Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) affects more people than you might think. In fact, according to PubMedCentral, out of every 100,000 people, 41 are diagnosed with RA each year amounting to over 1.3 million people in America alone.

The disease is rooted in inflammation, and Healthline explains some of the most common symptoms include:

• low-grade fevers

• fatigue

• pain and stiffness for longer than 30 minutes in the morning or after sitting

• anemia

• weight loss

• rheumatoid nodules, or firm lumps, beneath the skin, primarily in the hands, elbows, or ankles

Those who suffer from RA don’t only have to deal with specific symptoms. Rheuamtoid Arthritis is a chronis condition that results in a dip in quality of life and increased medical costs, as medications and doctor visits have to be kept up with regularly.

Acupuncture is a an effective treatment for those suffering from RA because it is able to treat just about all of the disparate symptoms that the disorder brings about. Acupuncture is the safest and most natural treatment for inflammation in general, regardless of where in the body it is occurring. A study conducted last year concluded that acupuncture, when targeted specifically for RA, proves effective because of three specific effects: anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and immune system regulation.

Acupuncture isn’t a cure for RA, but it can help change the life of someone who has it. When inflammation is reduced, so is pain. When pain is reduced, quality of life increases and the seeking of treatments and the costs associated with that pursuit reduce. That’s a formula for a better future.