Rheumatoid arthritisTrusted Source (RA) is an autoimmune disease that can cause chronic joint pain, joint deformities, and inflammation. According to the National Institutes of HealthTrusted Source (NIH), rheumatoid arthritis affects millions of people worldwide, with up to 1% of some countries’ population having rheumatoid arthritis. The NIH notes that between 25 to 27.5 people per 100,000 in the U.S. have rheumatoid arthritis. With rheumatoid arthritis being so prevalent, researchers are looking for ways to treat the disease as well as some of the problems associated with the disease, such as cardiovascular disease.
Researchers in China and Taiwan recently accessed medical records to see if there are any trends related to people who both have rheumatoid arthritis and acupuncture treatment. While the study is observational, they did find that this group of people was less likely to experience a stroke.
How acupuncture benefits rheumatoid arthritis
While there are a number of treatments available for rheumatoid arthritis, such as JAK inhibitors and corticosteroids, there is not a cure for the disease. There are some things people can do to get some degree of pain relief, though, such as getting massages or having an acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture is an alternative form of medicine that has origins in traditional Chinese medicine. According to the NIHTrusted Source, it involves “applying small needles or pressure to specific points in the body.”
In addition to helping provide pain relief from rheumatoid arthritis, acupuncture can also treat other types of pain, mood disorders, nausea, and fibromyalgia.
Acupuncture provides relief by causing changes in the central nervous system. The NIHTrusted Source explains that acupuncture “inhibits the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-alpha)” and “promotes the expression of anti-inflammatory and tissue-repair factors.” Since inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis factors into people with the disease being at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, including ischemic strokes, a treatment that interrupts the inflammation process, such as acupuncture, may provide more than standard pain benefits.
