Acupuncture Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) is a chronic, autoimmune, systemic, inflammatory disorder in which an erosive, symmetrical joint disorder maintains the center stage accompanied by a variable, but at times prominent, degree of extraarticular involvement. [1] Its common clinical manifestations are pain, stiffness, redness and swelling of affected joints. Its pathology involves lifelong recurring attacks. Its signs are charicterized by chronic inflammation that begins in the lining of joints, affecting cartilage and bones and causing permanent joint damage with joint deformities and loss of function.This thesis is written in three parts. The first part is a summary of recent research into the advantages of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. In the second part, we design a clinical experiment using the theory and methodology of Evidence-based Medicine to analyse the clinical results of Acupuncture treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis. The third part includes three typical RA cases and analysis of treatments. Based on the above research, the following conclusions were reached:1. Acupuncture and Moxibustion therapy is a holistic approach with the following advantages: no side-effects, no toxic-effects , the possibility of long-term treatment, diversity of treatment methods, and positive clinical results.2. Based on the TCM principal of "Concentrating treatment on the root cause", we apply "fuzhengchubifa" of acupuncture , that is a technique of strengthening healthy qi for eliminating Bi Syndrome. Good clinical results for the treatment of RA depend on strict adherence to "fuzhengchubifa" . This involves paying careful attention to needling depth, direction, retention time and manipulation technique.