Arthritis

Osteoarthritis Acupuncture Best Professor Yoland Lim Australia Melbourne Dr Justin Lim treatment

What is Arthritis?


The word arthritis means ‘inflammation of the joints’ - a condition involving pain, swelling, heat, stiffness and sometimes redness of a joint. Arthritis is so widespread that an entire chapter in Professor Yoland Lim's book 'Your Body is Your Doctor' is dedicated to this non-discriminatory and ancient chronic crippling disease. It affects multiple levels of society, traditionally including Egyptian pharaohs, through to others in their, and our society.

Professor Yoland Lim states that whilst climatic conditions of 'dampness' and changing weather in the world may be contributing to the high incidence of arthritis, in his opinion diet is a greater cause. The optimal diet for arthritis should be curated to avoid obesity whilst maintaining good healthy nutrition. Professor Yoland Lim's management program has treated a number of patients over the last nearly 50 years.


This program consists of three steps: 

  1. Elimination and cleansing process
  2. Building up process
  3. Exercise 

The elimination and cleansing process is the most important. The body becomes a storehouse of junk which has been deposited in the cells. It is vital that your body has a 'clean' foundation to build on. Through time, whether it be from dietary factors, or chronic overuse, or a genetic component, just like a building, our foundations must be strong. The cleansing process initially involves a calm mental approach. 


The building up process may incorporate physical and breathing exercises, which are known to improve circulation, increase oxygen intake thereby bringing more nutrients to the cells for repair and dissipate unwanted metabolites. The building up process involves a positive physical and mental approach to health. A nutritious fresh food diet may be prescribed along with other medications.


Professor Yoland Lim Health Care's medical approach (Fong Yang Therapy) is to work in conjunction with fellow medical practitioners and specialists with a general medical holistic patient centered approach to help co-ordinate and integrate care of the patient, including wellbeing, stress, and mental health in addition to acupuncture. 


Doctors who are up to date with medical research in the benefits of acupuncture, know there is a famous and well respected Vickers Trial, which was a "Systematic review...with a total of 17,922 patients analysed. Conclusions: Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain".


References:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3658605/


Diet, Exercise, Arthritis


Diet and Arthritis

There are no ‘miracle diets’ for arthritis. A balanced, nourishing diet is advised and designed to keep the body strong and at its proper weight. Certain kinds of arthritis may involve special dietary considerations. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis may feel ill, stop eating and lose weight. 

People with osteoarthritis tend to become inactive because of joint pain and thus gain weight. A sensible reducing diet (not a sudden crash program) may be required. Patients with gout may have to cut back their intake of certain meats, shellfish or alcohol.


Does Exercise Help?

It depends on the kind of exercise, and the kind of arthritis. 

In active rheumatoid arthritis, the painful stiff joints tend to freeze up. They must not be allowed to do so. Each affected joint should be mobilised and if possible through its complete range of motion, at least twice a day – with the aid of another person if necessary. 


Professor Yoland Lim Health Care has developed gentle exercises which will be tailored for your treatment. Walking and swimming also may form an important part of the treatment.

  • Application of mild warmth may make movement easier for osteoarthritis to combat the cold and damp which exacerbates symptoms.
  • Isometric exercises won’t overload stiff joints and may help keep the adjacent muscles strong and in tone. Swimming is excellent as it usually does not cause undue stress on the joints.
  • Heavy, vigorous exercise, such as jogging or hiking up hills, can increase pain, joint damage, excessive exercise may do further damage.

Relieving the joints of unnecessary work is an important part of treatment, but these joints must not be allowed to be totally immobile.


Treatment Program


Arthritis treatment program may involve:

  • Fong Yang Shi Luo Dou, Professor Yoland Lim Health Care's form of Acupuncture Treatment 
  • Professor Yoland Lim Health Care's binaural therapy: Meditation Music (Chanting) originating from Professor Yoland Lim's forefathers.  
  • Fong Yang Chi Kong exercise 
  • Diet based on 5 elements


Professor Yoland Lim Health Care also recommends:

i) Balanced fresh food diet

ii) Eliminating sugar, flour, chicken and tinned and pre-packaged food from the diet while

iii) Increasing daily consumption of fresh vegetables.


A positive calm mental approach, exercises, and physical and breathing exercises may be advised to improve circulation and increase oxygen distribution.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is considered the most serious form because of its long, chronic course and the severe disability it may cause. It affects three times as many women as men. Usually worse in the morning and has stiffness lasting up to several hours, but gets slightly improved with movement.


