Homoeopathy treats arthritis is a degenerative disorder of the joints. The treatment is based on the individual’s nature of symptoms, personality, sensitivities and emotions.
OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA)
OA is the most common form of arthritis. It affects millions of people worldwide. The disorder is marked by degenerative changes in the knee, hip, hand, elbow, ankle or spine. OA can be hereditary. Obesity is a risk factor for OA.
SYMPTOMS
- Pain in the affected joints.
- Pain is usually made worse by moving the joint or placing weight on it. When the disorder progresses and inflammation develops, pain may become constant.
- Stiffness of the affected joint is frequently noticed first thing in the morning and after resting.
- The arthritic joint tends to swell and can sometimes be warm to the touch.
- Deformity can occur with OA due to bone growth and cartilage loss.
- Crepitus, a crackling sound, or grating feeling, may be noticed when an arthritic joint is moved. This is a result of the bone rubbing against bone or ‘roughened’ cartilage.
OA is characterised by loss of cartilage and joint degeneration. It appears to be common in 40-45 year old men and 45-year-old women.
OA robs you of your basic ability to get fully engaged in day-to-day activities. When it escalates, it may confine you to the bed for days at a stretch.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA)
RA is an autoimmune joint disorder which causes the immune system to mistakenly attack joints and surrounding tissues, which progresses to assault other systems and organs of the body, including the heart.
SYMPTOMS
- Symmetric joint pains usually affects more than five joints at a time — the small joints of the hands and feet, wrists, ankles, elbows, knees and shoulders. The muscles, tendons and ligaments surrounding the joints may also be affected.
- Morning stiffness which can last for a few hours.
- Marked swelling of the joints with pain, heat, redness and limited mobility.
- Joint pains which get better with rest and worse with movement.
- Fatigue, fever and weight loss.
RA tends to affect women more than men. Although no age group is exempt, the disorder appears to peak between the ages of 35 to 55 in women and 40 to 60 in men. The disorder can impinge on major tissues in the body, including the lymph nodes, bone marrow, liver, spleen, kidneys, digestive system, heart, eyes, muscles and nerves. When not appropriately or adequately treated, RA can gradually lead to bone, cartilage and ligament damage, including joint deformity.
Juvenile RA affects children below the age of 16 so if your child has joint pain, swelling and stiffness, consult your doctor and start treatment immediately.
HEALING WITH HOMEOPATHY
Homoeopathy not only relieves joint pain, safely and effectively, but also improves one’s overall wellness.
Homeopathy Case Study
Roma, a frail 40-year-old housewife, was diagnosed with osteoarthritis by her orthopaedic surgeon. No amount of medication (primarily painkillers) provided her with tangible, long term relief. When we probed into her life, we realized that she had a traumatic past with recurrent abortions and was now a mother of three children. This was sapping her energy and making her extremely ill-tempered. Based on these symptoms and her skinny physique, we prescribed a homeopathic remedy, Sepia Officinalis, along with regular hot and cold fomentation and exercise. This helped her slowly stand on her feet. It also restored harmony back in her family life.
SELF-HELP
- Eat a well balanced diet with high-fibre food such as flaxseed.
- Try to maintain a healthy weight.
- Regular exercise helps strengthen the quadriceps muscle and potentially stimulates cartilage growth.
- Increase intake of vitamin Cas it is said to protect and enhance cartilage formation.
- Vitamin Eis another powerful anti-oxidant that protects the joints from free radical damage and increases joint mobility.
- Essential fatty acids are necessary to produce substances that lubricate the joints. The most important is omega-3 which is found in cold water fish, flaxseed and other food sources.
By Dr Mukesh Batra, Padma Shri Recipient
LCEH, FSRH [MED] P [LOND], MDH [USA], FBIH [UK]
