Homeopathic Remedies For Inflammation Of Joints In Body

Osteoarthritis, the most common cause of joint inflammation, affected nearly 27 million Americans as of 2010, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that can also cause joint inflammation, affected another 1.3 million, according to the foundation. Homeopathic remedies, usually individualized based on a patient's symptoms and overall health, have been shown to provide relief from the joint pain and stiffness of both forms of arthritis. Always consult a physician before adopting new courses of treatment for any ailment.

Gout

Gout, a common form of arthritis, triggers extreme pain when uric acid crystals build up in a joint; it is seen most often in the joints of the big toe, ankles, elbows, fingers, insteps, knees, and wrists. Website Hpathy, which contains a collection of homeopathy-related resources, recommends the use of colchicum in cases where swelling is present, skin is either red or pale, pain seems to shift from joint to joint, and the patient experiences extreme tenderness to the touch. Other homeopathic remedies for gout include arnica and aconite, according to Hpathy. The former is indicated when the gout is centered in a big toe, causing redness and swelling, and when pain worsens toward evening. Aconite can also be useful in treating gout that targets the joints of the feet and toes, and should be taken to relieve symptoms of an acute attack --- though it's of little value as a preventive measure.

Osteoarthritis

Asa Hershoff, a naturopathic doctor and chiropractor who specializes in homeopathic medicine, emphasizes that remedies vary depending on whether the episode of arthritis is acute, subacute, or chronic. In "Homeopathic Remedies," Hershoff recommends using belladonna, or nightshade, to treat acute attacks of sudden and intense onset where the joint area is hot, bright red, swollen, throbbing, and tender. In such cases the joint pain is usually accompanied by eye inflammation, headache, throbbing pulse, and/or fever, and the pain is worse at night, when touched or moved but better after rest.

For subacute or chronic arthritis, the pain of which is generally less severe than in an acute attack, Hershoff suggests treatment with causticum, also known as potassium hydrate. This remedy is particularly helpful when the symptoms include stiffness, joint deformity, restlessness, weak and/or atrophied muscles, numbness, and cramps. These symptoms usually worsen at night, when the affected joint is exposed to cold, dry wind, or is moved, while they generally improve in damp weather and when exposed to heat.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Although rheumatoid arthritis involves more than inflammation of the joints, that symptom of the disease can be relieved through the use of homeopathic remedies. In "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Homeopathy," author David Sollars recounts a case handled by longtime homeopathic practitioner Savitri Clarke. Her patient, a 13-year-old boy who was slightly overweight, had symptoms of stiffness consistent with a diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. After examining the boy and reviewing possible remedies, Clarke decided to treat him with calcarea carbonica, the homeopathic form of calcium carbonate. Her decision is based on some of the boy's specific symptoms and behavior, namely a worsening of joint pain after rest, an easing of the pain when exposed to heat, a history of ear infections, and his use of levity to ease his social anxiety. Over a period of several months, the boy's symptoms of joint pain disappeared completely.