Natural Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating disease that has become much more common in our society than previously recognized, especially in women. While it is not understood exactly why rheumatoid arthritis occurs, it is currently categorized as an autoimmune disease. This means that the immune system in those with RA somehow begins to recognize the normal tissues in and around specific joints as foreign objects and mounts an immune response against them, causing an extreme inflammatory reaction in the area. This inflammation causes damage to the tissues and joints which leads to swelling, pain, and loss of joint motion.
While the conventional treatment for RA is focused on decreasing the inflammation and suppressing the immune system, current medications can cause serious side effects and may not improve the condition. Fortunately, through naturopathic medicine and acupuncture, relief can be found for patients with RA at all stages of the disease. Approaches to treating RA through naturopathic medicine and acupuncture focus on trying to find the cause of the immune system’s reaction and stopping it at that level. There are also many anti-inflammatory treatments that have fewer side effects than their conventional counterparts. Here are a few natural tips for managing rheumatoid arthritis.
Dietary Modifications
People with rheumatoid arthritis (and many other autoimmune conditions) often benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet. This type of diet avoids foods that are known to increase inflammatory markers in the body, such as meat, saturated fat, refined carbohydrates and sugar. It also focuses on increasing foods that are known to be anti-inflammatory, such as organic whole foods, vegetables, and fruits. Vegetarian and vegan diets have also been shown to lead to symptom improvements in those with RA.
Avoiding Food Allergies
Food allergies, or food sensitivities, are often common in those with autoimmune diseases. Often, immune responses triggered by particular foods send signals to the immune system that change its behavior and increase inflammatory reactions in the body. Food allergies can be difficult to identify; often, complete avoidance of those foods for a significant amount of time can help inflammation decrease and joints heal. There are specific food allergy tests that can be done by some doctors, especially naturopathic physicians, that can help to pinpoint certain reactions to particular foods.
Nutritional Supplements
Most nutritional supplements that are used for rheumatoid arthritis include anti-inflammatory or antioxidant supplements that decrease inflammation. Evening primrose, black currant and borage oils have been shown to improve symptoms in those with RA. Similar to the above oils, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil and flax seed oil also exert an anti-inflammatory effect in RA sufferers. Some studies have shown that blood and tissue samples from RA patients show that they are more likely to be deficient in many nutrients, including magnesium, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, zinc and selenium. These vitamins and minerals may also be helpful in improving treatment outcome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Botanical Medicine
Similar to the nutritional supplements, there are several botanical herbs that can help decrease inflammation and improve symptoms in this population. Curcuma longa (turmeric) is often the main herb used for joint inflammation and swelling. It has been found to be as effective as cortisone in models of reducing acute inflammation. Bromelain, a mixture of enzymes found in pineapple, can also be beneficial for RA symptoms. Bromelain is very anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory and has been found useful for many different joint conditions.
Exercise
While exercise can be difficult for those with advanced disease, it can be beneficial for all stages of rheumatoid arthritis and should be implemented as early as possible. Exercise increases blood flow to the joints to help healing, while decreasing systemic inflammation commonly found in those with RA. Those with advanced disease should begin with passive range-of-motion exercises and gradually increase to active range-of-motion exercises. Exercise that is often beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis includes yoga, pilates, walking, and swimming. Exercise should be done every day to get maximum benefit.
While rheumatoid arthritis can be very debilitating for those with the condition, alternative medicine can provide extensive treatment and symptom-reduction for the disease. At Aria Integrative Medicine, we have a special focus in treating autoimmune diseases such as RA, and our doctors are experienced in finding treatments that are tailored for each individual. If you have questions about treatment for your condition, or about special lab testing performed at our clinic, call our office today!
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