Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune, chronic, inflammatory disorder causing joint inflammation with pain, swelling, and stiffness of joints. These symptoms usually begin from small joints of the hands or feet and can later affect other large joints too. It tends to involve multiple joints at a time and in a symmetrical way.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be efficiently treated with homeopathy with zero side effects as homeopathic medicines are of natural origin and devoid of any toxins. Homeopathic treatment can provide noticeable improvement in symptoms like joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. It can decrease the frequency and intensity of your pain markedly, improve your range of motion, and prevent any deformity of joints and extra-articular (other than joints) complications if opted in the the very beginning of the complaint. It can limit further progression of the disease. In mild to moderate cases, if the prescribed remedy course is followed regularly, cure might occur in many of the cases. In severe cases with joint deformity, cure may not be possible but homeopathy promises great help in symptomatic relief here and checks further joint damage. As homeopathic treatment has individualized approach in each case, the remedy selection and dosage depend on factors like severity of symptoms, age of patient, chronicity of complaint or any parallel complex symptoms involved.

Homeopathy optimises rather than suppresses immune system

As rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s own defense cells start destroying their own healthy tissues, it is known to be caused by overactive immune system. Homeopathic treatment can successfully offer help in optimizing the overactive immune system to reduce inflammation and gradually reduce the progression of chronic ailments. Homeopathy in no way suppresses the immune system.

Non-habit forming medicines, no harmful effects

Homeopathic remedies are not habit-forming and can offer effective treatment in chronic cases of rheumatoid arthritis with no negative response. These medicines can be taken along with conventional medicines. Gradually, homeopathic medicines can reduce the dependency on harmful conventional drugs.

Homeopathic medicines do not carry the risk of any harmful after-effects. Rheumatoid arthritis treatment in conventional medicine includes DMARDs (Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs), NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs) and steroids which have side effects and can lead to other complex conditions. Though these medicines can be taken in case of intense pain and severe inflammation, their long term use should be avoided.

Top 10 Homeopathic Medicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The top medicines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are Rhus Tox, Apis Mellifica, Bryonia, Antimonium Crudum, Actaea Spicata, Caulophyllum, Arnica, Ledum Pal, Calcarea Carb and Sanguinaria Can.

1. Rhus Tox –For painful, stiff joints better from movement

Rhus Tox helps to relieve joint pains and stiffness by reducing  joint inflammation. Persons needing it mainly have joint stiffness in the morning and also after a period of inactivity. Warm applications and motion of affected joint brings relief. Massaging the joint also offers relief .

When To Use Rhus Tox?

The key indication for using this medicine is pain and stiffness in joints which gets worse by rest and better by movement.

How to use Rhus Tox?

Though Rhus Tox may be used in different potencies, it is best to begin with 30C potency. Rhus Tox 30C can be taken two to three times a day as per severity of problem. Higher potencies like 200C and 1M can also be considered afterward but only under the supervision of homeopathic expert.

2. Apis Mellifica – For reducing swelling in joints

Apis Mellifica is a well-indicated medicine for cases where joint is highly swollen. Along with this the joint is red, and inflamed. Joint pains which are mainly burning, stinging type are also well treated with Apis. Joint is also sensitive to touch.

When To Use Apis Mellifica?

This medicine is recommended when there is intense swelling in joint along with redness, heat and burning, stinging pains.

How to use Apis Mellifica?

Apis Mellifica 30C can be used once or twice a day.

3. Bryonia – For red, hot, swollen, painful joints worse motion

Bryonia is helpful for cases where joints are red, hot and swollen. Besides, there is pain in joints. The pains are sharp, stitching type. The pain gets worse by motion and better with rest. Warmth may relieve the pains.  It is Indicated when  mostly knee and elbow joints are involved.

When To Use Bryonia?

Bryonia is well indicated to manage red, hot, swollen joints with pain which is worse from movement and better from rest.

How to use Bryonia?

One may use Bryonia 30C one to three times a day as per symptom intensity.

4. Antimonium Crudum – To reduce pain in finger joints

It is very beneficial to treat pain in finger joints and reduce its inflammation. Persons needing it mainly have worsening of pain from cold. They find relief by warm applications. Drawing sensation in the fingers may also be felt.

When To Use Antimonium Crudum?

Antimonium Crudum can be considered when there is pain in finger joints worse from cold and better from warm applications.

How to use Antimonium Crudum?

This medicine can be used in 30C power once a day.

