Can osteoarthritis be treated with moxibustion?

Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 11, 2024
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The primary cause of osteoarthritis is degeneration, which can lead to damage, wear, and tear of cartilage within the joints, as well as the formation of excessive osteophytes and bone spurs around the joints. These changes cause symptoms such as knee pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. There are many treatment methods available, the most common of which include oral medication, rest, physical therapy, and moxibustion, all of which can help alleviate symptoms. However, these treatments only provide relief from the symptoms of osteoarthritis and do not cure the condition. If a cure is needed, surgical treatment, such as total knee replacement, may be necessary to fully recover. Conservative treatments like moxibustion can help relieve pain and reduce swelling, but they only offer relief and do not cure the condition. Therefore, while moxibustion can alleviate pain from knee arthritis, it cannot cure it.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
54sec home-news-image

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a disease caused by degenerative changes in the joints. Symptoms primarily include swelling, pain, fluid accumulation, and restricted movement in the joint areas. In severe cases, it can even lead to joint deformity and dysfunction. Treatment for arthritis is mainly divided into non-surgical and surgical methods. Conservative treatment can be attempted first. Patients with arthritis should rest and avoid vigorous activities. Symptomatic treatment may include anti-inflammatory pain relievers, cartilage nutrition drugs, or intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid. Additionally, hot compress physiotherapy and other methods can be used to alleviate symptoms. When conservative treatment is ineffective, or if there is deformity and dysfunction of the limbs, joint replacement surgery may also be considered.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Differences between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly people, primarily due to long-term joint wear, leading to degeneration of the cartilage in the joints, causing symptoms of pain, swelling, and discomfort in movement. In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis often begins in younger individuals and is linked to genetics and viral infections, primarily being an autoimmune disease. It is characterized by positive rheumatoid factor, including elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. Additionally, the treatment methods for these two diseases are different. Osteoarthritis can mainly be managed with massage therapy, injections of sodium hyaluronate, and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, might require the use of immunosuppressants, steroids, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain. Importantly, rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the small joints of the fingers, whereas osteoarthritis most frequently affects larger joints, such as the knee, highlighting the fundamental differences between the two conditions. (Note: The answers provided are for reference only. Medications should be taken under the guidance of a professional physician, and self-medication should be avoided.)

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Is hot compress good for osteoarthritis?

For patients with osteoarthritis, hot compresses are very effective. Hot compresses can promote local blood circulation, which can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis. Usually, hot compresses are applied using hot water bottles, or by heating bran or salt, which are very effective. Typically, apply the hot compress twice a day, each time for more than half an hour. Additionally, aside from hot compresses, it is important to protect the affected area in patients with osteoarthritis, avoid exposure to cold, and reduce irritation to the area. When necessary, treatment may also need to be supplemented with medications, such as pain relievers and drugs that nourish the cartilage.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Is osteoarthritis easy to treat?

Osteoarthritis is a difficult-to-treat disease because currently, there is no complete cure for joint disorders in medicine. Therefore, the treatment principles are early diagnosis, early treatment, and early rehabilitation. Mainly, methods are used to delay the progression of the disease, maximally preserve joint function, and enable patients to live normal lives. The first approach is non-pharmacological treatment, which is the foundation for drug therapy and surgical treatment, primarily involving physical therapy methods such as heat therapy, hydrotherapy, traction, microwave therapy, acupuncture, and massage to alleviate joint pain and swelling during acute flare-ups. The second approach is pharmacological treatment, mainly including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and traditional Chinese medicine. The third approach involves considering surgical treatment if conservative treatments prove ineffective. Surgical treatments can involve procedures such as joint debridement to remove inflamed, loose cartilage and bone tissues, and smoothing rough joint surfaces. If these methods are still ineffective, the last treatment option may be needed for severe cases, which is artificial joint replacement. Thus, the treatment of osteoarthritis is a stepwise approach. However, regardless of the treatment method used, there is currently no cure, making osteoarthritis a challenging disease to treat.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Can osteoarthritis exercise?

Osteoarthritis often occurs due to the degeneration associated with aging, causing damage to the essential cartilage, leading to symptoms such as joint pain and deformities during movement. In the case of osteoarthritis, it is crucial to keep warm and rest, avoid exposure to cold, and minimize knee-joint load-bearing activities such as mountain climbing and stair climbing. Instead, choosing activities like Tai Chi and swimming, which cause less joint wear, can help alleviate symptoms and prevent accelerated cartilage damage.