Osteoarthritis is a progressive inflammatory destruction of joint cartilage.
Due to degenerative-dystrophic changes, the joint gradually loses its function, flexion-extension movements in it become difficult and then completely impossible.
Joints are the movable joints of bones. In the human body, there are more than 200 such joints, which handle all types of movement of the bony skeleton. Free sliding in them takes place thanks to the smooth surface of hyaline cartilage and joint lubrication.
With arthritis, hyaline cartilage becomes thinner and gradually collapses, becomes rough, and joint lubrication becomes insufficient for free gliding. As a result, there is friction that hinders movement in the joint and leads to its increasing destruction.
Arthritis is one of the most common degenerative and musculoskeletal diseases. They affect more than 30% of people aged 45 to 65 and more than 65% of people over 65. The frequency has a noticeable age dependence.
Most often, the disease affects large joints - knee (gonarthrosis), hip (coxarthrosis) and shoulder. Of the small joints, the joints of the hands, feet and spine are most often affected.
In the later stages of the disease, ankylosing spondylitis (complete immobility) of the joint occurs. In this case, only surgery is possible - removal and replacement of the endocrine gland.
At stages 1 - 3 of arthritis, conservative treatment is possible, its purpose is to slow down and stop the destruction of the joint, gradual restoration of cartilage tissue, improvement of function (mobility), increased range of motion, pain relief. symptoms and inflammation.
At the clinic, these goals are achieved through the integrated use of reflexology, herbal remedies, and the physical therapy methods of Eastern medicine.
Causes of arthritis
The cause of the disease is the overwhelming wear and tear of hyaline cartilage during the regeneration process. This means that joint cartilage is worn down and destroyed under stress faster than it can repair itself.
This happens due to the interaction of two factors - increased stress and/or slow recovery.
To regenerate hyaline cartilage, collagen is necessary, which is produced in the body with the participation of the liver.
This organ is not only involved in the formation of collagen, necessary for joints, but is also responsible for body temperature.
From a medical point of view, the cause of all colds, including arthritis, is a decrease in body temperature. This can mainly happen due to insufficient liver function.
All arthritis belongs to degenerative diseases. Their development begins with dystrophy, that is, tissue starvation due to insufficient blood flow.
In order to constantly regenerate, articular cartilage needs collagen, the universal building block of connective tissue. This protein substance is synthesized in the body and enters the joints with the blood.
If blood flow is interrupted for some reason, collagen is missing from the hyaline cartilage. The regeneration process in them slows down. In this case, the joints that carry the most stress - knees, ankles, hips and shoulders - suffer the most. Articular cartilage begins to gradually wear away and collapse.
When cartilage is destroyed, fragments of it tear off and move unhindered in the joint cavity (so-called "mice"), causing it to pinch, block, further restrict movement and increase pain.
Another cause of the disease can be collagen deficiency due to insufficient production of this substance in the body. This can be caused, for example, by the functioning of the liver, which actively participates in this synthesis.
Stimulating factors for the development of the disease can be:
- too heavy,
- unhealthy diet
- a lot of physical work, a lot of sports,
- trauma, multiple microtraumas,
- exposure to cold
- age-related changes (dehydration) in the body,
- congenital anomalies (dysplasia, laxity of connective tissue, etc. ).
Classification
Arthritis that develops against the background of metabolic diseases is called primary.
Secondary arthritis occurs against the background of inflammatory processes (arthritis, including autoimmune), endocrine diseases or injuries.
Some of the most common forms of the disease have their own names - gonarthrosis (knee joint), coxarthrosis (hip joint), spondyloarthrosis (spine).
With the addition of inflammation, the disease is diagnosed as arthritis.
There are four stages in the development of the disease.
Stage 1 arthritis presents with periodic pain and slight narrowing of the joint space.
Stage 2 of the disease means marked narrowing of the joint space, limited range of motion, formation of bone growth (osteoporosis) and joint deformity.
Stage 3 arthritis means almost complete loss of joint space, minimal range of motion limitation, joint deformity, involvement of tissues and bones in the neck (osteoarthritis, arthritis).
In the 4th stage, complete immobility occurs (ankylosing spondylitis), the joint space disappears completely.
Symptoms of arthritis
Like many other degenerative and musculoskeletal diseases, arthritis develops gradually.
Symptoms may be absent for a long time, although changes in cartilage tissue, volume and properties of joint lubrication have already begun.
Symptoms of stage 1 arthritis are increased joint fatigue, minor pains that appear after physical exertion or at the beginning of movements after prolonged immobility (so-called "initial pain"), after which the joint forms. The range of flexion-extension and rotation movements is not limited and itthere are no difficulties with movements.