Typically RA progresses slowly affecting similar joints on both sides of the body simultaneously namely Metacarpophalangeal (knuckles) and Distal Interphalangeal (outer) finger joints, wrists and elbows. In the early stages, the joints grow puffy, painful and stiff. The inflammation soon begins to damage cartilage in the joints. Initially flare-ups of joint pain may quieten down for weeks at a time, but the inflammation usually always returns and finally becomes chronic.


After several months to years, it moves into a second stage. Hard nodules form under the skin near the affected joints. The acute inflammation may quieten down but joint damage may become progressively more sinister. Continuing muscle spasm may dislocate and twist the finger joints. Typical signs include ulnar deviation (outward) displacement of fingers, ‘Z deformity’ of the thumb and boutonniere and swan neck deformity of the fingers. Knees or hips (delayed in 50%) can become so crippled that they can’t bear weight or even be moved without extreme pain.


The disease may start immediately after some severe physical or emotional shock, such as an internal infection or a significant emotional event.


RA is an auto-immune reaction where the patient’s own natural immune defences attack the linings of the joints as if they were a threatening foreign body. Professor Yoland Lim Health Care may order pathology tests looking for ‘rheumatoid factor’ which is positive in 70-80% of patients and ‘anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) which is very specific fpr RA (positive in 96% of patients).

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the commonest arthritis and is a degenerative joint disease occurring in 10% of the adult population with 50% of over 60 year olds having it. Sooner or later, if you live long enough, you are likely to encounter this. It affects both men and women equally. For some it is only a minor, occasionally disabling irritation but for others it may be a continual source of distress.


Unlike RA, OA joint involvement is not necessarily symmetrical. Pain and stiffness gets worse by the end of the day and worse with activity. It feels better after resting and worse in cold and damp conditions. 


Professor Yoland Lim Health Care may advise on daily range-of-motion exercise, such as its Fong Yang Therapy Exercises but vigorous exercise is cautioned against as this may do more harm to already damaged joints. Since many people with OA simply can’t engage in regular exercise, weight control becomes even more important. But a 'crash diet' that may harm the rest of the body is not advisable. What is needed is a balanced nutritional diet including fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat or other protein and some non-sugary cereal foods and dairy products in small enough quantities to achieve a gradual consistent weight loss. 

Gouty Arthritis

Gouty Arthritis is an abnormality of monosodium urate (Uric Acid) crystals which abnormally deposit in joints. With proper treatment, good symptomatic control of the disease can occur although the underlying condition is incurable.  Uric Acid is a natural chemical waste product in our body. 


It may be caused by too much alcohol, starvation and certain prescription medications (such as diuretics). When predisposed patients consume too much seafood, cheese, beer and wine, the precursor for uric acid, purines are in excess. When uric acid can’t be metabolised sufficiently in our body nor excreted in our urine (some people have ‘inborn metabolic errors’ preventing this) it results in excruciatingly painful joints, predominantly, but not limited to the big toe of our feet.  Up to 8% of men get this, and are usually in their 40s-50s. Treatment of gout requires medicines to fight inflammation and get rid of the excess uric acid. 

Other Arthritis

Although the ‘big three’ – rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and gouty arthritis account for the vast preponderance of arthritis, there are also other forms. An example is that there are several forms of juvenile (child) arthritis, different from the adult form, which can commence from infancy through to late adolescence, and beyond.  


Other conditions that mimic Arthritis

  • Bursitis: inflammation of bursa, a protective fluid-filled pouch overlaying the shoulder, elbow, knee or other joint or bony prominence. Includes housemaid knee, bunion.
  • Tennis Elbow: strain of forearm muscles on the outer side of the elbow. From overuse: hammering, tennis, driving, etc. 
  • Tendonitis and tenosynovitis: inflammation of tendons and/or tendon sheaths of the shoulder, wrist, hip or heel. 
  • Torticolus (Stiff Neck): spasm of the neck muscles causing turning and tilting of the head. 
  • Fibromyositis: inflammation of muscle and connective tissue due to acute strain, includes lumbago. 
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: wrist pain; pain, tingling, weakness of palm and thumb due to tightening of wrist ligaments and consequent pressure on median nerve in hand.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory autoimmune spinal condition whereby our immune system is defective and attacks healthy tissue around the spine[1]. Because of this, people affected with AS commonly present with inflammation of the neck, back and pelvis joints causing pain and stiffness, pain in tendons and ligaments and reduced spinal mobility[2]. AS affects 1 in 200 individuals and there is a stronger prevalence in males compared to females[3]. 


Currently medical practitioners and researchers do not know the exact cause of AS but it is thought to be due to genetic factors and not by strenuous activity[4]. Furthermore, there is currently no cure for AS and unfortunately no current treatment options have been shown to induce remission5. 


