how acupuncture for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful condition and acupuncture can be part of its effective treatment. Acupuncture helps to treat rheumatoid arthritis by decreasing inflammation and increasing the release of pain-blocking endorphins.

PAtient reviews

“I’ve worked with acupuncture for several years. I’m very aware that the medications I take, while they have been the best way to manage my rheumatoid arthritis (RA) so far, have the potential to be very toxic and harmful to other parts of my body. I really think that acupuncture has helped to balance the impact of those side effects. The medicines that work best for RA also suppress the immune system, and I strongly believe that I am able to fight off colds and other infections because of regular acupuncture sessions. Over this past year, I have had a little more trouble with some of my joints, and acupuncture has helped to ease the pain of flare-ups too. So yes, I’m a big believer in acupuncture and the role it plays in managing my arthritis and improving my overall health.”

-Jennifer Mroz, Eugene, OR

“Starting at age 20, my joints became inflamed and very painful. Ibuprofen, aspirin, and other anti-inflammatory medicines subdued the symptoms for a while, but by age 27, I could barely walk, hold a toothbrush, or drive my car. After seeing a rheumatologist, I was put on several serious prescription drugs (methotrexate, Celebrex, and prednisone, to name a few).

"I took these prescription drugs for about three years. They did take down some of the inflammation, but they also caused severe exhaustion, bowel problems, irritability, and skin rashes. I began to get really sick. Four months of flu-like symptoms convinced me that the choices I had made in regards to my health were not successful. At this point, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

"I changed my diet, began using essential oils, and gradually eliminated the drugs from my routine. The rashes continued to get worse. I left my job and began searching for alternatives. For three years, I looked for ways to lessen the irritation, redness, and itching caused by the rash, as well as something to break down the calcification in my wrists left by the rheumatoid arthritis. I have tried all types of creams, oils, and bio-frequency machines, as well as numerous diet changes and other types of healing therapies.

"For months now, I have been receiving regular acupuncture treatment from Tom Williams L.Ac. and I have been using an exclusively certified organic skin care line, which together have made huge improvements in my condition. I am still a very health-conscious eater, use essential oils, and try other healing modalities, but I believe acupuncture has been key to the healthy life I am meant to live.”

-Holli Smith, Eugene, OR

scientific studies

Acupuncture for symptom management of rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18193382