Homeopathic Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disorder that affects the joints. The synovium gets inflamed and slowly gets destroyed. This further causes pain, aches and stiffness in joints and eventually the joints get deformed. The exact cause is uncertain but it is believed that it is an autoimmune disorder. This disorder is more common in women. A diagnosis of arthritis is made on combination of factors, by assessing the medical history, performing physical examination, ordering specific laboratory tests and x-rays.

Homoeopathy considers arthritis as a constitutional problem and treats it accordingly. Homeopathy can prove to be a great boon for all those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a complex chronic disorder and needs to be evaluated properly before any prescription is made. As Homoeopathic prescription is based upon careful analysis of the symptoms of the patients, it is a system of medicine that understands and treats the patient's individualized disease characteristics deeply enough to ensure the complete elimination of the disease from the root. The activated dilutions of Homoeopathic medicines stimulate the body's own restorative system to eradicate the disease. When rightly prescribed, they are extremely safe. Selecting the right homeopathic medicine requires complete analysis of the body on various levels- mental, physical and particulars (i.e. the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis). Although it is not very clear as how homeopathy works in rheumatoid arthritis, it is hypothesized that homoeopathic medicines regulate the immune system and deactivates the misdirected immune cells. They also help in reducing the inflammation in the joints. Reversal of deformity with homoeopathy is still under debate and nothing conclusive can be said about it.

Homoeopathy also benefits in those cases when one is already taking allopathic painkillers for rheumatoid arthritis. It can gradually reduce the dependence on painkillers and then make one feel the need of taking it only in emergency.  After continuous and regular homoeopathic therapy, dependence on painkillers would totally vanish. The Scope of homoeopathic treatment in rheumatoid arthritis is very favorable. But the patient needs to understand that the homeopathic system is aiming to clear out the disease from the body and not trying merely to suppress or give temporary relief. Thus it could take a while before one experiences relief. The time required for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is dependent on various factors like the chronicity of the disease, genetic propensity and the extent of damage.

Especially in the early stages, cases of Rheumatoid Arthritis respond well to the homoeopathic treatment. The medicines can reduce the frequency, duration and severity of the attacks and can delay the onset of complications. In advanced stages where deformities of the joints have occurred, Homeopathy can help to ease the pain. Through Homoeopathic treatment, the disease progress can be slowed down, significant reduction in joint stiffness and pain can be achieved and further complications of the disease can be prevented. Overall the scope of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with Homeopathy is good and it is definitely suggested in all cases of arthritis. Below are the indications of few homoeopathic medicines, which are indicated in rheumatoid arthritis discussed. Though the medicines are to be prescribed depending on the totality of symptoms.

Arnica: Chronic arthritis with a feeling of bruise and soreness. Painful parts feel worse from being moved or touched.

Aurum metallicum: Wandering pains in the muscles and joints that are better from motion and warmth, and worse at night. Deep pain in the limbs when trying to sleep.

Bryonia: Stiffness and inflammation with tearing or throbbing pain, made worse by the slightest motion and in cold dry weather. Pressure and rest brings relief. Part sensitive to touch. 

Calcarea carbonica: Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the shoulders and upper back. Useful in deeply aching arthritis involving node formation around the joints. Inflammation and soreness are worse from cold and dampness, and problems may be focused on the knees and hands. Weakness in the muscles, easy fatigue from exertion, and a feeling of chilliness or sluggishness are common. A person who needs Calcarea is often solid and responsible, but tends to become extremely anxious and overwhelmed when ill or overworked. Useful in sharp rheumatic pains in the wrists, hands and feet (small joints).

Causticum: Useful when deformities develop in the joints, in a person with a tendency toward tendon problems, muscle weakness, and contractures. The hands and fingers may be most affected, although other joints can also be involved. Stiffness and pain are worse from being cold, and relief may come with warmth. A person who needs this remedy often feels best in rainy weather and worse when the days are clear and dry.

Calcarea fluorica: This remedy is often indicated when arthritic pains improve with heat and motion. Joints become enlarged and hard, and nodes or deformities develop. Indicated in arthritis after chronic injury to joints.

Cimicifuga: Great aching in the muscles, and in the belly of the muscles rather than the extremities. It is also prone to occur in the large muscles of the trunk rather than the small muscles of the extremities, here resembling Nux vomica. It differs from Rhus by not acting on fibrous structures, being rather a remedy for muscular rheumatism. Rheumatism in the muscles, coming on suddenly and of great severity, worse at night and in wet and windy weather. Great restlessness, but motion aggravates. Caulophyllum, so similar in many other ways, differs from Cimicifuga in having rheumatism of the metacarpal and phalangeal articulations of the hand.

Actaea spicata: Acts on the small joints of the hands and feet. Joints ache and swell while the patient is walking.

Ranunculus bulbosus:  Is especially useful in rheumatism of the muscles of the chest and trunk. There is a great deal of soreness, the muscles have a bruised feeling, and changeable, damp weather aggravates.

