Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Complementary Medicine:

Aromatherapy

To help reduce inflammation, try drinking ginger-castor oil tea daily at bedtime.

Chiropractic

Although chiropractic cannot do a lot to turn back the clock, it can prevent progression of the disease. Specific chiro practic adjustment (SCA) can help patients with rheumatoid arthritis by increasing joint flexibility, decreasing swelling in the joint areas and joint capsules, and decreasing fluid accumulation that results from arthritic changes. For example, if the patient's hands are affected, care includes SCA of the affected joints, moist heat application, and hot water soaks with Epsom salts to promote mobility. In some cases, care may include paraffin (hot wax) baths.

Herbal Therapy

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis have many similarities, including herbal remedies. However, there are some subtle variations. For rheumatoid arthritis, take a combination tincture of meadowsweet, willow bark, black cohosh, prickly ash, celery seed, nettle' wild yam, and valerian to help temper arthritis symptoms. To make the blend, mix equal amounts of the tinctures; take 1 teaspoonful of the mixture 3 times daily. The blend is safe and can be taken for a period of time. (See also "Osteoarthritis" entry.)

Herbal products are available in health food stores and in some pharmacies and supermarkets. Follow package for specific directions.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture To treat rheumatoid arthritis, which commonly affects the wrists, knees, shoulders, ankles, and elbows-acupuncturists may focus on the heart, kidney, back of head, and internal secretion points. They may also target any points that are associated with the afflicted joint.

To help quell arthritis-related foot pain, the practitioner may manipulate Liver 2, Kidney 3, Bladder 60, Liver 3, Stomach 44, and several points on the ear. Arthritic ankle pain is often treated by inserting needles into Stomach 41, Bladder 60, Gallbladder 40, and additional auricular points.

AcupressureFor rheumatism-related ankle pain, a practitioner will probably target two points: Large Intestine 4 (in the webbing of the hand between the thumb and forefinger) and Bladder 60 (in the depression behind the outside ankle bone). Several points on the foot and on the ankle itself also may be targeted.

Elbow pain may be relieved by massaging LI 11 (toward the outside of the elbow); knee pain will be helped by manipulating several points on and around the knee itself; shoulder pain is best helped by performing acupressure on several points, including Large Intestine 15 and Gallbladder 21; while wrist pain is alleviated by applying pressure to several acupoints on the wrist. In addition, ear acupuncture may be used to help further relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Generalized joint pain may be relieved by pressing the two Gallbladder 20 points on the back of the neck.

Chinese Herbal TherapyThere are many Chinese herbal arthritis formulas available at health food stores or by mail order, such as Angelica and Loranthes Combination for lower back and knee pain; Xiao Huo Luo Dan for stiff joints; Feng Shih Hsiao Thng Wan for finger, shoulder, knee, and hip pain associated with rheumatism; and Tian Ma Wan for general rheumatic pain.

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Complementary Therapy For All

Complementary Medicine:

The amount of people using complementary therapies has seen a dramatic increase in recent years. There are many reasons for this increase, and many reasons to believe that the increase is a trend that is set to continue.

The motivation to use complementary therapies can be broadly categorized into those seeking a remedy for a particular ailment or condition, and those who desire to use therapies to promote personal well being.

Traditionally, complementary therapy could be defined as the use of therapies in addition to those that a local GP was able to prescribe and refer clients to.

Today, this definition is outdated and has changed. In recent years more and more complementary therapies have become available through the NHS and the prescription of these therapies is becoming more common-place. When considering the use of therapies widely accepted and prescribed by local GPs, the definition of Complementary really is one of Therapies that go together with, accompany and complement conventional medicine.

Acceptance and Recognition

This recognition of many individual therapies by the National Health Service has helped to promote them and their acceptance in the public eye. There is a growing recognition both within the medical profession and in the minds of the public that Complementary Therapies have a role to play in our healthcare. This growing acceptance goes hand in hand with the increase in popularity of using Complementary Therapies, which in turn has helped to remove many of the unwarranted stigmas attached to using alternative forms of medical practice.

Health Service and Private Appointments

The increase in use of Complementary Therapies is only due to a small part to the NHS.

A client's desire to seek the use of Complementary Therapies is not always satisfied by the NHS. Not all GPs will prescribe Complementary Therapies as with all initial diagnosis and prescriptions what is recommended is a matter of clinical judgment. Furthermore, not all Health Trusts are structured and or funded to provide Complementary Therapies. In addition, those that have been prescribed a Complementary Therapy may as with all NHS referrals; find an appointment may involve a lengthy waiting period.

The use of private appointments to see complementary therapists is a significant area of growth and this is not just due to clients that want to avoid waiting lists.

The use of a private complementary therapist is often based on disappointment with conventional medicine and the growing acceptance and recognition that an alternative exists.

A patient may have the need to seek a remedy that wasn't found through their local health service. Many complementary therapies offer solutions which do not involve the use or perceived use of drugs or harmful treatments. Sometimes, just an alternative to the NHS experience is sought, after previous negative experiences with a local GP, surgery or the system. Sometimes an individuals opinion on health care may just be different from those of conventional medicine.

Personal Well Being

There has also been a significant increase in the use of Complementary Therapies by those who use therapies to promote general personal well being. The growing acceptance of Therapies, the removal of the stigmas attached to seeing a therapist and the general increase in personal awareness, health and wellbeing, has resulted in more and more people investing their time and disposable income in complementary therapies.

It is estimated that every year in the UK over five million people visit a Complementary Therapist. This is a figure that is destined to rise.

Shaun Parker has tried a wide variety of different alternative medicine therapies and shares his experiences to help those looking for complementary therapy.

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