CAUSES

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system attacks the synovium — the lining of the membranes that surround your joints

The resulting inflammation thickens the synovium, which can eventually destroy the cartilage and bone within the joint.

The tendons and ligaments that hold the joint together weaken and stretch. Gradually, the joint loses its shape and alignment.

The exact reason for this cause is unknown, although a genetic component appears likely. While your genes don't actually cause rheumatoid arthritis, they can make you more susceptible to environmental factors — such as infection with certain viruses and bacteria — that may trigger the disease.

SYMPTOMS

With RA, there are times when symptoms worsen, referred to as flares and times when symptoms recover, referred to as remission.

Signs and symptoms of RA include:

• Pain, stiffness and aching in more than one joint
• Tenderness and swelling
• Symmetrical joint involvement
• Joint deformity
• The same symptoms on each side of the body (such as in both hands or both knees)
• Unsteadiness when walking
• A general feeling of being unwell
• Loss of function and mobility
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Weakness

RISK FACTORS

Researchers have performed studies on a variety of genetic and environmental factors to conclude if these risk factors modify a person’s risk of developing RA.Characteristics that increase risk are,

• Age:RA could begin at any age, but the likelihood increases with age. The onset of RA is highest among adults in their 60’s
• Gender:New cases of RA are typically 3 times higher in women than men
• Genetics and inherited traits:People born with specific genes are more likely to develop RA. These genes are called HLA (human leukocyte antigen) class II genotypes, which could also make your arthritis worse. The risk of RA could also be highest when people with these genes are exposed to environmental factors like smoking or when an individual is obese
• Smoking: Multiple studies show that cigarette smoking increases a person’s risk of developing RA and may make the disease worse
• History of live births:Women who haven't given birth at all could also be at greater risk of developing RA
• Early Life Exposures:Some early exposures may increase risk of developing RA in adulthood. For example, one study found that children whose mothers smoked had double the danger of developing RA as adults
• Obesity:Being obese or overweight could increase the danger of developing RA. Studies examining the role of obesity also found that the more overweight an individual was, the upper his or her risk of developing RA

COMPLICATIONS

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has many physical and social consequences that could lower the quality of life. It may cause pain, disability and even premature death.

• Premature heart condition:People with RA are at a risk for developing other chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. To prevent people with RA from developing heart disease, treatment of RA also focuses on reducing heart disease risk factors. For example, doctors will advise patients with RA to prevent smoking and reduce weight
• Obesity:People with RA who are obese have an increased risk of developing heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Being obese also increases risk of developing chronic conditions like heart condition and diabetes. Finally, people with RA who are obese experience fewer benefits from their medical treatment compared with those with RA who aren't obese
• Employment: RA can make work difficult. As the disease gets worse, many of us with RA find they can't do the maximum amount as they used to. Work loss among people with RA is the highest among people with jobs that are physically demanding. Work loss is lower among those in jobs with few physical demands or in jobs where they need influence over the work pace and activities

DIAGNOSIS

A doctor will look at the person’s clinical signs of inflammation and ask how long the symptoms have persisted and it’s severity. They will also carry out a physical examination to check for any swelling, functional limitations and deformity. Based on which they might recommend some tests.

Blood tests:

• Erythrocyte erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or SED rate): This test assesses levels of inflammation within the body. It measures how quickly the red blood cells in a test tube separate from blood serum over a set period. If the red blood cells settle quickly as sediment, inflammation levels are high. This test isn't specific for RA and may be a useful test for other inflammatory conditions or infections
• C-reactive protein (CRP):The liver produces CRP. A higher CRP level proves that there is inflammation in the body. This test also isn't specific for RA and CRP can occur in other inflammatory conditions or infection
• Anemia: Many people with RA also have anemia. Anemia happens when there are very few red blood cells in the blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the tissues and other organs of the body
• Rheumatoid factor: If an antibody referred to as autoantibody is present within the blood, it can indicate that RA is present. However, not every patient with RA tests positive for this factor
• Imaging scans and X-rays: An X-ray or MRI of a joint can help a doctor identify what sort of arthritis is present and monitor the progress of RA over time.

TREATMENT

If an individual receives a diagnosis of RA, the doctor may refer them to a specialist referred to as a rheumatologist, who will advise on treatment options. There is currently no cure for RA, but treatment might help to:

• Reduce inflammation to the joints
• Relieve pain
• Minimize any loss of function caused due to pain, joint damage or deformity
• Slow down or prevent damage to the joints

Options include medications, physiotherapy, physical therapy, counseling and surgery.

