Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints in the body. The wrists, fingers and feet are the most commonly affected areas. While there are many conventional medical treatments available for the symptoms of RA, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that there are numerous choices for complementary alternative medicine (CAM) treatments.
Approvals
New cures that tout their arthritis healing powers come to the market regularly. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine advises patients to approach new fad treatments with care and to stick with treatments that have undergone scientific studies and been proven effective. Testimonials and anecdotes, while convincing, are not valid proof of a treatment's efficacy.
Benefits
Many arthritis sufferers turn to alternative medicine for arthritis relief because the conventional treatment they've been receiving is not working. Most alternative methods of treating RA do not produce the same level of side effects as conventional medicines. Since RA is a chronic disease, the idea of taking medication for life is highly disturbing to many people who look for lifestyle changes and natural products to treat their symptoms.
Fish Oil
There have been a number of studies, reports the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, that have shown the effectiveness of fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids in treating arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. While fish oil supplements can help reduce the swelling associated with RA, there are side effects of which consumers should be aware. They can increase bleeding and should be avoided by people who take blood pressure medicine or are having surgery. While high levels of fish liver oil can be toxic, the center reports that low doses of fish oil produce few harmful side effects.
Acupuncture
Wide studies have been done involving the use of acupuncture for treatment of osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease. While smaller studies show minimal relief for RA sufferers, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine says that because there are so few side effects from acupuncture it is a safe choice for treatment. The main issue to watch for when choosing an acupuncturist is to inspect closely the sanitary conditions under which the treatment is provided.The primary danger in acupuncture treatment is infection from dirty needles.
Mind-Body Therapy
Numerous studies support the use of mind control over the pain and discomfort caused by arthritis and other diseases. Mind-body therapies proven to be most effective include spirituality, when patients find comfort and hope in a higher power to alleviate painful symptoms, and relaxation techniques that help patients' overall psychological state of mind and allows them to develop better coping mechanisms. Traditional Chinese treatments such as tai chi teach patients various postures that help control breathing, develop better balance and slow down enough to meditate. A study reported by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine concluded that tai chi was helpful in reducing frailty and improving the immune systems of older adults.
