About Steve Chang
I am a licensed massage therapist and a licensed acupuncturist in New York State, a Tai Chi and a Yong Kong® exercises instructor, and a purser of Dao (Tao). I use massage therapy and acupuncture treatment to treat all kinds of diseases, injuries, and discomforts.
Are you suffering any pain, discomfort, or disease? if you tell us, we can help
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Knee Osteoarthritis, KOA
Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common form of arthritis that primarily affects the middle-aged and elderly population, but can also impact younger individuals. It results from the wear and tear and damage of joint cartilage, a smooth tissue that facilitates smooth joint movements. As the cartilage gradually deteriorates, the joint surface becomes rough, inhibiting smooth movement and leading to pain, swelling, reduced range of motion, and functional impairment.
Causes of Knee Osteoarthritis
The exact causes of Knee Osteoarthritis are not fully understood, but several factors are thought to contribute, including:
• Age: Aging is the most significant risk factor for developing Knee Osteoarthritis. As one ages, joint cartilage naturally wears away.
• Weight: Being overweight or obese increases the pressure on the knee joints, accelerating cartilage wear.
• Gender: Women, especially those who are postmenopausal, are more likely to develop Knee Osteoarthritis.
• Genetics: Individuals with a family history of Knee Osteoarthritis may have a higher risk.
• Previous knee injuries: Such as fractures or severe sprains of the knee joint.
• Certain occupations: Jobs that require prolonged kneeling, squatting, or heavy lifting may increase the risk.
• Other diseases: Other types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can also lead to Knee Osteoarthritis.
Existing Treatment Options
There is no cure for Knee Osteoarthritis, but a variety of treatment options can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life:
• Lifestyle modifications: Weight loss, strengthening muscles, increasing flexibility, and avoiding activities that overburden the joints.
• Physical therapy: Specific exercises and treatments to strengthen the muscles around the joint, improving stability and function.
• Medication: Includes over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen and prescription drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate pain and inflammation.
• Assistive devices: Using canes or knee braces to reduce pressure on the joints.
• Injection treatments: Such as hyaluronic acid injections and corticosteroid injections, can provide temporary pain relief.
• Surgical treatments: In severe cases, arthroscopic surgery, osteotomy, or knee replacement surgery may be necessary.
Dr. Chang's Innovative Treatment Philosophy and Approach
In current medical practice, numerous methods exist for treating Osteoarthritis of the knee, but most focus on symptom relief rather than addressing the root cause. Traditional treatments may offer short-term pain reduction but often fail to prevent further deterioration of the condition, let alone cure it. This highlights the limitations of existing treatments, which typically target the outcomes rather than the underlying causes of the disease.
Against this backdrop, Dr. Chang’s research introduces a fresh perspective. In his doctoral thesis, Dr. Chang not only thoroughly analyzed 15 existing treatment plans but also identified a common shortfall: none directly addressed the root cause of Osteoarthritis in the knee. Unlike conventional methods, Dr. Chang’s treatment philosophy aims to identify and address the fundamental reasons behind the disease, thereby achieving true prevention, treatment, and ultimately, healing.
Dr. Chang’s approach combines acupuncture, massage therapy, traditional Chinese medicine, electrotherapy, and cupping among other traditional Chinese and modern therapeutic methods, focusing not just on alleviating symptoms but fundamentally resolving the issue. This cause-oriented treatment method not only offers an effective way to comprehensively improve knee problems but also represents an innovative breakthrough in treating Osteoarthritis of the knee.
Moreover, Dr. Chang’s plan underscores the importance of individualized treatment, recognizing that each patient’s condition and physical state are unique. Therefore, the treatment plan is tailored and optimized according to the specific circumstances of each patient. This personalized approach, which includes injection therapies among other treatment modalities, provides a more comprehensive and in-depth treatment option for patients with Osteoarthritis of the knee, aiming for long-term therapeutic effects and fundamental resolution of the disease.
Dr. Chang’s research and treatment plan, meticulously documented in his doctoral thesis and patented*, bring new hope and possibilities to the field of Osteoarthritis treatment.