Physical therapy:

• Alternating heat and cold packs could reduce swelling and thus decrease pain. Use ice packs for quarter-hour at a time, followed by a warm and damp towel or a hot pad
• Tai chi can also be beneficial. The slow movement of the self-defense can get the blood flowing and increase flexibility. Additional exercises could also be helpful also, especially water exercise
• Supplements such as fish oil might help with RA, consistent with some studies. It can especially be effective in reducing morning stiffness

Medications:

Some drugs can help to alleviate symptoms and slow disease progression.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID):
• Corticosteroids
• Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (TNF-alpha inhibitors)

Occupational therapy:

An occupational therapist can help the individual learn new and effective ways of completing daily tasks. This can minimize stress to painful joints. For example, an individual with painful fingers might learn to use a specially devised gripping and grabbing tool.

Surgery:

If medication and physiotherapy don't help, a doctor may recommend surgery to:

• Repair damaged joints
• Correct deformities
• Reduce pain

The following procedures are possible:

• Arthroplasty:During a total joint replacement, the surgeon removes the damaged parts and inserts a metal and plastic prosthesis or implant
• Tendon repair:If tendons have loosened or ruptured round the joint, surgery may help restore them
• Synovectomy:This procedure involves removal of the synovium if it is inflamed and causing pain
• Arthrodesis: The surgeon would fuse a bone or joint to decrease pain and realign or stabilize the joint

EFFECTIVENESS OF ACUPUNCTURE

Acupunctureis often a successful go-to therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. It can be used to treat other types of arthritis as well. Research shows that it has positively been helpful for several people. Acupuncture is suggested to be better for arthritis than certain medications. It is an ancient Chinese physiotherapy that has become a well-liked and well-researched method for managing this pain.

Studies and research have shown the effectiveness of acupuncture to relieve pain for various causes of knee pain such as different kinds of arthritis, “runner’s knee”, sprains and strains. It also relieves pain while waiting for surgical intervention and can occasionally make surgery unnecessary. If you’re suffering from knee pain, stiffness or swelling acupuncture is the effective procedure for relief.

MECHANISM OF ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncturemay be a sort of Chinese traditional medicine that dates back thousands of years. Acupuncturists use fine needles in pressure points in various parts of the body. This treatment is said to:

• Reduce inflammation
• Relax the body
• Increase blood flow

It’s also believed to release endorphins. These are natural hormones that reduce the sensation of pain.In Chinese tradition, good energy basically flows through “qi” (pronounced “chee”). It is often blocked by obstructions called “bi.” The needles open up the qi and take away the bi. Most people either don’t feel the needles or feel only a really small prick when the needles are inserted. The needles are said to be thinner than a strand of hair.Some people use acupuncture to treat rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, also headaches, back pain, and anxiety. Since atrophic arthritis (RA) can cause inflammation within the joints or upper neck and since joint inflammation can cause pain, people with the condition might want to try acupuncture to find relief.It also

• Reduces pain and inflammation: Acupuncture increases blood flow to the injured area. Blood brings healing properties such as platelets and red blood cells which lead to faster recovery. When these are increased during blood flow, it pulls out toxins and fluid buildup which in turn decreases inflammation. When there is less inflammation and swelling, there is less pain
• Releases neurotransmitters: There are hormones that send messages regulating the on/off mechanisms of varied nerve endings. Acupuncture releases endorphins and serotonin as natural pain medication. The natural pain killers that are triggered by acupuncture could be stronger than morphine. You get natural pain relief and reduction of inflammation without the harsh unwanted side effects of medication
• Triggers electromagnetic impulses in the body: These impulses can help speed the body’s way of handling pain, including the discharge of endorphins. Acupuncture reduces trigger points in the muscles around the knee. When muscles get tight, they tend to get sore, achy and result in decreased movement in an area. Acupuncture releases these trigger points without the need of injecting medication. This makes for a natural approach to relieve tight muscles in the joints and trigger points.

