
Acupuncture for OsteoarthritisBY GIL BARZILAY, PhD, Dipl CM
EVIDENCE SUMMARY: OSTEOARTHRITIS
Strength of evidence





ACUPUNCTURE FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease characterised by the deterioration of cartilage in joints that results in bones rubbing together, creating stiffness, pain, and impaired movement. Although osteoarthritis may affect any joint, the knee, hip, and hand are most commonly affected.1 Knee osteoarthritis accounts for more than 80% of the disease’s total burden and affects at least 19% of American adults aged 45 years and older.2
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major contributor to functional and social impairment, physical disability and poorer quality of life in older adults and increases the risk of further health issues.
While OA is related to ageing, it is also associated with a variety of risk factors, including obesity, lack of exercise, genetic predisposition, poor bone density, occupational injury, trauma, and gender, with a predominance in females compared to males. The prevalence of OA is increasing due to a rise in contributing factors such as obesity and an ageing population.1
BIOCHEMICAL MECHANISMS OF ACUPUNCTURE

CLINICAL EVIDENCE FOR PAIN RELIEF & IMPROVED JOINT FUNCTION
…full evidence summary COMING SOON!
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Osteoarthr. Cartil. 21, 1290–1298 (2013).