5. Actaea Spicata – For wrist pain and swelling

Actaea Spicata is mainly given for cases where wrist pain and swelling are present. Wrist is also red with heat. The pain is worse from motion. It is also indicated to treat pain and swelling in other small joints of fingers, toes and ankle.

When To Use Actaea Spicata?

This medicine is prominently indicated to manage pain and swelling in wrist along with heat, redness worse from movement.

How to use Actaea Spicata?

The recommended dose for its use is Actaea Spicata 30C one or two times a day.

6. Caulophyllum – For small joints Arthritis

Caulophyllum is also used for treating arthritis affecting small joints. The small joints are painful and stiff in cases needing it. The joints of fingers, toes, ankle and wrist are affected in such cases. The pains keeps on shifting in minutes from one joint to the other. In some cases, nodes are present on finger joints.

When To Use Caulophyllum?

The most highlighting feature guiding its use is pain and stiffness in small joints including fingers, toes, ankle and wrist with frequent shifting of pain among these joints.

How to use Caulophyllum?

Caulophyllum 30C should be used twice a day for good results.

7. Arnica – For markedly tender joints

Arnica is majorly used when the joints are extremely tender. Person has great fear of touching the affceted joint due to pain and tenderness. The knee also has sore, bruised pain along with intense swelling.

When to use Arnica?

The leading symptom to use Arnica is extreme pain and tenderness of affected joint with pain from least touch.

How to use Arnica?

Arnica can be taken one to three times daily as the case demands.

8. Ledum Pal – For painful, swollen ankles

Ledum Pal offers great help in reducing pain and swelling in the ankles.

Persons needing it have worsening of ankle pain from movement. They find relief in it by cold applications. They may have ascending rheumatism where pain start from feet joints and then ascend to joints above it in the leg.

When to use Ledum Pal?

A person may opt its use for managing pain and swelling in ankles worse from movement and better from cold application.

How to use Ledum Pal?

It is suggested to use this medicine one to three times in a day as per the severity of pain and swelling.

9. Calcarea Carb – For pain and swelling in knee joint

It is an Important medicine to manage pain and swelling in the knee joint. The pains are drawing, tearing in nature . The knee is swollen mostly at night time. It is also hot and tenderness to touch.

When to use Calcarea Carb?

This medicine is indicated for cases having pain and swelling in knee joints worse at night

How to use Calcarea Carb?

This medicine can be taken in 30 C power not more than once a day. For using its higher potencies like 200C, 1M it is advised to consult a homeopathic doctor.

10. Sanguinaria Can – For shoulder joint pain

Sanguinaria Can works well to treat shoulder joint pain. It also helps to reduce attending stiffness in it. Shoulder pain gets worse by raising the arm in cases needing it. Worsening if pain at night is also noted in such cases.

When to use Sanguinaria Can?

The foremost feature for its use is pain in the shoulder joint worse raising arm and at night along with stiffness.

How to use Sanguinaria Can?

This medicine can be used once or twice a day in 30C potency.

Symptoms of  Rheumatoid Arthritis

The main symptoms are pain in joints, swelling in joints, stiffness of joints which mostly appear in morning and after periods of inactivity. In this, multiple joints are involved in a symmetrical manner i.e.  involving the same joints on both sides of the body.

The symptoms initially start from small joints of hands or feet and may  progress to other joints like wrist, elbow, shoulder, knee, hip and ankle .

The affected joint is also red, warm and tender to touch in flare up phase. Loss of joint function , mobility and deformity appear in later stages if not treated well in time. Few general signs and symptoms that may attend joint involvement include weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, muscle aches, depression and anaemia.

 Joint deformities

The main joint deformities that can develop in rheumatoid arthritis are as follows:

1. Swan neck deformity: in this deformity the joint in finger closest to fingertip gets bent towards the palm (flexion of distal inter-phalangeal joint) and the joint in finger nearest to palm bends away from it (hyperextension of proximal inter-phalangeal joint).

2. Boutonniere deformity : in this deformity the joint in finger nearest to palm gets bent towards the palm (flexion of proximal inter-phalangeal joint) and the joint nearest to finger tip bends back (hyperextension of distal inter-phalangeal joint).

3. Ulnar deviation: In this swelling in the metacarpo-phalangeal joints (joint that connect bone in palm to the bone in finger ). It leads to leaning of the fingers away from thumb towards little fingers. This deformity is also known as ulnar drift.

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis? 

The exact cause behind rheumatoid arthritis is not clearly understood. However it is thought to be an autoimmune disease.

