Needlework – Arthritis Treatment?
I hate needles. I know – strange for a nurse. I can give injections without any problem but come at me with a needle and the chase is on. It’s really an example of “better to give than receive”, as far as I’m concerned
That being said I actually paid for someone to stick needles in my hands, arms and knees a year ago.
I have arthritis. Osteoarthritis, to be more specific. It affects my hands, knees, shoulders and ankle joints. Some days more than others.
Now maybe you are thinking – she’s old. Old people get arthritis and walk with a cane. Guess what. Only a little past middle age (in my mind) and no cane.
There are several types of arthritis.
- Osteoarthritis – over 27 million Americans suffer this type of arthritis pain.
- Juvenile arthritis effects over 300,000 families in the U.S.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – the immune system attacks the body’s joints in the 1.5 million people with this type of arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Gout
Just to name a few.
Osteoarthritis causes pain, stiffness, swelling in and around the joints. Risk factors are genetic variances in cells that produce collagen, needed for cell repair, obesity which causes increased pressure, wear and tear on the joints, sports injuries, and aging. There can be a sudden increase in symptoms any given day, as well as days when it’s not as acute. Some people say damp, cold weather and humidity or increased barometric pressure causes more pain. While some doctors disagree I tend to go with the people who have experienced arthritis pain for many years and can relate it to weather specific events. Fatigue makes it worse as well.
The topic is too long and varied to go into much more than an overview of symptoms and treatments in addition to mentioning different types. The Arthritis Foundation has an outstanding website I would encourage you to visit for more information. They also offer a free book “Tips for Good Living with Arthritis “on their site. The question and answer format regarding risks, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment are user friendly – a good place for basic information to start a dialogue with your physician.
New studies have shown there may be a correlation between low Vitamin K levels and arthritis. There is some indication that Vitamin K supplements (500 mcg) can lessen the severity or even keep it from occurring. Vitamin K is found specifically in green leafy vegetables and broccoli. Like any medication ALWAYS check with your doctor before adding a supplement to your diet. Some vitamins can interfere with other medication you may be taking, especially blood thinners.
Treatments?
- Medications – many more drugs are available now than 10 years ago that effectively treat the symptoms. The first generation arthritis drugs had some severe side effects and were taken off the market. Today’s medications are much better and have options of how frequently and by what route they are administered.
- Weight control. Less weight carried by your skeleton makes less pressure, wear and tear on your joints.
- Increased physical activity, especially swimming which eases pressure on the joints as you exercise.
- Stretching
- Strength training
- Dietary Supplements
- Massage
- Acupuncture.
Ahhh, yes, the needle-work connection!
Being self- employed insurance is an issue – having affordable insurance with great coverage and a drug policy, that is. A couple of years ago I found myself with a policy that did not cover medications. Arthritis medication is not cheap. I stopped taking it and my joints really complained. I met an acupuncturist through a neighbor. I watched him get a treatment for knee pain (through my half closed eyes because it looked PAINFUL!). My neighbor assured me it did NOT hurt. The acupuncturist let me see the needles. Some were as fine as a hair, almost invisible. He offered a free treatment. Now, I really like free. It kind of mitigated the thought of the needle. Free was certainly better than the price I was paying for medication each month. So I tried it.
What was it like? I have to say the worst part was seeing the little tiny needles sticking out of my hands between my knuckles and on each wrist. and the adjustment every 10 minutes for ½ hour. Oh, and sitting still, doing nothing, for 30 minutes was difficult as well but it’s hard to read a book with needles in your hands. Did it hurt? Not pain exactly – more like a little tiny electric shock when the needles were turned. I was assured the shock indicated the needle was well placed. I was told 6-10 treatments should keep me pain free for 6 weeks to 3 months. By the third treatment I noticed a dramatic difference in range of motion in all my joints, less stiffness and pain. By the end of the 6th treatment I was pain free. It has lasted almost a year.
Will it work for you? I don’t know. I’ve seen it listed as a treatment in medical journals. Some doctors will recommend it. I’ve seen the results . Everyone is different. Did it work because I believed it would work? The brain is a marvelous tool but I was skeptical and it still was effective FOR ME. Will it work the next time I need treatment? Most likely.
Acupuncture, as a medical treatment modality, has been around for hundreds of years. It has been used for everything from migraines to infertility. I’ve seen it used as a tool to stop smoking – effective for someone who had been a heavy smoker for 30 years. For a treatment to find continued practice as long as acupuncture has there must be some validity to the science.
It is a science. There is very exact placement of the needles according to what is being treated. The location, depth, size of the needle are all considered by the practitioner who has undergone lengthy training in this procedure. The number of treatments vary. The length of time the results last vary as well.
Keep your options open. To learn more about arthritis and other treatment options talk with your physician, your local arthritis foundation chapter, or check out the website at www.arthritisfoundation.org. To learn more about acupuncture check out the National Institute of Health’s web site at nccam.nih.gov or Cleveland Clinic’s web site at my.clevelandclinic.org/acupuncture.
Think about it.