Arthritis is a common condition and is sometimes so severe that it affects your work and your personal and social life. Sometimes their hands or knees or shoulders get sore and are hard to move and may become swollen. Arthritis may be caused by inflammation of the tissue lining the joints. Some signs of inflammation include redness, heat, pain, and swelling. There are over 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions, but the two most common ones are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis – This most often begins in our forties and by the age of 65 more than half of us have some evidence of this joint damage, even if we have no pain. Joint cartilages start to become thin and roughened as we age. As the body tries to repair this, the bones in the shoulders, knees, hips and finger ends may become knobbly and fluid may collect in the joint, causing pain, stiffness and swelling.
How does Chinese medicine view Osteoarthritis Arthritis?
Because osteoarthritis causes the joints to ache rather than become painful and the limbs may also feel weak, Chinese medical theories think it may be because there is a generalised Qi or Blood deficiency throughout the body.
This condition can have various causes, including overwork, poor diet or emotional difficulties. Sometimes joint problems are caused by overuse of one particular area. For example, someone who is constantly carrying heavy loads may be affected in the hips, or someone working on a computer may find repetitive strain injury (RSI) affecting the hands and wrists.
If you have joint pains due to osteoarthritis, your Chinese doctor will stimulate and strengthen the weakened Organs and channels by Chinese herb medicine and acupuncture. She or he may advise you to get plenty of rest and to eat well.
Rheumatoid Arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis happens when the body defense system does not work properly. Normally your immune system makes antibodies to attack bacteria and viruses. In rheumatoid arthritis your immune system also makes antibodies that attack the linings of your joints, making them inflamed, stiff and painful. Over time, this can cause damage to the joint, the cartilage, and the bone near the joint.
How does Chinese medicine view Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Chinese Medicine views the joint pain may be caused by pathogens such as Wind, Cold, Damp, Heat and Phlegm. Wind in the joints is characterised by pain in the muscles and joints that travels from place to place, while Cold causes severe pain in the joints that causes limitation of movement. Dampness in the joints is characterised by stiffness and swelling, along with a feeling of heaviness in the joint or limb. Heat in the joints causes them to become red, swollen, hot and painful.
If your joint problems are caused by Wind, Damp, Cold and/ or Heat you are likely to be susceptible to the corresponding climate. For example, if you have Damp in your joints, you might dislike damp or humid weather and may even know when the weather is turning damp because of the aching sensation you experience.
Your Chinese medicine doctor will choose Chinese herb medicine and acupuncture directly clears any local blockages of Wind, Cold and Damp in the channels.
Nature herbal products for arthritis
- Arthritis & Rheumatism Pills: dispelling wind and removing dampness, alleviating pain & eliminating cold. It also activates the circulation of qi and blood.
- Zhuifeng Plaster: Applied directly to the affected area for fast relief of pains of muscles & joints.
- Woodlock Massage Lotion: Provides fast relief of aches & pains associated with arthritis & rheumatism.