Facts about Arthritis
1. Arthritis is a natural deterioration of bone which generally starts around the age of 30.
2. Osteo-arthritis is unavoidable, but treatment with Oriental Medicine can relieve symptoms and
    strengthen bone
3. Exercise and rest are both important in treatment
4. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease which is mostly hereditary.
5. Oriental Medicine has been treating both osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid-arthritis for thousands of years.
6. Cortisone shots to relieve arthritis pain cause immune system weakness.
What is Oriental Medicine Orthopedics?
This is a form of Oriental Medicine which specializes in bone related disorders. Methods such as
acupuncture, herbs, and or Tuina (orthopedic massage) are used. These methods may be used in
combination or separately depending on the situation.
How does it work?
As with all other forms of Oriental Medicine, treatment is focused on the movement of Qi (energy). When Qi
flows smoothly throughout the body, there is no sickness or pain. However, when Qi is blocked, pain with
arise. Our joints are like the bend in a river where water tends to accumulate. Joints are where Qi
accumulated and tends to be blocked. Oriental medical techniques help unblock and promote the smooth
flow of Qi. Once this is established, the pain will reside and the bone will start to heal.
Tuina (Orthopedic Massage)
In our clinic, we often use a technique called Tuina in combination with acupuncture or herbs. Tuina is
a gentle but effective orthopedic massage which helps the flow of Qi around the joints. Many Tuina
movements involve stretching a traction in order to encourage the increase of space between compressed
bone. This combination of Tuina and other Oriental Medicine techniques greatly enhanced the effects of
treatment.
How long will treatment take?
This greatly depends on the person and how long they have suffered with arthritis. Oriental Medicine in
most cases will not give the instant relief that a pharmaceutical drug may. However, once the effects of
treatment start to manifest, the body will not have to rely on anything other than perhaps an occasional
treatment. In non-severe cases, the effects of treatment usually begin within three visits.
Are Acupuncture Treatments Painful?
Acupuncture needless are the thickness of a human hair. There is no injection process involved.
Therefore, it is difficult to compare them to syringes. Most of the time, patients do not feel the needles enter
the body. Occasionally, however, there may be a little pinch sensation. There is also a sensation of ¡°Qi¡±
that is often felt. This is not an unpleasant sensation. It is sometimes described as a ¡°light pressure¡± or
¡° tingle¡±.
Is there anything I can do on my own to treat Arthritis?
Absolutely! All treatments are a joint effort between the physician and patient. The most important treatment
that you can do on your own is exercise. On the top of our list is Taichi and pool exercises. Tai Chi is
a slow movement martial art which helps one cultivate both their mind and internal energy flow. We teach
complementary classes to our patients. In our clinic we also produce herbal plasters which you can take
home and place on the arthritic areas to help promote healing.