Acupuncture electro stimulation joint pain
Each treatment plan designed by a physician should be specifically tailored to the individual's type of arthritis, as well as the severity of the condition. Treatment plans often involve both short-term and long-term relief approaches. The spread of cold on the skin depends on the skin's thickness, the thickness of underlying fat and muscle, the water content of the tissue, and the rate of blood flow. The therapist takes care to avoid tissue damage and abnormally low body temperature (hypothermia). Cold applications help reduce swelling, as well. However, people who have poor circulation should not use ice packs. Consult your physician regarding the type of application and application time before use. The use of a splint or brace can help a joint rest and protect it from further injury. Walking devices, such as canes, crutches, and assistive devices with extra large or longer handles help keep stress off certain joints. Spinal traction is used to overcome muscle spasm and to keep bones aligned while fractures heal. A weight-and-pulley system, the patient's weight, or manual or motorized force may be used. Cervical traction is used for chronic neck pain. Pain may be temporarily relieved with the use of a small TENS device that directs mild, electrical pulses to nerve endings beneath the skin in the painful joint area. TENS blocks pain messages to the brain and modifies pain perception. Muscles that lack proper nerve function can be stimulated electrically to help prevent muscle wasting (atrophy) and spasticity. People with one-sided paralysis (such as after a stroke), those with peripheral nerve injuries, or those who have lost use of their legs (paraplegic) or of all four limbs (quadriplegic) after a traumatic injury may benefit from electrical stimulation in which electrodes are placed on the skin. TENS may be applied several times a day for 20 minutes to several hours, depending on the severity of the pain. The TENS device produces a tingling sensation without increasing muscle tension. Often, people can be taught to use the TENS device at home as needed. Most people tolerate the therapy well, but its effectiveness varies greatly. When it is practiced by a qualified practitioner, acupuncture is generally safe. Young children often respond very well. It can even be used on pregnant women to stimulate labor and reduce labor pain. However, unnecessary procedures should be avoided during pregnancy. The most common use of acupuncture is to treat muscle and joint pain. The technique is often applied for arthritis, back pain, sports injuries, and other similar problems. Every acupuncture treatment begins with four types of examinations. These are:
• asking. The acupuncturist first asks an individual about his or her general health. • listening. Next, he or she will listen to the individual's breathing patterns, speech, and tone of voice. • smelling and touching. The last and most important of the examination involves touching the person's skin and taking an accurate pulse.
To receive a treatment, the person lies down on a table. He or she needs to remove enough clothing for the acupuncturist to reach the key points on the body. Very fine, sterile, stainless steel needles are inserted into the skin at the relevant points. Because the needles are so thin, they do not cause any bleeding. Other techniques can also be used as part of the acupuncture treatment. These include:
• small electric current to stimulate specific points • small pen-like tools to produce an infrared low power laser beam • burning of herbs to warm and stimulate energy • ultrasound, sound waves and light waves
A person may feel a pinprick sensation followed by a tingling or numbness when the needles are inserted. The amount of sensation will depend on the point being treated and the depth to which the needle is inserted. Needles can be inserted and removed in seconds. They can also be left in place for up to a half hour. The length of treatment depends on the type of illness that is involved. The person may have immediate pain relief. Other benefits usually take a couple of days to appear. Some people feel no different after treatment. Others report feeling sleepy or a little "spaced out." It is important for the individual to pay attention to her or her reactions and allow time for the treatment to take effect. Bleeding is very rare because the needles are very fine. Any indication of infection at the sites where the needles were inserted should be reported to the practitioner. Signs of infection include: • redness With acupuncture, thin needles are inserted through the skin at specific body sites, often far from the site of pain. The needles are twirled rapidly and intermittently for a few minutes, or a low electric current is applied through the needles. It is believed that acupuncture stimulates the production of endorphins (chemicals with analgesic properties that are found naturally in the brain), thus generating pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. To conserve energy and reduce stress on your joint(s), pacing yourself (alternating periods of activity with periods of rest) can help protect your joints and minimize symptoms of arthritis.
Extra weight puts more stress on weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. Weight loss in overweight people has shown to reduce the chance of developing certain types of rheumatic disease, including osteoarthritis.
Certain exercises, such as swimming, walking, low-impact aerobic exercise, and range-of-motion exercises, may help reduce joint pain and stiffness. Stretching exercises may be helpful in keeping the joints flexible.
Short-term relief for pain and inflammation may include pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
|
