You’ll need to keep up with your usual medical care, but some natural remedies might help relieve pain and stiffness fromrheumatoid arthritis(RA).
Many of them are simple, like using heat and ice packs. Others, likeacupuncture, need a trained pro.
If you want to try natural and home remedies, ask your doctor what would be most helpful for you and if there are any limits on what’s OK for you to try. If they give you the go-ahead, you might want to look into some of these common treatments, starting with three that involve working with professionals.
Acupuncture
This traditional form of Chinese medicine is one of the oldest naturalpainremedies around. It uses super-fine needles to stimulate energy along pathways in your body called meridians. The goal is to correct imbalances of energy, or qi (pronounced “chee”).
There isn’t a lot of research specific to acupuncture for RA, although studies do show it lowers levels of chemicals in your body linked toinflammation. It also helps with chronic pain, especiallyback pain. It may also help withosteoarthritis.
Since acupuncture involves needles that need to be clean and properly placed, ask yourrheumatologistto recommend a practitioner who works with people that have RA.
Biofeedback
This technique helps you learn to control automatic responses such asheart rateandblood pressure. You do it with sensors on your body, which send information to a monitor. A therapist teaches you how to control your reaction to stresses.
Massage
This natural approach dates back thousands of years, and modern science shows that it can help ease pain. There are many different types. You’ll want to talk to your doctor before you try it. You can also ask for recommendations. It’s good to get a massage therapist who’s worked with people that have RA. Let them know if you have any sore spots they need to avoid. You can also ask them not to use scented products that could irritate your skin.
Exercise
You may not feel like moving, but it’s good for you. It won’t make your RA worse, and it could lower the swelling in your joints and help ease your pain.
Because you have RA, talk to your doctor or a physical therapist before you get started. They can help create the right program for you. It’ll probably focus on:
- Aerobics,likewalkingorswimming, to get yourheartmoving
- Strength training,to keep the muscles around your joints strong
- Range-of-motion exercisesto help your joints move like they should
- Balance movesto help you avoid stumbles and falls
Heat and Cold
Many doctors recommend heat andcold treatmentsto easerheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Each offers different benefits:
Cold:It curbsjoint swellingandinflammation. Apply an ice pack to the affected joint during an RA flare-up, for instance. Just don't overdoit. Apply thecoldcompress for 15 minutes at a time. Take at least a 30-minute break between treatments.
Heat:It relaxes your muscles and spursbloodflow. You can use a moist heating pad or a warm, damp towel. Many people like using microwaveable hot packs. Don't go too hot. Yourskinshouldn’t burn. You can also useheat therapyin the shower. Let the warm water hit the painful area on your body. That may help soothe it. A hot tub is another good way to relax stiff muscles. Limit your use of hot tubs or spas if you havehigh blood pressure,heart disease, or arepregnant.
Topical Creams, Gels, and Patches
You might not think of a pain rub as a natural remedy, but many of these products are made fromcapsaicin, the ingredient that makes chili peppers hot. Studies show it can help ease RA pain. Don’t use it along with a heating pad. It makesburnsmore likely.
Deep Breathing
Take slow breaths from your belly. It can calm you and turn off the stress receptors that tighten your muscles and make pain worse. Plus, when you focus on yourbreathing, you take yourbrainaway from thoughts about pain.
Meditation
This technique can be as simple as focusing on your breathing and just noticing each inhale and exhale. It doesn’t require any spiritual beliefs, and it isn’t about being super calm. Anyone can do it, and only a few minutes can make a difference. Your mind will almost certainly wander. That’s OK. Just return your attention to your breath or whatever you choose to focus on.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
To do this:
- Tighten and then relax the muscles in different parts of your body.
- Work your way down the body, starting with your face muscles, followed by your neck, arms, chest, back, belly, legs, andfeet. Or work your way up from your feet.
- Breathe in as you contract your muscles.
- Breathe out when you let go.
Tai Chi
This slow, gentle martial art is easy on your joints. You’ll stand and do a series of gentle movements that are easy to modify if your joints are sore. It can help with strength, flexibility, and balance. There isn’t enough research to know if it works to curb RA pain, but it may be something to try.
Turmeric
This golden spice found in many curries is a member of thegingerfamily. It hails from India and Indonesia and has been a staple in traditional medicine in that part of the world for centuries. Research shows it blocks proteins that cause inflammation and may ease pain as well as some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) commonly used to treat RA.
Visualization
This can helpreduce stressand pain. To try this simpleexercise:
- Close youreyes.
- Breathe deeply.
- Picture yourself in a quiet, peaceful place.
Yoga
This mix of low-impactexercise, breathing, andmeditationwas developed in India some 5,000 years ago. It’s good for your body and mind. It can easejoint pain, improve your flexibility, and zap stress and tension. Studies show it can lower chemicals that cause inflammation andstress. Just talk to your doctor to make sure it’s OK for you before you dive in. Work with them to find an instructor that knows how to handle people with RA.
Magnets
Magnet therapies come in a variety of forms, such as bracelets, necklaces, inserts, pads, or disks. You can find them at most natural food stores.
Most research on magnets involves people withosteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear type ofarthritislinked to aging, not RA.
In people withkneeandhip osteoarthritis, some early studies have shown they improvedjoint painbetter than aplacebo. But doctors don’t know exactly how magnets might relieve pain, and there’s no clear proof that they actually help people withrheumatoid arthritis.
Aromatherapy
This natural treatment doesn’t appear to affect pain levels or chemicals that causeinflammation. But it might boost your mood. One small study found lemon scent might boost your mood, but that’s about it.
Essential Oils
Essential oilscan be a nice addition to amassage. Be careful if you apply them to your skin or let someone else do it. Some are known irritants. Try a test patch to see how you react. Don’t use it on broken or damaged skin.
Thunder God Vine
A few studies have shown a drop in inflammation and tender joints in people with RA who take this supplement. This includes some studies which compared this root withsulfasalazine, a traditional drug used to treat RA, and found that symptoms improved more with the use of thunder god vine. Side effects may includestomachupset,headache,hair loss, upper respiratory tract infections, and sterility in men.Pregnantwomen and women at risk of gettingosteoporosisshould not take it.
Keep in mind that it’s hard to get safe and high-quality thunder god vine made in the U.S. The safety and effectiveness of thunder god vine from outside the U.S. (such as from China) can't be verified, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
A Warning About Supplements
A few RA studies show that certainsupplementsand natural remedies can help. But the research is still in its early stages, so the bottom line isn’t clear yet.
Keep in mind thatsupplementscan affect othermedications. Tell your doctor about anything you take, even if it’s natural, so they can check that it’s safe for you.