Colchicum: It has a special affinity for fibrous tissues, tendons, aponeuroses, ligaments and periosteum. It has shifting rheumatism like Kalmia, Pulsatilla, etc., Pains are worse in the evening; the slightest motion aggravates; the patient is irritable; the pain seems unbearable. Sometimes it is useful when the rheumatism attacks the chest, with pains about the heart and a sensation as if the heart were squeezed by a tight bandage. There is evening aggravation; the joints are swollen and dark red. Colchicum is especially useful for rheumatic affections in debilitated persons those who are weak. It is a remedy for the smaller joints. Actaea spicata, Caulophyllum, Ledum and Rhododendron affect the smaller joints of the hands and feet.

Benzoic acid: Indicated in rheumatism of the small joints, gouty nodosities, weeping sinews, cracking in joints, gouty nodosities with great characteristic accompaniment of extremely offensive urine.

Ammonium phosphoricum: Has nodes and concretions in the joints.

Lithium carbonicum: Rheumatism of the finger joints, with tendency to heart complications. It has rheumatic soreness about the heart; recurring attacks also indicate it.

Dulcamara: Arthritis flares up during cold damp weather, by sudden changes in the weather, or after the person gets chilled and wet. People needing Dulcamara are often stout, with a tendency toward back pain, chronic stiffness in the muscles and allergies.

 Kali bichromicum: Arthritic pains may alternate with asthma or stomach symptoms. Pains come and go suddenly, or shift around. Discomfort and inflammation are aggravated by heat and worse when the weather is warm.

Kali carbonicum: Arthritis with great stiffness and stitching pains, worse in the early morning hours and worse from cold and dampness, especially if joints are becoming deformed.

Kalmia latiflora: Intense arthritic pain that flares up suddenly especially when problems start in higher joints and extend to lower ones. Pain and inflammation may begin in the elbows, spreading downward to the wrists and hands. Discomfort is worse from motion, when going to sleep and often worse at night. Has wandering rheumatic pains, and is especially useful in rheumatism affecting the chest, or when rheumatism or gout shifts from the joints to the heart. The muscles of the neck are sore and the back is lame.

Ledum palustre: Arthritis that starts in lower joints and extends to higher ones may respond to this remedy. Pain and inflammation often begin in the toes and spread upward to the ankles and knees. The joints may also make cracking sounds. Ledum is strongly indicated when swelling is significant and relieved by cold applications.

Phytolacca: The sphere of Phytolacca seems to be where there is a syphilitic taint. It is particularly useful in pains below the elbows and knees. There is stiffness and lameness of the muscles; the pains seem to fly about, are worse at night and are especially aggravated by damp weather. Rheumatic affections of the sheaths, of the nerves, periosteal rheumatism or rheumatism of the fibrous tissues are often benefited by Phytolacca. Rheumatism of the shoulder and arms, especially in syphilitic cases, may call for this remedy.

Pulsatilla: The pain of rheumatoid arthritis is changeable in quality and the flare-ups move from place to place. Worse from warmth and better from fresh air, cold applications and with slow movement. People who need this remedy usually are emotional and affectionate, sometimes having tearful mood. Patient is thirstless.

Rhododendron: Swelling and soreness flares up before a storm, continuing until the weather clears. Cold and dampness aggravates the symptoms. Discomfort is often worse toward early morning, or with a change of weather. The person feels better from warmth and gentle motion, and also after eating. Rhododendron: The patient is worse or an impending storm.

Rhus toxicodendron: Rheumatoid arthritis, with pain and stiffness that is worse in the morning, on first motion or in cold and damp conditions but better from continued movement. Hot baths or showers, and warm applications improve the stiffness and relieve the pain. The condition is worse in cold, wet weather or after rest. The pains can be in any part of the body - either in large or small joints. Lack of movement causes pain and stiffness. The person may feel extremely restless, unable to find a comfortable position, and need to keep moving constantly. Continued motion also helps to relieve anxiety.

Ruta graveolens: : Useful in rheumatism of the knees, wrists, low back area and large joints. Arthritis with a feeling of great stiffness and lameness, worse from cold and damp and from exertion. Warm, damp weather brings relief. Tendons and capsules of the joints can be deeply affected or damaged. The arthritis may have developed after overuse, from repeated wear and tear.

Mercurius: Pain and swelling of joints, worse at night with profuse sweat and pericardial complications. 

Belladonna: Pain strikes suddenly. The afflicted joints are swollen and red. The pain is 'sharp' and related to chills or getting wet.

Apis mellifica: There is much swelling and little pain of the affected joint.

Homoeopathic cure for rheumatoid arthritis make one more healthy and mobile with reduced or no pains at all. And the most important thing is that homeopathic medicines for rheumatoid arthritis and joint pains are totally free from side effects and are safe for long term use. The scope of improvement of rheumatoid arthritis with Homeopathy varies somewhat but overall the scope is very good and Homoeopathy does have a definite solution to the sufferers of Rheumatoid Arthritis.