What  triggers the autoimmune process for RA is not exactly known. But there are certain factors that increase the risk of the disease. First among them is genetic factor . Certain genes ( human leucocyte antigen HLA – DR1 and HLA – DR4) make a person more prone to develop this disease. Females are more at risk as compared to males. Persons of middle age group are more affected. Other factors that put a person at risk of this include a family history of this disease, smoking, obesity, environmental exposures like exposures to asbestos or silica, stress, history of viral infections like Epstein – Barr virus (EBV) and certain dietary factors.

Investigations for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The blood test done in cases suspected of rheumatoid arthritis are rheumatoid factor, Anti – cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti – CCP), ESR and c – reactive protein (CRP). Other tests include X-Ray and MRI of affected joints which are done to rule out the severity of the disease.

What are its types?

Seropositive: In this type persons with rheumatoid arthritis have their blood tests positive for rheumatoid factor or anti – CCPs.

Seronegative: A person may develop Rheumatoid arthritis even in the absence of rheumatoid factor or anti – CCPs. This is termed as seronegative type rheumatoid arthritis. In this type the blood tests are negative for RF and anti – CCPs. In such cases diagnosis is done on the basis of clinical symptoms and X- rays. This type is usually  milder than the seropositve type.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is when rheumatoid  arthritis affects children younger than 17 yrs of age.  It is also known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Palindromic rheumatism: In this recurrent attacks of pain, swelling appears in one or more joints all of sudden. It last for few hours or few days. In between the flare up attacks the pain and swelling subsides completely. It is not a type of rheumatoid arthritis but people having palindromic rheumatism have chance to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

 

 

 

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid Arthritis is as an autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting joints. It leads to pain, swelling and stiffness in joints. In long standing cases of Rheumatoid Arthritis, the affected joints are destroyed, resulting in varying degrees of deformity. Homeopathic remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis are made of natural substances, are of great help in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Homeopathic RA treatments are completely safe with no side effects, they work to eliminate the root cause of the problem.

Top Homeopathic Remedies For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Natural Homeopathic remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis with  pain in finger joints

Antimonium Crudum is the top natural remedy for Rheumatoid Arthritis when the patient is suffering from pain in finger joints  . The patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis who complain of pain in finger joints which gets worse in cold weather or by washing hands in cold water and gets better by applying something warm on the fingers can greatly benefit from this Homeopathic remedy. Antimonium Crudum also yields good results in patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis in whom the pain in finger joints alternates with stomach complaints and a thick white-coated tongue. The arthritic finger pains which worsen after taking wine can also be treated with this Homeopathic medicine.

Lithium Carbonicum is another Homeopathic medicine of great help for patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis who complain of pain in finger joints accompanied by swelling over the finger joints. The patient’s condition gets better by applying hot water. Patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis with pain in finger joints who complain of dim vision and weakness of eyes as an associated symptom can also benefit from natural Homeopathic medicine Lithium Carbonicum. It is also the Homeopathic remedy for patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis who have a history of some heart complaint along with pain in finger joints.

Caulophyllum is the ideal natural Homeopathic remedy for pain in finger joints with much stiffness in a patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Caulophyllum is also of great help when the pain in finger joints shifts from one finger to another in a very short time. Guaiacum Officinale is another top Homeopathic medicine when the patient has pain in finger joints that is pricking with much stiffness, and which gets worse by heat.

Homeopathic treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis with pain in wrist joints

Actaea Spicata is an excellent natural Homeopathic medicine for treating the pain in wrist of a patient suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis. Tearing and tingling type of pain in the wrist with excessive swelling, that gets worse with touch and motion, is also effectively treatedby Actaea Spicata. Another Homeopathic remedy of great benefit when a patient of Rheumatoid Arthritis has a tearing type of pain in the wrist, especially on the right side, is Rhododendron. The pain gets worse when the wrist is kept in a resting position. This is also the Homeopathic remedy for patients who complain of rheumatic pain in wrist which gets worse during stormy weather. Natural Homeopathic medicine Colchicum Autumnale is the ideal treatment for rheumatic pain of wrist where the pain is aggravated by touch and at night. The pain in wrist in which there is a sensation of needles and numbness of fingertips is also treated by Homeopathic medicine Colchicum Autumnale.Formica Rufa, on the other hand, is a very beneficial Homeopathic medicine for rheumatic pain in wrist joint when the pain appears suddenly and the patient feels better by rubbing or pressing the wrist.

