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Complementary therapies
Acupuncture benefits for osteoarthritis
Patients with osteoarthritis benefit from acupuncture
The so-called 'needle cure' can help relieve the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis, according to new research published in the journal, Arthritis and Rheumatism.
Researchers in Berlin have shown that OA patients who receive acupuncture in addition to routine care have fewer unpleasant symptoms and better quality of life than those who receive routine care alone.
Trials were carried out over a three-year period on more than 3500 patients with chronic pain due to OA.
A proportion of the patients received up to 15 sessions of acupuncture in the first three months while a second control group received no acupuncture. Each patient was followed for six months. In the last three months the control group also received acupuncture treatment.
The results have reopened the debate as to whether acupuncture should be provided as a routine medical option in treating OA. Conventional medications, which include anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, can cause unpleasant side effects.
Acupuncture, which involves placing fine needles in the skin, has been used in the Far East for the last 5000 years. It has gained popularity in the west over the last 30 years and is now provided by an ever increasing number of GPs and hospital doctors in the UK.
Modern research shows that acupuncture can affect most of the body's systems - the nervous system, muscle tone, hormone outputs, circulation, antibody production and allergic responses, as well as the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.
Although acupuncture is generally safer than most conventional treatments, if should always be used by trained practitioners as it can have serious adverse effects and interactions with other treatments.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the UK. By the age of 65, at least half of people will suffer some form of OA, when cartilage around joints becomes damaged and worn, causing pain and stiffness. It tends to get worse with age and is more common among people who are obese.
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.