In stage 2, joint pain becomes more intense and lasts longer, even with minor exertion. When you move, you hear a cracking or crunching sound. Flexibility, extension, twisting movements become difficult, their volume is increasingly limited. Rigidity develops.
In stage 3 arthritis, joint pain becomes constant. Movements in the joint are performed with great difficulty, their volume is reduced to a minimum. The joint is severely deformed due to bony growth and enlargement. When the joints of the legs are affected, severe lameness develops.
In stage 2-3 of the disease, inflammation usually occurs with symptoms such as swelling, redness, increased pain, and localized heat.
Arthritis pain can increase with changes in the weather, humidity, cold, at night, at the beginning of movement or during physical exertion, as well as when the joint is blocked with a mouse.
Analysis
Diagnosis of arthritis is carried out on the basis of survey, external examination and mechanical methods (X-ray, CT, MRI).
During the interview, the doctor examines the medical history, asks the patient about the symptoms, their appearance and progression.
During the initial appointment at the clinic, the doctor usually asks the patient not only about the symptoms of arthritis, but also about the nature of nutrition and lifestyle, since in oriental medicine the human body is considered a single system. In this unified system there are internal relationships.
For example, the condition of the joints is highly dependent on the metabolism, immune system, hormonal system and movement of body fluids, body mass index.
Modern medicine classifies arthritis as a cold disease that develops against the background of energy depletion in the body, a drop in temperature and accumulation of cold. Key factors in this case are poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, exposure to cold and dampness.
During the external examination, the doctor observes the size, shape of the joint, range of motion, as well as signs of inflammation - swelling, redness, local increase in temperature.
After examining and interviewing the patient, the doctor sends him for an additional examination - X-ray, CT or MRI.
In an X-ray, the doctor sees a narrowing of the joint space, which indicates thinning of the cartilage. Based on the level of the narrowing, it determines the level of arthritis.
An X-ray clearly shows osteoporosis - growth along the edges of bone that occurs with arthritis.
X-ray shows bone tissue well, but poorly shows soft connective tissue. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides much more information.
Using a tomograph, the doctor can examine in detail the condition of the hyaline cartilage, as well as the synovial bursa, joint capsule and detect "mice" in the joints, damage to the meniscus and ligaments.
To study blood flow to the joint, an angiogram with contrast material (X-ray, CT or MRI) is prescribed.
Treatment of arthritis
In stage 4 arthritis, surgery is performed, the joint is removed and replaced with an endometrium. At stages 1 - 3 of the disease, conservative treatment is carried out.
- Medicines.Drug therapy is used to reduce symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. In the presence of an inflammatory process, hormonal drugs (glucose) or steroids (NSAIDs based on ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc. ) are prescribed. These drugs are usually given by injection into a joint or into a muscle. To slow down the destruction of articular cartilage, chondroprotectors are prescribed.
- Injections into the joint.To reduce friction and improve gliding, hyaluronic acid is injected into the joint cavity, whose molecules have the ability to retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid injections protect the cartilage surfaces from drying out and slow down their destruction.
In the presence of severe inflammation and swelling, injections with hormonal drugs into the joint cavity are used. - Operation.Arthritis surgery involves replacing the joint with the lining. Such interventions are indicated in the 4th stage of the disease with ankylosing spondylitis (total immobility).
- Physiotherapy.To relieve inflammation, physical therapy methods such as laser therapy, magnetic therapy, and drug administration using current (electric sound) or ultrasound (sound sound) are used.
Mud application, compression and heating improve local blood circulation, promote healing and restoration of cartilage tissue and relieve pain. - Other treatments.To prevent arthritis, as well as as an auxiliary method of treatment, exercise therapy (physical therapy) is prescribed. Regular performance of simple exercises improves blood flow to the joint, increases its mobility and range of motion.
Hot baths can be used to warm up sore joints and relieve symptoms. Balneological treatment for arthritis includes medicines such as mud or radon baths.
It is important!
Chondroprotectors do not affect the causes of arthritis. Essentially, these are not curative but prophylactic drugs. They contain chondroitin and glucosamine, which act to increase the amount of lubrication (joint fluid) and facilitate gliding. Reducing friction slows the destruction of cartilage, but does not restore it.
In order not only to slow down the development of the disease, but also to reverse it, it is necessary to improve blood flow, activate metabolism and tissue regeneration. Chondroprotectors do not do this. Therefore, they can be used as an aid, but not as a substitute for full treatment.
Arthritis treatment at a specialized clinic
At the clinic, treatment of stage 1 - 3 arthritis is carried out using the herbal, medical and reflexology methods of Eastern medicine. Positive results are achieved in more than 90% of cases of treatment of this disease.
Complex treatment sessions include several procedures (moxibustion therapy, acupuncture, acupuncture, etc. ), which mutually increase the effect according to the principle of synergy.
