Acupuncture for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Kindel Media

Rheumatoid arthritis, known as RA for short, is an inflammatory condition characterized by arthritis flare-ups and periods where symptoms improve or even disappear completely. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that around 55 million Americans have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis, and that number is expected to increase as our population ages. Here at Rocky Coast Integrative Medicine in Portland,  Maine, chronic pain from RA is one of the most common conditions we treat. It is estimated that over 26% of all Mainers have or will have arthritis in their lifetimes.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

RA symptoms primarily affect the joints causing stiffness, swelling, and pain. But RA symptoms can affect other parts of the body, too.

Some common RA symptoms include:

●      Hot, swollen joints

●      Joint stiffness and pain

●      Lack of energy

●      Fever

●      Sweating

●      Reduced appetite

●      Weight loss

RA may also increase your risk of cardiovascular disease and cause other complications such as carpal tunnel syndrome, dry eyes, chest pain, or shortness of breath. In severe cases, the joints can become permanently damaged.

One of the key features of RA is that its symptoms can come and go. These arthritis flare-ups are thought to be triggered by stress, tiredness, and certain foods, but each person is different.

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Western View

RA is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the immune system does not recognize the body’s own cells and begins to attack them. Autoimmune disorders can affect many different parts of the body, but in the case of RA, the immune system attacks the joints.

When the immune system identifies a potential threat such as an injury or a virus, it creates inflammation. In most cases, inflammation is a normal and healthy immune response. It helps to prevent infections and plays an important role in the healing process. Once the potential threat is gone, the inflammatory response should switch off. However, in clients with RA, this is not the case.

Because the inflammation caused by RA never fully switches off, it can cause chronic swelling and pain. Eventually, it can cause the joints to become deformed and affect other parts of the body too.

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis? An Eastern View

Eastern therapies such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) see inflammation differently. In TCM, conditions such as RA are said to be caused by stagnant qi and blood.

Qii and blood are essential for good health. They have many important roles including nourishing, warming, and protecting us from disease. However, to fulfill these roles, they need to be able to reach every part of the body from head to toe.

If a blockage occurs for any reason, these vital substances cannot circulate freely and may get stuck in one area. This causes symptoms such as stiffness and pain. When the stiffness and pain become chronic, we call this condition bi syndrome (bi is the Chinese word for “obstruction”).

There are many different types of bi syndrome in TCM. The exact diagnosis depends on whether the pain is fixed in one area or comes and goes; whether it is eased or aggravated by movement; and whether it can be relieved by heat or cold. A licensed acupuncturist will typically ask questions during the initial intake to help determine which type of bi syndrome you may be experiencing.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

There is no cure for RA and treatment is usually focused on arthritis pain management and reducing the risk of flare-ups. RA is typically treated with anti-inflammatory medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or steroids, or painkillers such as acetaminophen.

Stronger medication such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or biological treatments can also be used to keep the immune system under control and reduce the frequency of arthritis flare-ups.

Unfortunately, all of these drugs can cause side effects and may need to be taken for life. Therefore, many people with RA choose to manage their symptoms with more natural methods such as acupuncture, or use acupuncture to help offset the negative side effects of their prescribed medications.

Does Acupuncture Help With Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain?

Acupuncture is an ancient therapy that uses ultra-fine needles placed at specific points on the body to treat disease.

Acupuncture benefits RA clients in several different ways. From a TCM perspective, it is an effective treatment for promoting the free flow of qi and blood and relieving bi syndrome. It can help to clear away excess heat and restore a state of balance to the body and mind.

In western medical terms, acupuncture for RA works by reducing inflammation and releasing endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers. It can also help to relieve stress, one of the major triggers of RA flare-ups.

Acupuncture is holistic, meaning that it views the body as a whole rather than focusing on individual symptoms. When you come for your first treatment, your provider will take a detailed medical history including past and present symptoms and information about your diet and lifestyle. They will then make a diagnosis and decide on the best course of action for you.

Why choose acupuncture for your RA pain?

The benefit to looking at your case in a holistic way is that it allows for a far more personalized treatment. For example, two clients may both be diagnosed with RA and given the same prescription medicine by their doctors. But when they come to our offices for acupuncture treatment the first clients has extreme fatigue that is worse in the damp weather, with hot, red, swollen joints; while the second person may come only complaining of chronic lower back pain, with a relatively sharp, fixed pain in one part of the lower back. The acupuncture treatment offered to these two RA cases may be completely different. Each treatment is tailored to each unique situation.

Acupuncture treatment may be given alone, or in combination with herbal medicine. You will also be given personalized lifestyle and dietary advice to help you manage your condition between sessions.

If you would like to learn more about how acupuncture can help you and what will be required, schedule a telemedicine appointment. One of our licensed acupuncturists will walk through your specific symptoms with you, help you understand your specific condition, and talk through the holistic treatment options available.