Homeopathy shows remarkable results in mild to moderate cases of rheumatoid arthritis. However, in severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis with advanced deformities, Homeopathy helps manage the symptoms. Homeopathic medicines for rheumatoid arthritis help manage pain and stiffness in joints, but the deformities cannot be reversed.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder causing joint inflammation with pain, swelling and stiffness of joints. These symptoms usually begin from small joints of 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. It is an autoimmune disorder which means that the body’s own defence cells start to destroy own healthy tissues. In rheumatoid arthritis the immune cells cause inflammation leading to destruction of the joints. It primarily affects joints but can also affect other organs like eyes, skin, lungs, heart etc. If not treated well in time then it progresses and can cause joint deformity and lead to disability. This disease has a strong genetic basis and tends to run in families.
What are its symptoms?
Joint symptoms – 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.
Diagnostic criteria:
The diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis is as follows:
Any four among the following must be present to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis:
1.Arthritis of multiple joint (3 – 4 different joints or more than that) for a period of more than 6 weeks
2.Morning stiffness that last longer than 30 minutes
3.Symmetrical involvement of the same joints on both sides of the body
4.Arthritis of wrists, hands or finger joints
5.Development of rheumatoid nodules under the skin
6.Positive serum rheumatoid factor
7.Radiographic changes suggesting joint erosion
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.
Manifestations in body parts other than joints.
– Eyes: Here it can lead to cataract (clouding of clear lens), dry eyes and scleritis (inflammation / redness in the white part of eye)
– Lungs: Inflammation, scar tissue, fibrosis can arise in lungs
– Skin: Rheumatoid nodules can form here. These refer to hard bumps under the skin. They are not painful and move easily on being touched. They mostly form especially on the elbows. They can also form in lungs and heart in later stages.
– Kidneys: Here it may lead to amyloidosis (disease arising from build up of an abnormal protein called amyloid in any tissue or organ).
– Heart: it can lead to inflammation of lining of heart (pericarditis), inflammation of heart muscle (myocarditis) and increase risk of cardiovascular disease (narrowing or blockage of blood vessels supplying heart that can lead to a chest
– Nerve tissue: here it can cause peripheral neuropathy (damage to the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord that causes weakness, numbness and pain, mainly in hands and feet) and carpal tunnel syndrome (pain, numbness, tingling in fingers from compression of the median nerve).
– Blood vessels: these may get inflamed and there may be formation of atheromatous plaques (accumulation of hard material in inner layer of artery wall) which includes lipids and calcium. It tends to narrow artery and hinders in blood flow
– Blood: It may lead to anaemia here
– liver: is very rarely affected
– it can weakens immune system and make a person prone to infections
– on muscles it can lead to muscle weakness
– it can affect mucous membrane and lead to Sjogren’s Syndrome (syndrome mainly characterised by dry eyes and dry mouth).
What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis and what are the risk factors
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.
Pathophysiology of Rheumatoid Arthritis
It is an autoimmune disease. Interplay between genetic susceptibility (people having certain genes human leucocyte antigen HLA – DR1 and HLA – DR4 are susceptible to this disease) and environmental factors (such as smoking) are thought to trigger the autoimmune process here.
In rheumatoid arthritis , the immune cells attacks the synovial lining of the synovial membranes surrounding the joints and cause its inflammation and thickening. It may further lead to destruction of cartilage and bone .
Homeopathic treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated naturally with homeopathic medicines. These medicines helps to reduce inflammation of the joints by moderating the immune system. They also help to slow down further progression of the disease. The pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints are also relieved wonderfully with them. The joint damage and joint deformity though can’t be cured but can be symptomatically managed with homeopathic medicines. These medicines are of natural origin thus are safe to use among people of all age groups.
Commonly used medicines to treat it
Rhus Tox – To relieve stiffness and pain in joints
Rhus Tox helps to relieve joint pains and stiffness by reducing the joint inflammation. Persons needing it mainly have joint stiffness worse in the morning and also after a period of inactivity. Warm applications and motion of affected joint helps to relieve their symptoms. Massaging the joint also offer relief in them.
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.
Bryonia – For red, hot , swollen joints
Bryonia is helpful for cases where joints are red, hot and swollen. With this 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.
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.
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.
Caulophyllum – For small joints
Caulophyllum is also used for treating arthritis that affect 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 other . In some case nodes are present on finger joints.
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.
Stellaria Media – for pains in almost all the joints
Stellaria Media is indicated for cases where for pains is felt in almost all the joints. The joints are sore to touch. Stiffness is also there in the joints. Sometimes the pain shifts from one joint to another.
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.
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.
Colchicum – For pain that worsens from touch
Persons having joint pain that worsens from touch are highly benefited with this medicine. Along with this they have heat and stiffness in the joints. The joints mainly involved where it is indicated are wrist, ankle, finger sand toes. Most times the pain are worse at night time in them. It is also used in management of cases where finger joints are highly damaged and distorted.
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.
Pulsatilla – For shifting pain
Pulsatilla is highly recommended medicine to treat shifting pains in joints. . The pain keeps on shifting. The affected joints are swollen and red. It is also indicated for joint pain in wet weather.