Despite this, it is important to seek help as early as possible if any symptoms are present as there are many effective treatments to help manage the pain and improve quality of life[4]. These include both physiotherapy including hydrotherapy (exercises in water) and medical treatments such as analgesics (pain relief), non-steroidal anti-inflammation drugs and anti-rheumatic drugs. However before one takes these medications, it is important to be fully aware of the potential side effects of these. Additionally  to these two treatment strategies, research has shown the successful effect of acupuncture in relieving pain and preventing future relapses in people affected with AS[6]. 


References

1 Better Health Channel (2018, July) Ankylosing spondylitis. betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/ankylosing-spondylitis

2 Department of Health – Healthy WA. Ankylosing spondylitis. healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Ankylosing-spondylitis

3 Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (2013, November) Ankylosing spondylitis – An update. Rheumatology Vol 42 (11) 780-784

4 Arthritis Australia. Ankylosing spondylitis. arthritisaustralia.com.au/types-of-arthritis/ankylosing-spondylitis/

5 Brown, M, Bradbury, L (2017, March 20). New approaches in ankylosing spondylitis. Med J Vol 206 (5) 192-194. doi: 10.5694/mja16.01111

6 Zhao et al (2015, November). A case report of ankylosing spondylitis treated by acupuncture. European Journal of Biomedical Research Vol 1 (2) 18-22. doi: 10.18088/ejbmr.1.2.2015.pp18-

Raynaud’s phenomenon

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition induced by the cold and stress where there is a short-term interruption of blood flow to our extremities (fingers and toes) as the body redirects blood from the extremities to the internal organs[1]. 


Raynaud’s phenomenon can also affect other body parts, such as the nose, lips and ears. There are two kinds of Raynaud’s phenomenon: 

1. Primary Raynaud’s phenomenon- whereby the underlying cause is unknown and generally happens sporadically

2. Secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon- arises as a product of other medical conditions, typically autoimmune disorders[2]. 


Due to the narrowing of blood vessels as a result of the redirection of blood, the most common symptom is the extremities turning a white, then blue colour leading to a stinging/tingling pain and numbness[3], followed by a change to a red hue. 


Treatment includes keeping your body and extremities warm and avoiding exposure to the cold. In more severe cases, prescribed medication can be issued to improve circulation and widen the blood vessels[4]. Alongside these treatments, a study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine has highlighted the positive effects of acupuncture in treating patients with Raynaud’s syndrome with all treated patients showing a decreased in the frequency of Raynaud attacks[5].


References

[1] Better Health Channel (2019, August) Raynaud’s phenomenon. betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/raynauds-phenomenon

[2] Musculoskeletal Australia. Raynaud’s Phenomenon. msk.org.au/raynauds-phenomenon/

[3] John Hopkins Medicine Raynaud’s Phenomenon hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/raynauds-phenomenon

[4] Health Direct (2018, August) Raynaud’s phenomenon. healthdirect.gov.au/raynauds-phenomenon

[5] Appiah, R et al (2003, October) Treatment of primary Raynaud’s syndrome with traditional Chinese acupuncture. Journal of Internal Medicine Vol 241 (2). doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2796.1997.91105000.x

Scleroderma

Scleroderma or systemic sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease that affects many parts of the body and involves the thickening or hardening of skin and tissue[1]. Patients with scleroderma commonly suffer from internal organ complications such as:

  • gastrointestinal disease
  • renal crisis
  • lung disease
  • pericarditis and 
  • heart defects[2]. 


There are two major types of Scleroderma: 

  1. Localised scleroderma (affecting only the skin and sometimes muscle) and 
  2. Systemic sclerosis (affecting blood vessels, joints, the digestive system and internal organs)[3].


The severity of scleroderma varies from patient to patient but common symptoms include: 

  • Raynaud’s phenomenon
  • stiffness and pain in joints and muscles
  • thickening and hardening of the skin and 
  • if internal organs are affected, indigestion, heartburn, constipation and diarrhoea[4]. 


Although there are various drugs used in the treatment of scleroderma, a study from 2015 published by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health’s investigated the effects of acupuncture as a treatment and found beneficial results in patients who were not responsive to medication[5]. 


References

[1] Scleroderma Australia. What is Scleroderma? sclerodermaaustralia.com.au/about/about-scleroderma

[2] The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Red flags in scleroderma. racgp.org.au/afpbackissues/2008/200810/200810Li.pdf

[3] Arthritis Australia. Scleroderma. arthritisaustralia.com.au/types-of-arthritis/scleroderma/

[4] Better Health Channel. Scleroderma. betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/scleroderma

[5] Saliha et al (2015) Beneficial Acupuncture Treatment For Systemic Sclerosis which was Non-Responsive to Medications.  Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research Vol 40 (3) 205-214. doi: 10.3727/036012915x14473562233021