You’ll need to keep up with your usual medical care, but some natural remedies might help relieve pain and stiffness from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Many of them are simple, like using heat and ice packs. Others, like acupuncture, 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. This traditional form of Chinese medicine is one of the oldest natural pain remedies 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 to inflammation. It also helps with chronic pain, especially back pain. It may also help with osteoarthritis. Since acupuncture involves needles that need to be clean and properly placed, ask your rheumatologist to recommend a practitioner who works with people that have RA.
This technique helps you learn to control automatic responses such as heart rate and blood 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. 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.Many doctors recommend heat and cold treatments to ease rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Each offers different benefits: Cold: It curbs joint swelling and inflammation. Apply an ice pack to the affected joint during an RA flare-up, for instance. Just don’t overdo it. Apply the cold compress for 15 minutes at a time. Take at least a 30-minute break between treatments. Heat: It relaxes your muscles and spurs blood flow. You can use a moist heating pad or a warm, damp towel. Many people like using microwaveable hot packs. Don’t go too hot. Your skin shouldn’t burn.
