Osteoarthritis and Acupuncture
This blog post discusses osteoarthritis research coming out of Britain on acupuncture benefits for osteoarthritis.* The National Institutes of Health have also done extensive osteoarthritis research reaching the same conclusion. To read about our own acupuncture treatment click RALEIGH ACUPUNCTURE ARTHRITIS TREATMENT.
Scope of Osteoarthritis Research
Papers describing individual trials are summarized in Table 1. Over a 20 year period six distinct trials were carried out (some of the papers are different analyses of the same trial) involving a total of 191 patients. Gaw et al (1975), compared real and sham acupuncture for a range of osteoarthritic joints.
Sham points are described as contiguous with traditional points and were needled without obtaining deqi. Although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups, both the experimental (real acupuncture) and the control (sham acupuncture) groups showed an improvement in
tenderness, pain and mobility as assessed by two independent, blinded observers.
Thumb Arthritis
Dickens & Lewith (1989), examined the effectiveness of acupuncture for osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb. In an attempt to side step the complications caused by sham acupuncture mock TNS was used for the control group. Again the difference between the experimental and the control groups was not statistically significant in this small sample, but acupuncture gave much better pain relief than the mock TENS.
Neck Arthritis
Lundeberg (1991), Thomas (1991) and Eriksson (1991), all write on trials of acupuncture in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae. In Lundeberg’s article patients were allocated randomly to four treatment groups, receiving manual acupuncture (with deqi obtained), sham acupuncture and electroacupuncture at low and high frequencies.
One treatment was given and effects measured by visual analogue scales shortly after. All experimental groups showed significant reductions in pain intensity and affect. Thomas reports on another four arm study comparing real and sham acupuncture and standard (diazapam) and placebo pain medications.
Acupuncture Best Option
Acupuncture produced the most significant reductions in pain scores in this short term evaluation. As acupuncture afforded the greatest relief it should be considered routinely for a non-drug treatment option, especially when wishing to avoid the sedative side effects of benzodiazepines. In the final article relating to this project Eriksson reports that pre-treatment with diazepam and naloxone (which blocks endorphins) diminishes the impact of acupuncture.
Knee Arthritis
Christensen (1992), reports a single blind trial of severe osteoarthritis of the knees with all 29 patients in the study awaiting surgery for their condition. It compares acupuncture to a control group receiving delayed treatment (nine weeks later). Six treatments were given with maintenance care available for a further 50 weeks.
Assessments included objective measures of distance walked and mobility as well as self assessed scales. In the treatment group improvement was recorded in pain levels, range of movement, mobility, and reduction in medication and a statistically significant difference was found between the treatment and control groups. The control group also recorded a decrease in pain when it was treated.
Impressive Results
This osteoarthritis research shows impressive result. Seven patients were also able to avoid surgery (at a total estimated saving of $60,000) and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications reduced significantly. The authors conclude mildly ‘that acupuncture does work on knee osteoarthritis’.
Understanding Acupuncture
Bulow (1992), reports a further analysis of the Christensen (1992) trial. The data from the trial are examined in an attempt to identify the factors likely to predict a positive outcome from acupuncture treatment. It concludes that it is not possible to pinpoint in advance which patients might best benefit. It is noted however that less chronic conditions responded better to treatment, yet increasing age and severity of the condition did not appear to negatively influence the outcome of the treatment.
Electric Acupuncture
Berman (1995), reports an uncontrolled outcome trial of 12 patients treated for moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee. Low frequency electrical stimulation was given to points St35 and Extra-Xiyan, otherwise manual stimulation was given. Treatment effect was assessed in terms of pain, function and physical performance. It is the only study that used more than one distal point in addition to local points .Two thirds of patients registered a 50% or better alleviation of their condition and there were no significant adverse side effects.
Discussion
Without exception these osteoarthritis research papers report an improvement following acupuncture treatment. (emphasis added). In addition the reduced reliance on medications and surgery mean both possible cost savings and reduced side effects. Where side effects from acupuncture are mentioned, (Gaw (1975) and Berman (1995)), they are described as negligible or insignificant.
Conclusion
Overall, acupuncture is shown to give relief from the symptoms of osteoarthritis with negligible side effects and acupuncture practitioners should treat with high expectations of a worthwhile outcome. Neither the chronicity and severity of the condition nor the age of the patient should be seen as factors preventing a useful outcome. Acupuncture may also be more effective than standard care options (Christensen 1992) but practitioners should ensure that acupuncture treatment is complemented by other useful procedures, for example exercise and weight reduction.
CLICK HERE to watch a short video describing how we treat arthritis.
Next Steps
If you suffer from arthritis, come in for acupuncture. BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online. Or call us at 919-819-8113.
To learn more about our treatment for arthritis, click RALEIGH ACUPUNCTURE ARTHRITIS TREATMENT.
For a list of all the conditions we treat click ALL CONDITIONS WE TREAT.
*Edited and produced by the Acupuncture Research Resource Center, Published by the British Acupuncture Council, June 1998.
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