Managing Gout With Acupuncture
Gout is a form of arthritis characterized by severe pain, redness, and tenderness in joints. Pain and inflammation occur when too much uric acid crystallizes and deposits in the joints.
Symptoms of gout include severe pain, redness, and swelling in joints, often the big toe. Attacks can come on suddenly, often at night.
Patients with chronic gout can make behavioral modifications such as improved diet, increased exercise and decreased intake of alcohol to help minimize the frequency of attacks.
Acupuncture Conquers Gout
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views gout as a problem of dampness and heat, or stagnation and buildup of phlegm in the joints. People who suffer from gout often also have health issues like hypertension or diabetes. I will look at the root cause of all of your health issues and treat with acupuncture and herbal medicinals to bring all of the organ systems back into harmony. Herbs will strengthen the spleen, kidneys, and liver, clear heat and dampness, and improve blood circulation.
Studies have shown that patients treated for gout with acupuncture and herbs fared better overall than those in control groups given standard Western medical treatments. Studies measured whether the pain and swelling was completely reduced within a 24-hour period as well as the reduction of uric acid levels in the blood before and after treatment. Patients who received TCM treatment for gout had better results than those taking western medicines like colchicine or allopurinol.
It’s All About Diet
It is important to understand what foods to avoid to prevent future attacks, and it is vital to plan and follow through on a healthy and appropriate diet to reduce attacks of gout.
Don’t consume
Foods that are high in purines including red meat, organ meats, and seafood
Alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and liquor. Consuming 2-4 alcoholic beverages per day greatly increases your chance of gout as your body works to remove the alcohol instead of the gout-causing uric acid.
Sugar and sugary drinks like sodas and sweetened juices. Fructose is linked to higher incidence of gout.
Refined flours and yeast can raise uric acid levels.
Do consume
Whole, natural foods – all fruits, vegetables, and legumes
Eggs and low-fat dairy products are safe sources of protein.
Water – this helps your body to more effectively flush out excess uric acid.
Home Remedies for Gout
Supplements
450 mg of Celery Seed Extract daily. This helps to reduce the amount of uric acid in the body.
500 mg of Chlorella FOUR times daily. This helps to alkalize the body.
250 mg of Nettle Root THREE times daily. This helps to eliminate uric acid from the kidneys.
500 mg of Bromelain THREE times daily between meals. This reduces inflammation.
Reduce Gout Juice
½ cup organic cherry juice
¼ cup apple juice
1 tsp lime juice
1 tsp raw honey
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Stir together lime juice and apple cider vinegar. Pour in honey and mix slowly. Pour in apple juice and cherry juice and stir. Drink once daily.