BEST CURE FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Looking for a best solution to treat rheumatoid arthritis, here’s why you should reach out to the expert Acupuncturist. A. Shaji Bharath from Dr.Bharath’s Acu Heal. He is currently treating patients for a wide range of conditions. As a certified acupuncture practitioner with 15 years of experience, with vast knowledge on orthopaedics and having worked with several Orthopedists and rheumatologists, Acupuncturist. A. Shaji Bharath has seen Acupuncture doing wonders on people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The effectiveness rate increases several times just with one course of acupuncture and it can help alleviate the symptoms, reduce pain and address various conditions such as types of arthritis, “runner’s knee”, sprains and strains, helping patients get back to their normal routine at the earliest, by evaluating your condition and offering appropriate treatment. Most of the people swear by acupuncture, citing it as a ‘miracle’ to improving their quality of life, that focuses on injuries and conditions of your body's musculoskeletal system, which allows you to move, work, and be active.Dial: +91 9884746916 or Visit: drbharathsacuheal.com for more details on treating rheumatoid arthritis using Acupuncture.

BEST ACUPUNCTURE DOCTOR NEAR ME

To choose the Best doctor for Acupuncture, it's important that the Acupuncturist should have a decade of experience and treated at least 1000 to 2000 patients.

You can also search for the Best Acupuncture Doctor near me or ask your primary care physician to refer an experienced Acupuncturist nearby. Once you find the Best Acupuncture Doctor in Chennai, you may go through their google reviews first and then fix an appointment with the doctor only when you are satisfied with the reviews.

The Best Acupuncture Doctor should address your concerns and help you feel more comfortable before your first session. Acupuncture usually takes numerous sessions or several weeks to get a complete cure in any ailment but within 3 or 4 sessions the patients will experience positive differences.

BEST ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC NEAR ME

There are numerous clinics popping up and it is sometimes skeptical to choose the best or even the safe one. To address such concerns, you can look into the following points to choose the best acupuncture clinic for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Acupuncture is also offered in hospital pain clinics and by healthcare organizations but it is ideal to visit the best Acupuncture Clinic. If you are not sure, it would be a good idea to contact your local doctor to see if they would be prepared to refer to the best rated acupuncture clinics.Acupuncture is offered in top rated acupuncture clinics near me because conventional treatment has failed or produces unacceptable side effects. Most of the best acupuncture clinics will spell out very clearly what type of acupuncture they practice and how professional they are - at present anyone can set themselves up as an acupuncturist but reputable practitioners will belong to an organization. So while you are filtering the best clinics for acupuncture that treats rheumatoid arthritis, you can look out for these factors.Treatment without surgery for rheumatoid arthritis is possible through acupuncture and it gives the best result.

We have been rewarded a 5-star rating from Google & Practo. You can also check the reviews there.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Rheumatoid Arthritis is often a result of the damage that occurs through normal wear and tear. However, you should see your doctor if you have any unexplained joint pain in your knees, especially if it doesn’t go away on its own after a few days. Early detection and diagnosis can allow for effective treatment of the underlying cause of your discomfort.Dial: +91 9884746916 or Visit: drbharathsacuheal.com for more details.

SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES

• Solomon DH, Yu Z, Katz JN, Bitton A, Corrigan C, Fraenkel L, Harrold LR, Smolen JS, Losina E, Lu B. Adverse Events and Resource Use Before and After Treat-to-Target in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2019 Sep;71(9):1243-1248.
• McCulley C, Katz P, Trupin L, Yelin EH, Barton JL. Association of Medication Beliefs, Self-efficacy, and Adherence in a Diverse Cohort of Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Rheumatol. 2018 Dec;45(12):1636-1642.
• Cai Q, Xin Z, Zuo L, Li F, Liu B. Alzheimer's Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Mendelian Randomization Study. Front Neurosci. 2018;12:627.

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FAQ:

What are the services provided for Rheumatoid Arthritis by Dr.Bharath’s Acu Heal?

At Bharath's Acu Heal treat Rheumatoid Arthritis with Acupuncture. With this one mode of treatment, many patients have recovered from this long-term painful disease. In the first few sessions, there will be positive changes in the symptoms and after few more sessions, there will be a 90% to 100% chance that the patient will get cured of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Once all the sessions get over, the patients can stop the medications they have been taken before. They will be advised to follow diets with food restrictions, exercise regime which includes a sound sleep that plays a vital role in reversing the disease.

Is acupuncture safe for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Acupuncture is not only safe in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis but also could cure it completely.

How many sessions of acupuncture do you need for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Approximately 25 to 40 sessions (3 to 5 months) would be needed to completely cure this medically termed autoimmune disease.

Can acupuncture cure Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Acupuncture gives good results in treating all autoimmune diseases including Rheumatoid Arthritis. Hence Acupuncture is the only best option available today to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis.