Top 7 Homeopathic Medicines for Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of arthritis that may occur to people already suffering from psoriasis. Here ‘psoriatic’ refers to psoriasis which is an autoimmune skin disease where red spots form on the skin capped with silvery white scales/flakes. Arthritis means inflammation of the joints. It has been estimated that 30 per cent of the people suffering from psoriasis have a tendency to get psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis develops out of an autoimmune activity characterised by damage to the joints by immune cells (defence cells that help fight any infection in the body) by mistake, along with excessive production of skin cells. As per the recent research, high level of TNF (tumour necrosis factor) is noted in the joints and the skin area involved. Genetic and environmental (some viral or bacterial infection) factors contribute to an autoimmune response of the body which results in psoriatic arthritis. Those suffering from psoriasis, or a family history of psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis, are at high risk to suffer from psoriatic arthritis as well. People between 35- 55 age group are at risk though any group may get affected. In most cases, psoriasis begins first followed by many years by joint inflammation while in some people, the opposite happens which means arthritis psoriasis occurs before a person gets affected by psoriasis.

Homeopathic medicines offer a very natural, safe and effective treatment for psoriatic arthritis cases. Homeopathic medicines halt further progression of joint inflammation and relieve the symptoms remarkably. Homeopathic medicines effectively manage symptoms including pain, swelling and stiffness of joints and improve joint mobility. The modern system of medicine uses NSAID’s (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), DMARDs (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs), steroidal injection in the affected joints in cases of psoriatic arthritis. This offers relief but for short-term and may lead to side-effects with prolonged use. On the other hand homeopathic medicines are free from any side effects and offers long term relief.

Homeopathy moderates immune activity

The homeopathic approach in cases of psoriatic arthritis involves moderating the over activity of immune system and preventing further joint inflammation and damage. This not only relieves symptoms initially but also offers long term symptom management thus improving the quality of life and sense of general well-being. It is advised to follow a complete course of homeopathic treatment under guidance of homeopathic expert to get best results.

Medication as per characteristic symptoms

Homeopathic medicines for psoriatic arthritis are prescribed as per the presenting symptoms in every individual case. As the medicines are customised as per the case requirements it results in magnificent recovery.

Homeopathic medicines are suitable for both acute as well as chronic cases of psoriatic arthritis. It is recommended that any homeopathic medicine in case of psoriatic arthritis should be taken after case evaluation by a homeopathic physician, self-medication should be avoided.

Safe, natural medicines

Homeopathic medicines to treat psoriatic arthritis are prepared from natural substances. Hence these have zero side-effects and completely safe to use. These stimulate body’s natural healing process and helps in overcoming the disease in a very safe and natural manner. These medicines can be considered for people of any age group without any risk.

Top 7 Homeopathic Medicines For Psoriatic Arthritis

The most suitable homeopathic medicines to manage cases of Psoriatic Arthritis are Rhus Tox, Bryonia, Actaea Spicata, Guaiacum, Caulophyllum, Aesculus and Arnica.

1. Rhus Tox – Top Remedy

Rhus Tox is a top-recommended medicine to manage cases of psoriatic arthritis. It acts on the joints, and helps reduce joint pain and stiffness. It is administered when there is severity of the complaint at rest, and upon movement of the affected part. Relief sets in after continued motion and also from warm application over the affected joints. Along with above symptoms, heat and swelling are well-marked in joints. Rhus Tox is also highly recommended to manage cases of lower back pain.

When to use Rhus Tox?

This medicine is an ideal choice to manage psoriatic arthritis when joint pain gets worse at rest and better from movement.

How to use Rhus Tox?

Among its various available potencies, the most frequently used is 30C potency. In the beginning, Rhus Tox 30C can be administered two to three times a day as per severity of the complaint.

2. Bryonia – For Pain In Joints, Neck And Lower Back

Bryonia is an effective medicine for managing joint pain, neck pain or lower back pain. It is used when joint pain gets worse even after slight movement. It can be administered for any of the joints involved. Pain gets better after rest. Those who suffer from this pain have reddened joints, which are also swollen, and the affected area feels hot. Bryonia is equally effective for neck pain and lower back pain which gets worse upon movement and gets better with rest. In such cases, back pain gets worse due to standing, stooping and turning in bed besides other movements, and walking. Along with pain stiffness in neck and lower back is also felt.

When to use Bryonia?

This medicine should be administered to manage pain in joints, neck and lower back in cases of psoriatic when the pain gets worse from even the least movement and it gets better from rest.

How to use Bryonia?

This medicine can be used in both low and high potencies. However it is suggested to start with low potency like 30C once or twice a day.

3. Actaea Spicata – For Small Joint Inflammation

This medicine is best suited for treating joint inflammation in small joints. It gives magnificent results if there is pain in small joints like in the hand, wrist, fingers, ankle and toes. The joints too are swollen. There is worsening of pain from movement and touch.

When to use Actaea Spicata?

Actaea Spicata should be used for psoriatic arthritis when small joints like of wrist, fingers, hands, ankles and toes are painful along with swelling.

How to use Actaea Spicata?

This medicine can be taken once or twice a day in 30C power.

4. Guaiacum – For Neck Pain & Stiffness

This medicine works well in cases where neck joints are involved. There is marked pain in the neck. Pain may extend from the neck to the back of the head and shoulders. Also, stiffness is felt in the neck especially on one side and may go down the back on that side.

When to use Guaiacum?

Guaiacum is a top medicine to manage pain in the neck attended with stiffness in cases of psoriatic arthritis.

How to use Guaiacum?

It is advised to use Guaiacum 30C once a day.

5. Caulophyllum – For Shifting Small Joint Pains

This medicine is well known when there is shifting type of pains in small joints. For those who need it, there is pain in the joints of hands, feet, fingers, toes, ankles and wrist. The pain keeps shifting from one joint to another. It may sometimes shift from one joint to another every few minutes. The affected joints also become stiff. Along with pain, restlessness is felt at night.

When to use Caulophyllum?

Caulophyllum is a wonderful medicine for psoriatic arthritis cases when there is shifting sort of pain in small joints that keep shifting from one joint to another quickly.

How to use Caulophyllum?

Various potencies are available for this medicine among which 30C potency is highly effective and can be used once or twice a day.

6. Apis Mellifica – For Swollen, Painful Knee Joint

Use of Aesculus is considered when there is hip pain and lower back pain from the inflamed sacroiliac joint. Stiffness is also felt. Walking and stooping enhances the severity of the pain. The pain from hip can radiate down the thighs. There is a feeling as if the lower back would break along with a weak feeling in the back.

When to use Aesculus?

Aesculus is great choice of medicine to manage joint inflammation affecting sacroiliac joint from psoriatic arthritis.

How to use Aesculus?

It is recommended to use it in 30C power one to two times a day.

7. Arnica – For Sore, Tender (Pain On Touch) Joints

Arnica is a prominent medicine for cases where joints are sore and tender (painful to touch). There can be pain in any joint of the body and also the back. Its use is also highly applicable when pain begins in the joints of the lower limbs followed by upper limbs joint pain.

When to use Arnica?

This medicine works very well in cases of psoriatic arthritis when there is markedly sore and tender joints highly painful to touch.

How to use Arnica?

Arnica gives excellent results in 30C potency that can be used two to three times a day.

Signs and Symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis leads to symptoms including painful, swollen joints along with redness, heat and tenderness (pain on touch). Stiffness (worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity/rest) also occurs in the joints. There is limited movement of joints. Joint inflammation can be sudden or gradual. One or multiple joints may get affected varying from case to case. The joint involvement can be one-sided or both-sided. The joints usually affected are of the hands, feet, neck, wrist, ankle, lower back, knees and the sacroiliac joint (it is a joint between iliac crest of hip bone and sacrum which is a triangular bone at the bottom of spine). The fingers and toes can get swollen, this condition is called sausage digit or dactylitis. If left untreated, joints may get damaged permanently. Nails and eyes can also get infected in some cases. Pits may form on the nails along with crumbling of nails and their separation from the nail bed. Eye inflammation in the form of uveitis can occur. The symptoms may vanish for a brief time period. Several complications can arise that include permanent joint damage especially of hands and fingers, diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart complaints.