Top 6 Homeopathic Remedies for Joint Pains

Pain in the joints is a very common complaint, ranging from mild to severe intensity, which can incapacitate a person from doing daily chores. The joint pain can be attended with other signs and symptoms such as stiffness, swelling, redness, heat, and decreased movement of the joints.

Homeopathy offers a highly commendable and side-effect-free treatment for cases of joint pains. As joint pains can arise from different causes like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, etc, homeopathy gives excellent relief by treating the root cause. Homeopathic medicines help to relieve joint pain along with managing other associated signs and symptoms like stiffness, swelling, redness, and heat in joints. These medicines aim to halt further inflammation of joints as well as prevent further joint damage. Homeopathic medicines not only work to provide relief in joint pains but also aim to cure the condition in the long run. In conventional treatment painkillers, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs), and steroids are used as per the case demands. These medicines may have side effects from long-term use and may create dependency.

Homeopathy is effective for acute/chronic joint pain

Be it acute or chronic joint pain, homeopathy gives equally good results in both. It provides prompt relief in joint pains and its attending symptoms. In chronic cases, it reduces the frequency and the intensity of joint pain. With timely use of these medicines, the deformities and other complications related to joint pain and inflammation can also be prevented in most cases.

Symptomatic homeopathic medicine prescription

Homeopathic remedies for joint pains are selected on a symptomatic basis in every individual case. A thorough case-taking with in-depth symptom collection followed by proper evaluation is done to decide a homeopathic prescription for any case of joint pain. This individualized medication carries great scope to treat joint pains. In mild to moderate cases of joint pains, there are high chances of bringing a cure. However, in severe cases with deformities and other complications, relief of joint pain can be brought about but the damage already done to the joint cannot be reversed.

Homeopathic remedies are safe and natural

Homeopathy uses natural medicines mostly obtained from plants to treat joint pains, hence are very safe to use. These do not cause any adverse effects as they lack any type of chemicals or toxins in it. One can use these without any fear of side effects.

Homeopathy is suitable for persons of all age groups

Homeopathy suits persons of all age groups like children, adults, and the elderly. The set of homeopathic medicines for joint pain is similar for all age groups. But only the potency and the dose differ from person to person.

Top 6 Homeopathic Medicines for Joint Pains

The top six medicines for treating joint pains are Rhus Tox, Bryonia Alba, Arnica Montana, Actaea Spicata, Colchicum Autumnale and Pulsatilla.

1. Rhus Tox –  For Joint Pain Worse At Rest and Better On Movement

Rhus Tox is a physician’s first choice of prescription in cases of joint pain. It is prescribed when the joint pains are the most severe during rest and also on initial movement. However, it gets better after continuous movement. Although there are a number of other medicines that treat this symptom, no other medicine does it better than this medicine.

In patients who are in need of Rhus Tox, they complain of heat, swelling and stiffness in joints along with pain. Rhus Tox is also highly suitable to treat joint pains which are a result of overstraining, sprain and injuries.

When to use Rhus Tox?

This medicine is the best choice when joint pains are worse from rest and better from movement.

How to use Rhus Tox?

Though it can be used in both low and high potencies, initially 30C potency is good to go. Rhus Tox 30C can be taken three to four times a day as per the intensity of the symptom. Keep away from using its high potencies without consulting a homeopathic physician.

2. Bryonia Alba – For Joint Pain Worse By Movement and Better At Rest

Bryonia Alba, though placed in the second position, is just as effective as Rhus Tox, but the symptoms a person shows are different. Bryonia Alba is chiefly recommended when the pain increases by even the slightest movement and is relieved by complete rest. The joint pain may be stitching (local, sharp, sudden pain) or tearing (intense) type. Along with pain, joints can be red, hot, and swollen.

When to use Bryonia Alba?

It is indicated for cases of painful, red, swollen joints with worsening of joint pain by movement and relief by rest.

How to use Bryonia Alba?

Though it can be used in low or high power, it is mostly used in 30 C power. Bryonia 30C can be taken twice or thrice a day.

3. Arnica Montana – For Joint Pain After Injury; Overstrained Joints

Sourced from the plant ‘leopard’s bane’, it is the most prescribed medicine to manage joint pain from injury or overstrained joints. Persons needing it usually complain of sore bruised pain in joints as if beaten. They fear touching the affected joints because of intense soreness.

When to use Arnica Montana?

This medicine is apt for cases of joint pain with sore bruised pains following an injury.

How to use Arnica Montana?

It can be used in 30C potency three or four times a day initially, gradually decreasing the dose once relief sets in.

4. Actaea Spicata – For Pain In Small Joints, Especially Wrist

This natural remedy sourced from the root of the plant ‘baneberry’ is highly effective for pain in small joints, especially the wrist. The wrist becomes swollen and red with pain. It is also beneficial for relieving pain in other small joints as well, including ankles, fingers, and toes.

When to use Actaea Spicata?

It is best-indicated medicine for pain in small joints including the wrist, fingers, toes, and ankles. Pains are worse from touch and motion.

How to use Actaea Spicata?

One may use this medicine in 30C potency, once or twice a day for good results.

5. Colchicum Autumnale – For Joint Pain Caused By Gout

It is one of the best remedies for treating joint pain due to gout (joint Inflammation from high uric acid levels). It can be given to treat pain in any joint, but mostly helps if there is pain in the big toe due to high uric acid. There is unbearable pain if touched and the pain aggravates in the evening.

