Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Osteoarthritis

TCM Description:

External (full) stagnation of qi and blood caused by invasion of cold, wind and/or damp with underlying emptiness. Bi complex.

Treatment.

Dispel cold and/or damp and invigorate qi and blood circulation.

• Moxa - use warm needle on local points and moxa stick to warm whole area. Can also use moxa on distal points.
• Acupuncture - use mainly local and Ah shi points.
• Ah Shi points - Find and needle the small, congested and tender points around the joint line.
• Local points - Use several
• Distal points - Choose points that invigorate qi and blood circulation and/or resolve damp.
• Massage - deep and vigorous. Helps warm area and very useful for finding ah shi points.
• Herbs - There are several patent formula for treating cold and damp Bi. Eg: Xiao Huo Luo Dan, Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan, Feng Shi Pian (Hong She pills).
• Exercises - Active exercises to increase mobility (first), then strength.

The results are often very good. In general, the less severe the signs of degeneration on X-ray, the more long term relief can be achieved.

References

This information has been used with permission from Close to the Bone by David Legge.

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