Arthritis

The term arthritis (from the Greek arthros, a joint, and it is, inflammation) is a generally used description for joint disease, of which there are about 200 different types.

A more appropriate name for what many people suffer would be arthrosis, in which the joint is not inflamed and may not itself be painful. This problem is also commonly called “wear and tear” and can happen to anyone over the age of about 30. Pain comes not just from the joints but more often from the tight and tender muscles associated with the worn joints, which no longer function with optimal movement.

Osteoarthritis develops with age, often where there have been old injuries or in joints that have been overused. In osteoarthritis the cartilage covering the surface of the joint breaks down and the underlying bone becomes the thickened and distorted, making movement difficult and painful. The joints most commonly involved are the hips, knees, and spine. Being overweight can make the condition worse as added strain is put on the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of immune system which occurs when the lining of the joints becomes inflamed and swollen. There are rarer forms which come from virus or bacterial infections. rheumatoid arthritis, besides affecting the joints, can also involve the skin, lymph nodes, heart, lungs, blood and nervous systems. Joint pains are combined with a low-grade fever. It affects people of all ages, although three times as many women as men get it. It is still not clear why rheumatoid arthritis develops. Blood tests show a special antibody which acts against the normal antibodies in the blood. The pain and swelling happen because the body’s white blood cells respond to this intruder by attacking the joints.

Rheumatism is a general term for muscular aches and pains that may be the forerunners of rheumatoid arthritis, or such symptoms could be due to a virus infection.

The Orthodox Approach

The first line of treatment for both types of arthritis is ordinary pain-killers, such as ibuprofen or a group of drugs, which includes aspirin, called non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (N.S.A.I.D.’s). These reduce joint inflammation and pain but the amounts used are quite large and side-effects may include irritation of the stomach and tinnitus.

In severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis more aggressive treatments with potentially severe side-effects are used.

There are also a number of mechanical treatments. Splints may be applied to prevent deformities, fluid can be drawn directly off a joint and anti-inflammatory drugs injected straight in. Physiotherapists have a program of exercises to keep joints mobile. In severe cases surgeons can replace damaged joints with artificial ones made of metal or ceramic. There are also operations to fuse joints, which relieves pain but leads to a loss of movement.

The Hale Approach

A sudden onset of joint pain needs to be taken to your doctor in case there is an infective element, which could rapidly destroy the joints. A more slowly progressive development of arthritis can be tested by certain blood tests, again through your doctor. Once a diagnosis has been made and the form of arthritis is clear and non-aggressive, then complementary treatments can be very effective and keep you drug free. If drugs are required, the complementary therapies should be used alongside them, to help the curative process as well as diminishing the side-effects of the drug treatment.

The effectiveness of complementary medicine in the treatment of arthritis varies considerably from individual to individual, from a dramatic improvement to some relief of painful symptoms.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs

The causes are wind, cold, and dampness which cause the blood and the chi energy in the body to become stuck. Needles are usually inserted near the affected area, mostly to relieve pain. Sometimes herbs are also given to relieve pain and promote circulation.

Herbal Medicine

Most cases of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis will respond to Herbal Medicine and lifestyle changes. Herbal Medicine provides gentle, safe and effective treatment largely avoiding the unwanted side effects of pharmaceutical drugs. Patients usually experience less pain and more mobility within the first month of treatment. There are no 'standard prescriptions' for particular conditions. Instead, tailor-made prescriptions are formulated to meet each patient's unique needs. Medicines are authorised by the Department of Health's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and licensed under the European Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicine.

Nutrition

Ayurveda

Ayurveda treatment will involve dietary and lifestyle advice, and panchakarma detoxification.

Osteopathy

Treatment for osteoarthritis varies according to the stage the disease has reached. In acute, recent-onset cases, the osteopath’s first job is to reduce pain through muscle manipulation and deep muscle massage to ease pressure on the affected joints. This treatment also improves blood supply to the joints as part of the body’s natural healing process. Ice or cold water therapy may be used to reduce swelling, and advice would be given on how this can be done at home.

Treatment concentrates on mobilizing joints. Soft tissue manipulation improves the condition of the muscles and blood vessels around the affected joints. Treatment of the nerves in the spine through pressure techniques improves neurological supply to joints and muscles.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic does not claim to be a cure for arthrosis, but it can relieve the symptoms in the joints. By locating the problem area and freeing up stiffened joints and muscles, mechanical correction usually improves joint function and significantly reduces pain and discomfort. Often this means a reduced intake of medication and a more enjoyable lifestyle.

Homeopathy

When cases of osteoarthritis flare up there are a number of specific remedies, depending on the particular case. For rheumatoid arthritis the treatment generally aims at strengthening the whole system and pays special attention to diet.

Supportive Treatments

Healing

Improvements from healing take longer with arthritis than with many other conditions, but the treatment does reduce the pain and dramatically increases mobility.

Metamorphic technique - depending on a patient’s condition and unique Life Force, ‘The Metamorphic Technique’ may be used to shift any blocks and regulate the energy balance of the body.
Debilitating patterns and other blocks are gently loosened up through a light touch on spinal reflex points.

Remedial Yoga

When patients are in acute pain and joints are inflamed, yoga is not appropriate, but when the inflammation is under control yoga can be useful to improve circulation and help to relax muscles that have been tense for a long time. Long-term pain can unbalance the body and make you lose confidence; yoga can rebalance the body and give you a greater feeling of control.

Reflexology

A reflexologist would give a full treatment, then concentrate on the points on the foot relevant to the location of the pain The reflex area for the shoulder, for example, is on the top and sole of the foot just below the little toe. For the hip, it is across the top of the foot just below the ankle bone. In either case, the right foot refers to pain on the right-hand side of the body and the left foot to the left-hand side.

Hypnotherapy

Although Arthritis is a physical disease, it's debilitating and immobilizing symptoms can reflect in a person's mental and emotional well-being. Hypnotherapy and other psycho-therapeutic modalities can help restore and nourish mental and emotional resources.