Honey Bee Sting Treatment for Arthritis

Apitherapy, or the use of bee-related products for medicinal purposes, is nothing new. For instance, honey has been used as a wound dressing for thousands of years. Recently, another type of treatment using bees has resurfaced that may hold promise for arthritis sufferers. Known as bee venom therapy, or BVT, people with arthritis are voluntarily stung by honeybees, hoping the chemical components of the venom will alleviate their symptoms. According to the American Apitherapy Association, most rheumatic diseases can be treated using BVT, except for those cases where significant joint deterioration has occurred. BVT does not regenerate already damaged joints.

The Treatment Regimen

• The treatment involves placing a live bee, held by tweezers, on the affected area of the body and simply allowing it to sting the patient. The bee stings appear to work best when applied to "trigger" points that align with certain acupressure locations on the body. Once the point is identified and the sting applied, the initial effect will be minimal. However, as time goes by, the area will redden, swell, and feel warm. The patient may also experience localized pain. This indicates that an immune response has been triggered and potential healing processes are occurring. Over the next two to three weeks, the patient will receive stings at regular intervals. As the treatment progresses, the patient will become desensitized to the bee venom and will stop swelling when stung. At this point, the treatment becomes significantly less effective and is usually discontinued. If the patient has obtained relief from the therapy, then further treatment is not necessary unless symptoms reoccur. For those without access to live bees, injectable bee venom can be administered by a doctor. The identical venom is injected into the skin to imitate a bee sting.

Know the Risks

• Some extremely sensitive individuals can be thrown into life-threatening anaphylactic shock by exposure to bee venom. If you are considering BVT, it is critical that you determine if you fall into this group. Even if you are a good candidate for treatment and plan on stinging yourself, ensure that you have taken precautions, such as having an epinephrine injector and liquid antihistamine available to address any allergic reactions. BVT is also contraindicated in certain instances, including pregnancy, some pre-existing illnesses and disorders, and for those under 12 years of age. Check with your physician before starting any course of BVT treatment. Also,while many feel that BVT is a proven method to treat arthritis, there are those that are skeptical, particularly in the medical community. BVT has not undergone extensive medical research and relies largely on anecdotal information for it's support. Still, for those qualified people who have tried other medical treatments without success, BVT may prove useful.

How to Start BVT

• If you chose to undergo BVT, first try to contact a local apitherapist. Some beekeepers also practice BVT. Check with your local Extension Office or state Department of Agriculture for a list of registered beekeepers. Once you have contacted someone in your area that provides BVT, talk about the price, availability, and course of treatment. Ask for any credentials, training and experience they may have. Also ask about people they have treated that are willing to provide testimonial information about their experience with BVT. You can generally have stings administered or sting yourself at home with the proper precautions. It's also important to continually evaluate the progress of your treatment. Keeping a journal is a good idea. You can also choose to keep a beehive yourself to have a ready supply of bees for your treatment. Not only do you get bees for stinging, but also honey and other bee-related products. Whatever your approach, Bee Venom Therapy may provide you with the relief you need to live a happier, more comfortable life.