Treatment at the clinic is aimed at eliminating the cause of arthritis, this ensures long-term and lasting results.
Arthritis refers to disturbances in the basis of Bad Kan - one of the three governing systems of the body, where balance means health and imbalance means disease. In addition to the joints, this foundation is responsible for the lymphatic system, body fluids, immunity, hormones and metabolism.
An imbalance of Bad Kan usually causes not one, but several diseases at once. Therefore, arthritis is almost always accompanied by ailments, diseases, for example overweight (obesity), chronic respiratory diseases, allergies and/or immune deficiency, endocrine diseases, hormone-dependent gynecological diseases (in women) etc. fl.
Modern treatment restores the balance of the Bad Kan base as a whole and thus eliminates the common cause of all these diseases. Therefore, along with arthritis, other co-morbidities also occur.
When treating arthritis, the doctor works not only on the area of the affected joint, but also on the body as a whole, to restore the balance of the Badk-an base. This is the secret of the high effectiveness of arthritis treatment at our clinic.
Tszyu or moxo therapy.
This method consists of simultaneous or sequential heating of bioactive points with a wormwood cigar or steaming cones (made of wormwood or charcoal). Ju treatment is the main treatment for arthritis in alternative medicine. It is used both locally, in the area of the affected joint and on the meridians of the body to restore the balance of the Bad Kan base and the body as a whole.
This method has a comprehensive effect: improves blood circulation, stimulates blood flow, activates and accelerates the recovery and regeneration of connective tissue, improves the properties and normalizes the volume of joint lubrication, and has an anti-inflammatory and metabolic effect.
Acupuncture.
The introduction of medical needles into bioactive points has an anti-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect and promotes the outflow of inflammatory fluid.
Effects on the bioactive points of the liver meridian help to improve the function of this organ and activate collagen production in the body.
Affecting the bioactive points of the kidneys helps to improve blood circulation in the lower body with gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis and other arthritis of the legs.
Acupuncture.
Strong point pressure improves local blood circulation, increases blood flow, accelerates metabolic processes and tissue regeneration, eliminates muscle tension and spasms. Acupuncture on the body's meridians (Ku-nye) increases the body's overall energy level.
Plant treatment.
For arthritis, various natural medicines are prescribed that speed up metabolism, increase body temperature, speed up the body's recovery process, have an anti-inflammatory effect and improve liver and kidney function.
Extra means.
Hirudotherapy, stone therapy, manual therapy and shock wave therapy are used as auxiliary methods.
Hirudotherapy has an anti-inflammatory effect and improves blood circulation.
Treatment with hot stones increases body temperature.
Shock wave therapy (SWT) improves local blood circulation, accelerates healing and recovery of the joint.
With the help of manual therapy, the doctor relieves joint pain, increases range of motion and mobility.
Diet for arthritis
For arthritis, warming, hot meals are indicated.
It is recommended to warm foods such as fish, lamb, poultry, seafood, pumpkin, liver, nuts, as well as garlic, onion, ghee and sesame oil.
To increase the energy value of food, you should definitely consume spices (ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper, turmeric, coriander, asafoetida, etc. ).
Hot dishes that contain a lot of animal connective tissue, for example bone and meat broths, are useful.
You should exclude cold food, chilled drinks, reduce consumption of cooling foods such as sugar, butter, milk and dairy products, sweets, citrus fruits, raw and leafy vegetables, semolina and pulses.
Arthritis prevention
To prevent arthritis, you should avoid factors that cause an imbalance in the basis of Bad Kan - cooling nutrition, sedentary lifestyle (physical inactivity), exposure to cold, moisture.
Warming nutrition, exercise, especially walking, outdoor games and physical therapy exercises are useful.
Frequently asked questions about arthritis
Are vitamin complexes helpful for arthritis?
Vitamin complexes generally affect metabolic processes. But they have no specific, preventive or therapeutic effect on joint diseases. To maintain general health and balance in the body, the vitamins in food are sufficient, provided that proper nutrition is provided.
Is there always inflammation with arthritis?
No not always. Osteoarthritis can accompany arthritis, but inflammation is secondary. Therefore, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs (non-steroids) for arthritis does not always help and is often pointless.
Is heat good for joints?
Warming up for arthritis helps improve circulation and is generally beneficial. But only if there is no acute inflammatory process. For arthritis, thermal procedures and heating are contraindicated.
How long does arthritis treatment last?
Usually, a treatment course at a rehabilitation center consists of 10 - 15 complex sessions, held every other day and lasting 21 - 30 days. After this there is a break of 6 months. Six months later, an examination is carried out, and based on it, a decision is made to undergo another treatment to strengthen and consolidate the results.