The Treatment of Arthritis & Back Pain

With Chinese Medicine

by: Effi Kfir M.Sc., L.Ac.

A Licensed Acupuncturist

Arthritis• There are over 100 different types of

arthritis• Over 66 million people in the USA are

diagnosed with some form of arthritis (Nearly 1 in 3 adults!)

• Effects women more than men

What is Arthritis ?

Inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and

stiffness, and resulting from infection, trauma, degenerative changes,

metabolic disturbances, or other causes. It occurs in various forms, such as bacterial arthritis, osteoarthritis, or

rheumatoid arthritis.

Types of Arthritis• Osteoarthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Ankylosing spondylitis

• Gout

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus) • Fibromyalgia

8 Causes of Back Pain

• Degenerative Disc

• Sciatica• Spinal

Osteoarthritis• Bone Spur

• Scoliosis• Muscle Strain• Injury• Prolapsed Disc

Osteoarthritis

A degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage that covers the ends of

bones in the joint deteriorates.

Rheumatoid arthritis

An autoimmune disease in which the joint lining becomes inflamed as part

of the body’s immune system activity. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most serious and disabling types, affecting mostly women.

Normal and Arthritic Joints

Ankylosing spondylitis

A very common type of arthritis that affects the spine. As a result of

inflammation, the bones of the spine fuse together.

Muscle Strain

• 80% of back pain is due to muscle strain

• Causes muscles to spasm and cramp.

• Requires an increase in circulation. Done very naturally with Acupuncture.

Sciatica

• Sciatic nerve is impinged by Lumbar Vertebrae - causing radiating pain down the legs and maybe to the feet.

Examples of Disc Problems

Fibromyalgia

A recent diagnosis in which widespread pain affects the muscles and

attachments to the bone. It affects mostly women.

Most Common Treatments for Arthritis and Back Pain

• Pain Killers• Antidepressant

s• Cortisone

Injections• Fusion Surgery• Laminectomy• Hip and knee

Replacement

Most Common Treatment for Arthritis

• Anti Inflammatory Drugs – NSAID’s• Cox 2 Inhibitors• Steroids – Cortisone Shots• Surgery

Chinese Medicine’s Treatment

• Acupuncture

• Herbs (internal/external)

• Nutrition

• Lifestyle Changes

How Does Acupuncture Work?• Increases

circulation• Releases

endorphins• Releases

neurotransmitters• Moves stagnant

energy• Reduces pain

Chinese Herbal Formulas

• Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang

• Shu Feng Huo Xue Tang

• Juan Bi Tang

• Xuan Bi Tang

Anti-inflammatory Diet

• Omega-3 fatty acids

• Avoid refined and processed foods in general.

• Fresh fruits and vegetables from all parts of the color spectrum.

• Add ginger and turmeric to your diet or take them as supplements.

Lifestyle Changes

• Weight loss

• Physical activity

• Moving to a dry weather area

• Dietary changes

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The Acupuncture Experience

• Diagnosis by Effi Kfir L.Ac

• Traditional Chinese Medicine full body diagnosis - using tongue and pulse reading

• Acupuncture Treatment

• Herbal Recommendation for homecare

Time to Heal• Appointments available in the Tel

Aviv clinic at Sderot David HaMelech 57 (next to Ichilov Hospital and Weitzman City Mall)

Please call: 054-4804538• Consultations available Sunday

and Wedensday 8 am to 7 pm.• We speak English and Spanish.• Tourists are welcome.