitis.
Joint Pain
Joint pain is the second most common reason for using acupuncture behind back pain, the NCCAM says. Before undergoing treatment, patients usually discuss their condition with the acupuncturist and then go through several acupuncture sessions. They also may follow dietary and herbal advice to accompany the treatment.
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