Homeopathic medicines for pain in knee joints in a patient of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rhus Toxicodendron is among the top natural Homeopathic medicines for treating rheumatic pain in knee joints. For this medicine to be used, the main symptoms to be considered are pain and stiffness of knees which get worse while the patient is resting, and there is a decrease in pain as the patient walks continuously. Bryonia Alba is another Homeopathic medicine that can yield very good results in the treatment of rheumatic pains of knees. The patients requiring this natural Homeopathic remedy complain of excessive stitching type of pain, stiffness and swelling in knee joints. Excessive rheumatic knee pain that gets worse by a little motion of knees and better by absolute rest can also be treated with Homeopathic medicine Bryonia Alba. Calcarea Carbonica is an excellent Homeopathic medicine for treating rheumatic pain in knee joints when the pain increases by working in water like washing clothes. Another symptom that guides towards using this natural Homeopathic remedy in rheumatic patients is pain in knees with much swelling and coldness of knees. Homeopathic medicine Salicylicum Acidum is also used for excessive rheumatic pain in knee joints with much swelling and high fever that get worse on the slightest touch and movement of knee. Homeopathic medicine Causticum is used to treat rheumatic pains of knee if the patient gets relief from pain by applying something hot and experiences restless legs at night.

Homeopathic remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis with shifting pain in joints

Pulsatilla Nigricans is a natural Homeopathic medicine of great help forRheumatoid Arthritis patients who complain of shifting type of painsin joints. It is also the ideal Homeopathic medicine for rheumatic pains that constantly shift from one joint to another along with chilliness and making the patient restless. The patient also has no thirst for water the whole day. Caulophyllum is another Homeopathic remedy for treating rheumatic pains that goon wandering mainly in small joints of fingers and wrist. If the rheumatic pain in joints is of shooting nature or the pain gives the sensation of an electric shock while rapidly shifting from one joint to another,natural Homeopathic medicine Phytolacca Decendra is the ideal remedy. Homeopathic medicine Kalmia Latifolia is used for treatment of shifting pain in joints when the pains are of a pricking nature, with numbness of affected joint and shifting from one joint to another in quick succession.

Homeopathic medicines for acute inflammation of joints in patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Apis Mellifica is a wonderful natural Homeopathic medicine for acute inflammatory condition of joints where the joints, especially the knee joint, are excessively swollen with acute sensitivity to touch and warmth. Along with the acute swelling, a stinging type of painin joints also directs towards the Homeopathic treatment provided by Apis Mellifica. Another Homeopathic medicine for treatment of an acute inflammation of joints is Arnica Montana. It is the ideal choice whenthe patient complains of swelling in joints with sore, bruised pains as if beaten up. There is also a heightened fear to touch the inflammed joints on account of the pain. Natural Homeopathic medicine Sticta Pulmonarisis is benefical in treating acute inflammation of joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis when the symptoms are redness, heat, and swelling in joints with a shooting type of pain, especially in knee joints. Homeopathic medicine Actaea Spicata is mainly used for acute inflammation of wrist and finger joints where the swelling in joints appears on slight motion with a tearing type of painwhich gets worse by touch.

Natural Homeopathic medicines for stiffness of joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rhus Toxicodendron is the best Homeopathic medicine for reducing the stiffness in joints due to Rheumatoid Arthritis where the patient feels that the joints are stiffwhen at rest and the stiffness gradually reduces as the joints come into motion. An example is knee stiffness being reduced by continuous walking. Rhus Toxicodendron is also the natural Homeopathic remedy for stiffness of joints which worsensif the patientgets wet in rain. Caulophyllum is also used forthe Homeopathic treatment of stiffness joints, mainly finger joints, with a drawing type of painin finger joints that shifts from one joint to another. Another natural Homeopathic medicine, Causticum, is mainly used when the knees joints are markedly stiffand tensewith pain in knees and heat provides relief. Guaiacum Officinale is also a useful Homeopathic medicine for the treatment of stiff joints in patients withRheumatoid Arthritis when the main symptoms are immovable stiffness of joints with pain in joints that getsworse by applying pressure and heat.

Homeopathic medicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis with deformity of joints

The top natural Homeopathic medicine for treating deformity of joints is Medorrhinum. This Homeopathic remedy is mainly prescribed when finger joints are deformed and nodes have formed on finger joints. Excessive burning heat in the hands along with deformed fingers also calls for the Homeopathic treatment of Medorrhinum. An equally good Homeopathic medicine is Benzoicum Acidum, which is recommended for treatment of deformed joints, mainly knee joint, where rheumatism is associated with Gonorrhoea and very offensive urine. Guaicum Officinale is the best natural Homeopathic medicine where the nodosities are formed on joints, leading to immovable stiffness of joints.

