Rheumatoid arthritis: early diagnosis and treatment are crucial

The early diagnosis method of rheumatoid arthritis is mainly to see whether the patient has morning stiffness, swelling and other phenomena. For the treatment of this disease, we can alleviate the condition through traditional Chinese medicine, such as cupping therapy, scraping therapy, moxibustion therapy, etc.

Early diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis

Diagnosis by symptoms:

1. Morning stiffness: More than an hour after getting up, you cannot make a fist or extend your fingers freely due to joint stiffness and the symptoms last for more than six weeks.

2. Swelling in more than three joints: Swelling in more than three joints throughout the body occurs at the same time and lasts for more than six weeks.

3. Finger arthritis: Swelling of one or more finger joints persists for more than six weeks.

4. Symmetrical joint swelling: The same joints that are symmetrical on both sides swell almost at the same time.

5. Rheumatoid nodules: Swellings ranging in size from rice grains to thumbs appear under the skin on bony protrusions such as the elbows, knees, and back of the neck.

Summary of treatments for rheumatoid arthritis

1. Cupping therapy

Acupoints: Shoulder condyle, Quchi, Waiguan, Hegu, Fengshi, Xuehai, Yanglingquan, Zusanli, Juegu.

Treatment: Use needles and medicine cups. After acupuncture, put the bamboo medicine pot (20g each of spatholobi, spatholobi, millettia, Uncaria, angelica root, angelica root, mugwort leaf, 20g each of siler, clematis root, papaya, cyathula, angelica root, chuanxiong, myrrh, frankincense, safflower,

Put 15g each of aconite, licorice and honeysuckle into a cloth bag, steam it, then boil it in water and put it in a bamboo cup. Cover the cup on the needle and remove the cup after 15 minutes. Take the medicine once every other day, 10 times constitute a course of treatment, with 7 days between courses.

2. Scraping therapy

(1) Acupoints: painful joints, etc. It is mainly used to scrape painful joints. Local scraping can enhance blood circulation in the joints, promote the excretion of pathogenic factors, and play an effective therapeutic role. For patients with wandering arthritis, scraping Xuehai acupoint is added to promote blood circulation and eliminate wind; for patients with painful arthritis, scraping Guanyuan acupoint is added to invigorate Yang Qi and eliminate cold evil; for patients with fixed arthritis, scraping Zusanli acupoint is added to strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness; for patients with hot arthritis, scraping Dazhui and Quchi acupoints is added to enhance the effect of reducing fever.

(2) Treatment method: The patient sits or lies down, and the operator applies a scraping medium that has the effect of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, and dredging meridians to the painful joints. Then the patient scrapes with moderate force until redness or sha marks appear locally. Then, according to whether it is a walking arthralgia, painful arthralgia, etc., the above-mentioned acupoints can be scraped. Scraping should be done once every 3-5 days, and 7 times constitute a course of treatment. During the intervals between scraping treatments, or for those who cannot tolerate scraping treatment, cupping therapy can be used. In addition, the Shaosha method also has a good effect on this disease and can be used appropriately. You should do appropriate physical exercise on a daily basis, avoid living in a humid environment, and pay attention to keeping your joints warm.

3. Moxibustion treatment

Method 1: For cold-damp type rheumatoid arthritis, symptoms include severe joint pain, aggravated by cold, relieved by heat, lighter during the day and heavier at night, white tongue coating, and tight pulse.

Acupoints: Dazong, Jianliao, Quchi, Yangxi, Yanggu, Yangdi, Baxie, Zhibian, Xiyan, Yangguan, Yanglingquan, Zusanli, Kunlun, Jiexi, Bafeng, Jingjiaji (1?7), Shangguan, Pishu, Shenshu, Zhiyang, Jinsuo.

Moxibustion method: ① Spiral moxibustion with moxa stick. Light the moxa stick and swirl it back and forth on the acupuncture points, with the flame 2-3 cm away from the skin. Each acupuncture point can be moxibustioned for 15-30 minutes.

4-5 points, once every other day. Suitable for rheumatism, paralysis and skin diseases. ② Moxibustion with moxa cones. Apply garlic juice on the acupuncture points to stick the moxa cone. Use standard large or medium-sized moxa cones for moxibustion. Blow the fire to speed up the burning of the moxa cone. When a strong stimulation is felt under the acupuncture point, remove the moxa cone. Generally, moxibustion is performed 3 to 10 times, which is suitable for chronic and intractable diseases. ③Moxibustion with moxa cone and garlic. Place a 3 mm thick garlic slice on the acupuncture point, pierce several holes in the middle, and place a moxa cone on the garlic slice. Each time you moxibustion each acupoint, replace the moxa cone when you feel a burning pain on the skin. The local skin of the swollen joint will bleed when it is pricked with a needle. When the finger joints are swollen and difficult to extend, use a three-edged needle to prick the four-seam acupoint to expel mucus.