| Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune systemic disease, causing membranes or tissues lining (also known as the synovium) of the joints to become swollen, stiff, and painful (inflamed). The disease usually affects both sides of the body at the same time. Over time, this inflammation may destroy the joint tissues including cartilage, ligaments, tendons and bone, and, in rare but severe cases, may cause organ damage. This can limit your daily activities and make it hard for you to walk and use your hands. This disease can happen during childhood, as juvenile RA. Adults RA usually happen more to women than men at the age between 30 and 50 years old. The disease also runs in some families. This disease comes under the category of arthralgia syndrome in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which is also projected in different syndrome type due to its different nature of causes known to TCM. In ancient documentation Traditional Chinese Healer came to know about this disease and had been treating them successfully as far back as several thousand years ago. TCM believes that imbalance to the essence of the body and invasion of pathogenic factors is the fundamental for the cause of RA. Also, weak constitution of qi and the insufficiency of qi and blood, disharmony between yin and yang systems which result the forming of phlegm, blood stasis, heat-toxicity thus affecting the regularity of the body's meridians, muscle and bones, skins, blood vessels and the organs presented as RA today. These can result in swelling, aches and pains, numbness, overall fatigue, deformation and stiffness thus limiting movements, even organ damage.Rheumatoid arthritis causes deterioration of life during flares, it is chronic and relapse spontaneously leading to progressive joint damage, deformity, disability and shortened lift expectancy. There is no known cure for this disease. A great deal amount research has been conducted all around the world. Many modern science studies shows that infection leading to inflammation and autoimmune is the basic fundamental causes of RA while Internal secretion and family history are secondary. But the precise causes are still not fully understood. Many of the Western medicines used today to treat rheumatoid arthritis contain serious side effects, these treatments may help relieve symptoms and control the disease and they continues throughout their life. Surgery may be an option. Total joint replacement can be done for many joints in the body, but they are very costly, and it's only considered usually at the later stage of its progression.TCM treatments using acupuncture on the other hand, based on the recent laboratory studies and applications in hospitals has been proven to be able to both produce great results in the control rheumatoid arthritis and with minimal side effects even with long term treatments. These treatments are very convenient and does not requires and any administration of drugs or medicines.64 types of acupuncture treatments for various disease were introduced during a World Health Organization Meeting in Milan Italy, of those includes the treatment for RA. This is display of great acceptance and effectiveness of treatments using acupuncture around the world. Apparently, the "holistic concept" is the essential feature of TCM when it comes to understanding all types of disease and their symptoms. Modern TCM believes this is the same expression to the body's Immune-Neuro-Endocrine network identified in Modern Health Science. Already proven, acupuncture is able to improve etiological factor and dispel pathogen in a living organism, this is similar to the up-bringing of a body's immune system, thereby reducing the inflammations and the progression of RA. After consolidating various studies and articles, it is found that the usage of 3 particular strengthening acupuncture points has been exceptionally frequent thus their effectiveness; they are the Zu San Li, Guan Yuan and Ming Men. The usage of these acupuncture points is known to have overwhelmed results against RA. The content of the following dissertation will be a presentation of modern Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in the treatments to RA, from the extraction of Chinese ancient time's literature and modern scientific researches. These cases will be refine with the relationship of Chinese Holistic concepts and the body's Immune-Neuro-Endocrine network. The aim is to provide a better and clearer interpretation to the treatment of RA in near future.The author gathered large amount of both Chinese ancient's time literature and modern science researches for the past 10 over years, discovers that the Chinese Holistic concept plays a very important role in the treatment of RA. Especially the acupuncture's multi-strata, multi-leveling and multi-targeting features resulting in positively adjust a living body holistically. Display astonishing results during the treatment of RA. After systemically organizing all of the information gathered, the author preliminary conclude the followings:1) The cause of RA is still not yet understood, but a lot has already been discovered. It is known as an autoimmune systemic disease which may eventually cause permanent joint damage and painful disability. In rare but severe cases, they may cause organ damage.2) The aim of rheumatoid arthritis treatment in Modern Health Science is in controlling a patient's signs and symptoms of inflammation and minimizing joint damage, thus to maintain their quality of life and ability to function. In some cases, treatment may also involve surgery. 3) The characteristic for RA in TCM is sufficient in etiological factor ("qi" and blood) with active pathogen (Wind, Coldness, Dampness, Heat, phlegm and blood stasis).4) Acupuncture is a technique to adjust a body's Immune-Neuro-Endocrine network. This improve etiological factor and dispel pathogen in a human body, which is able to bring up a body's immune system.5) Treatments for RA should be in reference to the Chinese Holistic concepts by improving etiological factor and dispel pathogen. Each consultation should be handled differently due the fact that none of the individual is the same although there may partial similar during the treatment.6) Even though treatments to RA using TCM in the studies response positively, the patients usually only comprise of individuals with acute symptoms, there is a lack of studies to be done on different specific stages.7) By creating positive adjustment to the body's Immune-Neuro-Endocrine network, several organic mechanisms are triggered to the reinstate the balance in a living body.Although they are identically classified under strengthening acupuncture points, Zu San Li, Guan Yuan, Ming Men each has its own characteristics. Each of the strengthening acupuncture points benefits RA treatments differently. Zu San Li promotes secretion of IL-2 and suppress IL-1. Guan Yuan provide more active NK Cells. Ming Men regulates CRH, Cort. These various pathology therefore enables a body's self activated recovery. |
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