Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is chronic, inflammatory, destructive and deforming variety of arthritis that affects many joints (especially the small joints of the fingers and the toes) at the same time.

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis victimises young persons, especially females.

Homeopathic Treatment

Check if most symptoms of any of these remedies match with most of your symptoms:

Actea spicata 30 : Rheumatoid arthritis affecting small joints (of fingers/toes, wrists, ankles). Even mild exertion causes an increase in the pain and swelling.

Bryonia 30 : Rheumatism with red, swollen and hot joints which are exceedingly painful. Joint-pains get aggravated with slightest motion, forcing the patient to keep still. Hot weather, warm room, warm foods/drinks also worsen joint-pains. The person feels better by absolute rest, firmly bandaging the joint, pressing (massaging) the joint or by lying on the affected joint.

Calc phos 30 : Besides pain and stiffness, there is a sensation of numbness and crawling in the affected joints. Symptoms are worse in damp, cold weather but better in hot, dry weather.

Causticum 30 : Advanced rheumatoid arthritis with deformities of the fingers. Joint-problems are worse in clear, fine weather but better in damp, wet weather.

Colchicum 30 : Rheumatoid arthritis that moves from one joint to another (compare Pulsatilla). Pain is so severe that the patient can't bear even light touch. Joint-pains are worse by slightest motion (like Bryonia), at night and in cold, damp weather, but better by rest and warmth (dry heat).

Pulsatilla 30 : Rheumatoid arthritis that moves from one joint to another (like Colchicum). Pain, accompanied by severe chilliness, is aggravated by heat-treatment and rest (unlike Colchicum) but ameliorated by cold applications, pressure (massage), lying on the affected joint and gentle continued motion.

Rhododendron 30 : Rheumatoid arthritis characterised by acute inflammatory swelling of joints, wandering from one joint to another (like Colchicum, Pulsatilla). Joint-pains are worse by rest and from changes in weather but better by motion and application of dry heat.

Rhus tox 30 : Rheumatoid arthritis characterised by stiffness, pain and a feeling of soreness in the affected joints. Pain and stiffness are worse after rest (inactivity) but gradually diminish on moving the joints. Symptoms are worse in rainy weather but improve by application of dry heat.

Ruta 30 : For sore, beaten up feeling in the affected joints, giving rise to restlessness (like Rhus tox). Joint-pains are worse from rest but better by gentle movements (not exertion); warm applications and massage also help in relieving pains.

Summary of indications:

Joint-pains and stiffness:

• Better by rest: Actea spicata, Bryonia, Colchicum
• Better by movements: Pulsatilla, Rhododendron, Rhus tox, Ruta
• Better by heat treatment: Calc phos, Colchicum, Rhododendron, Rhus tox, Ruta
• Better by cold applications: Pulsatilla
• Better by massage / pressure: Bryonia, Pulsatilla, Ruta

Notes:

1. Discontinue the medicine as soon as about fifty percent improvement has occurred. Restart the medicine if symptoms worsen again or reappear later.
2. If none of the above-listed medicines seems matching or if no improvement occurs even after taking ten doses of the selected medicine, consult a competent homoeopathic doctor.