Acupuncture Continuing Education

Acupuncture Slows Arthritis Joint Degeneration

Investigators have discovered biochemical reactions by which acupuncture reduces arthritis related inflammation and damage to joint cartilage. In a laboratory mouse Acupuncture CEUs Online. Acupuncture for Jointsmodel experiment, researchers found that electro-acupuncture applied for 15-30 minutes per day significantly reduces articular cartilage joint degeneration caused by arthritis. Electro-acupuncture was found to reduce inflammatory related chemicals in the joints while at the same time promoting biochemicals which protect joint cartilage. The level of joint cartilage preservation was confirmed by X-ray imaging and anaylsis. The researchers concluded, “These results showed that EA (electroacupuncture) can effectively alleviate the inflammatory reaction and postpone articular cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis.”

Reference:
Wu MX, Li XH, Wu GW, Li L, Chen WL, Liu XX. Electro-acupuncture treatment inhibits inflammatory reaction and postpones articular cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis. Zhongguo Zuzhi Gongcheng Yanjiu yu Linchuang Kangfu. 2011;15(50):
9410-9414.