Arthritis get the right diagnosis

Arthritis and joint pain, according to Chinese Medicine which type do you have?

In western medical terms arthritis is broken down into its two most common forms of either Osteoarthritis (OA) which is associated with life’s wear and tear taking its toll on the cartilage of the joint which begins to breakdown, and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which is much less common and is an autoimmune disease causing the synovial lining of the joints to become inflamed and thickened.

Chinese medicine however differentiates joint pain into 7 syndromes which are diagnosed by your type of pain experienced, the joints/area affected, your accompanying symptoms, and a thorough medical history and joint examination.

1 Cold Bi (Painful Bi)

Pain is severe (boring or drilling in nature) gets worse with cold weather.

Movement becomes limited, often unilateral in nature.

2 Wind Bi (Wandering Bi)

Pain likened to soreness, and wanders/migrates from joint to joint. Most common in elbow, wrist, knee and ankle. Accompanied by fever or chills.

3 Damp Bi (Fixed Bi)

Pain is lighter in nature best described as numbness or stiffness accompanied by feelings of heaviness in limbs. Oedema found around the joint. Often aggravated by wet/damp/muggy weather.

4 Hot Bi (Febrile Bi)

This condition usually follows on from one of the above 3 syndromes as either cold, wind, or damp creates a stagnation that leads to internal heat.

Pain often acute and sudden in onset. Joints red and swollen, very painful to touch. One or more joints affected. Fever symptoms may accompany attacks.

5 Bony Bi (Phlegm Bi)

This condition develops from one of the above 4 syndromes.

It is a chronic condition and is defined by swelling, deformity of the bones around the joint and limitation of movement.

6 Qi (energy) and blood stagnation.

This most often occurs immediately following an injury or trauma to the joint, it is acute in onset with severe pain at a fixed location. The affected area is often stiff or rigid.

7 Qi (energy) and blood deficiency.

Pain is is dull or aching in nature, that feels better when pressure is applied or the joint is rested. Often accompanied by numbness and or weakness in the surrounding muscles.

At Charlie Glover Acupuncture you will receive a full Chinese medical diagnosis of your condition and a set of appropriate treatment principles will made based on your personal underlying imbalance, the exact syndrome from which you are suffering and the specific acupuncture channels of the body which are involved.

Painful joints are not always needled directly and there are techniques available to either alleviate pain, or address other symptoms using other parts of your body.

The use of Moxibustion (burning mugwort) is used in cases of cold Bi, and blood deficiency, while cupping (heated glass cups applied to the skin to create suction) is used to clear the channel of obstruction.

If you would like to find out more about how acupuncture could potentially help you or a loved one suffering with this condition

Please contact Myself Charlie Glover on 07429 348 196 or via e-mail: info@charliegloveracupuncture.co.uk for a free 15 minute consultation.

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