Causticum and Guaiacum – for managing cases with joint deformity
Causticum and Guaiacum both are excellent medicines to manage advanced cases having joint deformity. Though these medicines can’t reverse the joint damage and deformity. But they can help to reduce pain and stiffness in joints. They also help to manage swelling in the affected joints.
Some other rare medicines to treat cases of rheumatoid arthritis
Apart from above commonly used medicine some other rare medicines to treat cases of rheumatoid arthritis include Lithium Carb, Ruta, Salicylic Acid, Calcarea Phos, Ferrum Met, Lactic acid and Natrum Sulph. The key symptoms to use these medicines are as follows.
Lithium Carb : Pain, swelling and tenderness in small joints. Relief in joint pain from hot applications. Node formation of joints.
Ruta: Stiffness and pain in feet and hand joints. Node formation on wrist joint.
Salicylic Acid: joint pain worsen from touch and motion. Shifting pains in joints.
Calcarea Phos: For joint pain worsening in cold weather
Ferrum Met: to treat anaemia with joint inflammation
Lactic acid: joint pains with excessive weakness
Natrum Sulph: Joint pain in damp, cold weather
J am having bursitis kin both knee dueto injury 2 years back and little symptoms of arthritis also . I am also having pain in all my joints including spine which is better by physiotherapy and dithermy. What would you suggest.
wonderful work by u dr commendable srvices rendered by u for doctors we love ur work be moreand more on incurable diseases experience sir
Suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis, since 10Yrs
Pls send your clinic add. n contact number..
Crp and esr blood level are high which medicine taken for pain relief and normal the blood report.
I am aged72 weight 23 kg female rh factor 140 and having cold and rhomotoied arthritis and throat cold is there. Please suggest medicine
Dear sir
I’m 28 years old I am suffering from arthritis in right knee and ankle with swollen please prescribe me about medicine
Sir My blood test results show ESR 75. I had joint replacement before 5 months small lumps get developed near knee joint.please suggest medicine
I have high ASO level of 300 and various small nodules under my skin and heart Mild MR.please suggest homeopathic medicine to bring down my ASO level to normal and for heart condition too
Please do you have a location in Washington state?
Inflammation and pain in wrist and ankle joint since 2year after chicken
guinea so you pls give a medicine name
Dear Doctor.
I am Rizwana Begum, aged 27 years, resident of Bangalore, Karnataka. I am suffering from jointd pains since 3 years and also having hypothyroidism. I have underwent all the investigations relates to immunology as well rhematology the investigation shows all the results normal except ANA positive with higherCRP and ESR levels. due to the higher level of CRP and ESR my life became hell. Please kindly help me to come out from this problem permanently as I don’t want to take allopathic medicines due to future complications.
Regards
Rizwana Begum
I am suffering from severe knee joint pain. From above text it appears that Kali Carb will be the best medicine(knee pain in climbing stairs). Pls suggest me the dosage and power of the Kali Carb. Thanks.
Good Morning
It is interesting to read this valuable guidelines. My CRP is 14 for few years and now 8.4. but my anti CCP test is negative 5.0 . My body fat is also high for which no amount of exercise and diet works. hard constipation loud sound gas expulsion frequently . recently i had traumatic injury 5 months ago under going physiotherapy
i am taking rubinia and carbo vege for gas, arnica 200 for one month. there is mild difference. to my understanding for chronic cases in age of 60 the dose / medicine is ver mild
pls guide
anjana agarwal
Dear Dr.
My wife aged 61 years has alternating but diagonal
pain in right upper arm and left knee.These pains don’t occur simultaneously but alternate.
When there is pain in right arm, then there is no pain in left knee.And when pain shifts to left knee, then there is no pain in right upper arm.
i.e. pains alternate and that also diagonall
Is there any medicine in homoeopathy?
Pains from one part to another.
Any part of the body.
Superficial pains.
With muscle twitching especially buttock.
No swelling.no redness.
Loose sticky motion every monday.
Sir, I am 32 years old and suffering from RA. Can you please suggest me homeopathic treatment for the same.
I am 60 yrs suffering mostly gas & digestive problem under treatment of Homeo.Dr.A month ago for upward gas he gave Carvo Veg after three weeks taking I get some relief but another problem arise.Right Hip joint pain.It starts from evening something something but bearable.After mid night pain become so aggravated I lost my sleep every day about a week.Lying position & sitting position is then trouble but walking is soothing. Pain continue up to 10 A.M. All day I feel well. My sugar & B.P. Level going up from normal.Pl.suggest me.Thanks.
I have small joint pain (wrists and fingers) and am currently on methotrexate. I have improved slightly but not as much as I would like to see. Is it possible to combine my methotrexate medication with the actaea spicata medicine to improve joint swelling?
I have Zero negative inflammatory RA, my current treatment is methotrexate and remicade every six weeks. I cannot have my treatment if I have any sign of infection. So due to infection I have not been treated for almost 10 weeks. AS you can imagine, my hands, shoulders, knees, have been very sore and stiff.
I was hoping you can recommend an alternative homeopathy treatment for me to reduce inflammation and
other symptoms.
In allopathy same biologics injection are given for rheumatoid arthritis and crohn’s.disese.both are auto immune disease.what medicines are you recommend for crowns disease.