EFFECTIVENESS OF ACUPUNCTURE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS REHABILITATION

The effectiveness of acupuncture in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rehabilitation is the focus of this study, which provides a detailed and in-depth analysis of the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, epidemiology, diagnosis, etiology, risk factors, laboratory and instrumental analyses, as well as management and prevention strategies of RA. The research examines the efficacy of acupuncture interventions in reducing pain, improving joint mobility, decreasing inflammation markers, and enhancing quality of life in RA patients, as well as acupuncture-related side effects, combined use with adjunct therapies (eg, medications, physiotherapy, exercise, and nutrition), including integration with biological agents and immunosuppressants. Findings indicate that acupuncture in RA rehabilitation can reduce pain by 30-50%, improve joint functions by 20-40%, decrease inflammation markers (ESR and CRP) by 25-35%, and significantly increase patients' quality of life, contributing to long-term disease remission. The study proposes integrative approaches combining traditional medicine (acupuncture, herbal therapy) and modern methods (biologic therapy, physiotherapy) for RA rehabilitation, revealing novel strategies applicable in clinical practice, preventive programs, patient education, and future research. The relevance of this work is tied to the increasing RA cases amid pandemic and modern lifestyle changes (eg, reduced physical activity, dietary disruptions), impacting global healthcare systems, including economic burden and resource allocation.