Best natural Homeopathic medicines for Juvenile Arthritis

Arthritis developing before the age of 18years is referred to as Juvenile Arthritis. Abrotanum is a very good Homeopathic medicine for Juvenile Arthritis. It is a natural Homeopathic remedy for pain in joints of a pricking character, mainly in wrist and ankle joints. If the arthritis develops due to suppression of diarrhoea, then Abrotanum is the best and specific Homeopathic remedy. Natrum Phoshphoricum is another Homeopathic medicine for Juvenile Arthritis where the wrist and finger joints are involved. The main symptom that must be present for this medicine to be used is joint pains accompanied by acidity, sour eructations and sour vomiting.

Natural Homeopathic remedies for Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriasis is a skin condition in which red inflamed patches on skin are covered by silver white flakes on them. The joint painthat results because of its association with Psoriasis is referred to as Psoriatic Arthritis. Homeopathic medicines that can be used for the treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis are Sulphur and Radium Bromatum. Sulphur can be used for the treatment of joint pains that occur due to suppression of psoriatic skin lesions by external ointment applications, along with excessive heat in palms and soles. Radiumm Bromatum can be used in Psoriatic Arthritis where the joint pains are worse at night along with itching and burning on the skin.

Top Homeopathic medicines for Reactive Arthritis

Reactive Arthritis is a condition of painful inflammation of joints that occurs in response to infection in another part of the body due to bacteria. The main infections that result in Reactive Arthritis are firstly intestinal infection due to salmonella, shigella or other intestinal bacterias and secondly, the sexually transmitted diseases caused by Neisseria Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia Trachomatis bacterias. The main symptoms of Reactive Arthritis are joint pains that follow or accompany diarrhoea or dysentery, frequent or burning urination, discharges from urethra, conjunctivitis and skin inflammation.
Abrotanum is the best natural Homeopathic medicine for Reactive Arthritis where the arthritis follows diarrhoea, which is suppressed due to any cause or where joint pains alternate with dysentery. Its use is recommended in cases of arthritis where the joints, mainly ankle or wrist joints, are inflammed, stiff and pains that are of pricking character are present. Another medicine which is of great significance in Homeopathic treatment of Reactive Arthritis is Kali Bichromicum. The patients of Reactive Arthritis who complain of joint pains that alternate with dysentery can benefit from this Homeopathic medicine. Kali Bichromicum is also the Homeopathic remedy for patients in whom the main symptoms are pain, stiffness and swelling of joints that wander from one joint to the other rapidly and get worse by cold. Natural Homeopathic medicine Asclepias Tuberosa is the idealremedy in those cases of Reactive Arthritis where joint pains are accompanied by dysentery. The patient requiring this medicine complains of an offensive stool like rotten eggs with mucus in stool and pain and stiffness in joints where the patient is afraid to bend the joints because he feels that the ligaments and tendons adjoining the joints will breakon bending. Natrum Sulphuricum is yet another natural Homeopathic medicine for Reactive Arthritis where joint pains are accompanied by diarrhoea which is worse in morning. The joints, mainly knee joints, are stiff and painful with burning in the soles of feet. The other two medicines which are used for Homeopathic treatment of Reactive Arthritis where the inflammatory joint pains follow supression of gonorrheal infection are Medorrhinum and Thuja Occidentalis. Thuja Occidentalis is the natural Homeopthic remedy for patients of Reactive Arthritis in whom the joint pains are accompanied by inflammed urethra with frequent uncontrollable urination and where sharp cutting pains in urethra follow after urinating. Medorrhinum is the Homeopathic medicine suited for patients in whom the joints, mainly finger joints,get stiffwith excessive painalong with burning in hands. For Medorrhinum to be used in Reactive Arthritis, the symptoms of inflammation of urethra with excessive pain in urethra while urination alongwith joint pains must be present. Pulsatilla Nigricans is another excellent natural Homeopathic medicine for patients of Reactive Arthritis. This Homeopathic remedy is beneficial when pain and swelling in joints shift from one joint to another, accompanied by chilliness, inflammation in conjunctiva of eyes with thick yellow discharges and thick yellow gonorrheal discharges from urethra.