When to use Colchicum Autumnale?

Use of this medicine may be considered in cases of joint pains occurring from increased uric acid levels (gout).

How to use Colchicum Autumnale?

It may be used in 30 C potency once or twice a day.

6. Pulsatilla – For Shifting Type Of Joint Pains

Pulsatilla is a highly suitable medicine for managing shifting types of joint pains. In cases needing this medicine, the pain keeps moving from one joint to another quite rapidly. The joints feel beaten and are red and swollen too. There is worsening of pain from movement and also at night time.

When to use Pulsatilla?

Its use is highly suggested to manage shifting type of joint pains when pain keeps shifting from one joint to another quickly.

How to use Pulsatilla?

This medicine can be used in 30C potency once a day. Avoid using its high potencies without the doctor’s recommendation.

Note: You may take any of these medicines for 3 to 4 weeks’ time. To use it beyond that or to use it in potencies higher than above-recommended potencies, consult a homeopath.

What Causes Joint Pains?

Joint pains can occur due to various reasons as summed below:

1. Rheumatoid arthritis

It is an auto-immune disorder that causes pain, stiffness, swelling and decreased movement of the joint. An auto-immune disorder means damage to the body’s own healthy tissues by the immune cells out of a misdirected response. In rheumatoid arthritis, the lining of the joints is affected which can slowly lead to bone erosion and deformity. This disease tends to involve small joints (fingers in the majority of the cases) on both sides initially, and large joints may get affected with time. Joint deformity can appear in later stages. Primarily, it affects joints but later on can also affect other organs like eyes, lungs, heart, and skin as well. The most important symptom is stiffness in the joints on waking up in the morning lasting for an hour after which it gradually eases. Other symptoms are pain, swelling, warmth, and tenderness in joints.

2. Osteoarthritis

It causes degeneration of the joints that occurs from wear and tear of the protective cartilage present at the end of the bones. Cartilage covers the surface of bones where they meet to form a joint. The cartilage in joints functions to allow smooth gliding movement of bones as the joint straightens or bends. Osteoarthritis mainly affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine. The symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain in joints, stiffness, swelling and tenderness at the joint, grating sensation when the affected joint moves, and decreased movement of the joint. Bone spurs (extra tiny outgrowth of bones over the end of bones) may form around affected joints.

3. Gout

It refers to the inflammation of joints that arises due to the accumulation of urate crystals in joints when uric acid levels increase in blood. It results in swelling, pain, redness and tenderness of joints, especially the big toe.

4. Injuryis also a common cause of joint pain. It can result from overuse of the affected joint, overstrained joint, sprains (caused by overstretching or tearing of ligaments that connect two bones in a joint), or fracture.

5. Ankylosing spondylitis

It is a type of arthritis (joint inflammation) affecting the joints of the spine. The most common joint involved in it is the sacroiliac joint (joint between the base of spine and pelvis). The main symptoms are pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips. The pain is worse in the early morning and after periods of inactivity.

6. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

It is a type of arthritis that affects children under the age of 16 years. It causes joint pain, stiffness and swelling, and in some cases fever and rash on the trunk (any part of the body excluding limbs, neck, face, and head)

7. Bursitis

It refers to inflammation of the bursa (small fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, muscles, and tendons near joints). It mostly affects the shoulders, hips, elbows and knees. It causes pain in the joint (pain worsens from pressure or movement), stiffness of joint and swelling, and redness over the joint.

8. Tendinitis

It means inflammation of tendons (bands that connect bones and muscles). It mainly happens from overuse and mostly affects heels, elbows and shoulders.

9. Avascular necrosis (AVN)

It refers to dead bone tissue resulting from a lack of blood supply. Though anyone can be affected by it, excessive use of steroids in high doses over a long time and excessive alcohol intake puts a person at risk. Though it can affect any bone, the head of the femur (a bone in the thigh) is the most commonly involved bone. In the early stage of AVN (Avascular necrosis), no symptoms may appear. As AVN progresses to further stages, pain in the affected joint begins usually on putting weight on it, later the pain may be even felt on lying down.

What Are The Symptoms?

Along with pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joint. A grating sensation (harsh sound) on the movement of the joint may be felt at times. The affected joint may be sore from the inside and tender to touch from the outside which restricts the movement of the joint. This can lead to chronic joint deformities. If any kind of joint pain becomes severe, day-to-day activities get hindered. Due to joint pains, like rheumatoid arthritis, other organs like eyes, kidneys, and heart can also get affected and lead to complications.

Who is at risk?

Though joint pains can affect anyone, some factors increase the risk:

A person with a family history of joint pains is at high risk

Injury to any joint

Overuse of joints

Obesity

How to diagnose the cause of joint pains?

To diagnose the cause behind joint pains a detailed medical history, and physical examination followed by investigations are required. The investigations suggested include blood tests and imaging techniques varying from case to case as per the suspected cause. Among these initially, some blood tests are recommended. These include ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and CRP (C-reactive protein) both of which check for the intensity of inflammation, some tests to rule autoimmune disorders that might cause joint pain like rheumatoid factor, Anti CCp (anti-citrullinated protein antibody), ANA (antinuclear antibodies) test and also uric acid test (to check for gout).  Imaging techniques like X-ray of joint, MRI, and CT scan might be recommended afterward as per the case needs.