1. Standard Drug Therapy
The standard medical approach to treating rheumatoid arthritis involves the use of immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drugs. While these pharmaceuticals may help manage the pain and control the inflammatory process, they do not correct or cure the underlying condition, or halt the progression the disease.
The safest of these medications include common aspirin and the so-called NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). NSAIDS include Ibuprofen, Acetominophen, Salicylates, Indomethacin and Naproxen -- all of which have specific drawbacks, including side effects like ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, headaches, dizziness, nausea and/or stomach pain.
Corticosteroids and gold compounds are among the immuno-suppressive therapies that suppress the body's immune system and thereby reduce the immune-driven inflammation of the joint connective tissue. While this is sometimes necessary to preserve function, it can also have grave consequences and side efects while only palliating the symptoms and offering no real nourishing or rebuilding.
2. Search for What Is Triggering the Inappropriate Immune Response
Since rheumatoid arthritis is classified as an autoimmune disorder -- meaning an inappropriate immune response directed at the body's own tissues -- alternative medicine practitioners will often make a concerted effort to locate any underlying reason for the auto-immune hyper-reactivity. In some cases, poor digestion and allergies to food may allow substances into the bloodstream that the body treats as infectious, mounting an immune response. In other circumstances, heavy metals, pesticides or environmental chemicals may be the offenders; the body produces antibodies and immune molecules that cross-react with the joint tissue. Rather than merely suppressing the inappropriate immune response with drugs, some physicians prefer to look for and treat the cause wherever possible. Optimizing diet and nutrition, eliminating food chemicals and common allergens, avoiding all possible chemicals and environmental toxins, and attempting detoxification are all recommended.
3. Herbal Alternatives to NSAIDS and Steroids
Herbal medicines can be very valuable in managing the pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis and helping to avoid the harmful NSAIDs and steroidal drugs. The Tumeric spice (Curcuma longa) is both an anti-inflammatory and effective in helping the liver eliminate wastes and toxins from the bloodstream. Boswellia, a relative of the frankincense plant, is high in a gummy resin that is noted to reduce inflammation, particularly in the bones, tendons and joints. Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum) is another option. This plant has historically been used to relieve arthritic pain, and modern research has noted its ability to reduce inflammatory mediators in a manner similar to that of the pharmaceutical drugs, but without the side effects or concerns over long-term use. Ginger (Zingiber) is another all-purpose anti-inflammatory that can be purchased as teas, included in nutritional teas, prepared as an herbal tea, or taken as a tincture. And Bromelain, an anti-inflammatory derived from pineapple fruits, is effective in taking the edge off the pain. A skilled herbalist can prepare a formula containing all these herbs, and there are some commercial products on the market that combine Curcuma and Bromelain.
