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Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and attacks the joints and connective tissues (Haaz, 2011). Conventionally, rheumatoid arthritis is treated through medications, physical therapy, and surgery (Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, 2020). The three types of pharmaceuticals given are typically non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen decrease inflammation and thus reduce pain, but they can cause stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal irritation. Corticosteroids such as prednisone are helpful for those with more chronic forms of the ailment, but it can lead to weight gain and are hard to discontinue. Lastly, DMARDs such as Methotrexate can impede radiographic damage, but can lead to alopecia and in worst situations, hepatic cirrhosis. In addition, physical therapy can help reduce stress while improving the strength and mobility of joints through various exercises (Arthritis Foundation, n.d.). Furthermore, surgery such as synovectomy where an area of the synovium in a joint is removed or total joint arthroplasty where a joint is restored by resurfacing bones or adding an artificial joint can provide relief (Hospital for Special Surgery, n.d.; The Johns Hopkins University, 2021). Unfortunately, many of these conventional treatments are invasive and have unwanted side effects.
On the other hand, a number of alternative treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are on the rise. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) regimens include dietary changes such as going vegan, hydrotherapy, and herbs (Haaz, 2011). Studies have shown that eliminating animal products while vegan reduces rheumatoid arthritis symptoms (Alwarith et al., 2019). In addition, the fiber from plants increases the different types of bacteria in the gut and decreases inflammation. Next, hydrotherapy such as balneotherapy, which is soaking in mineral or thermal waters for at least 20 minutes, improves quality of life and overall functionality (Fernandez-Gonzalez et al., 2012). Finally, herbal medicine is another non-invasive and low side effect yielding treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. For example, the terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and glycosides in Chinese cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) can decrease the number of inflammatory mediators (Zhao et al., 2021). Moreover, the extract, cinnamaldehyde, blocks the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Ultimately, one’s symptoms such as “old lady” hands and tightness could be caused by inflammation in the body. Eating less meat, employing herbs, and dabbling into more exercise can help increase mobility. Exercising can also reduce high levels of stress, which could cause an immune response in the body and lead to more inflammation. Additionally, balneotherapy could provide another solution to the pain. Furthermore, it is important to consider one’s medical history prior to herbal recommendations because of the possible interactions between certain herbs and Prednisone or Ibuprofen. Prednisone is a corticosteroid, which is hard to stop. Therefore, with this knowledge, it is best to begin with lifestyle changes while weaning off the medications with the help of their primary care physician before suggesting herbs.
References
Alwarith, J., Kahleova, H., Rembert, E., Yonas, W., Dort, S., Calcagno, M., Burgess, N., Crosby, L., & Barnard, N. D. (2019). Nutrition interventions in rheumatoid arthritis: The potential use of plant-based diets. A review. Frontiers in Nutrition, 6, 141.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2019.00141
Arthritis Foundation. (n.d.). Physical therapy for arthritis. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/complementary-therapies/physical-therapies/physical-therapy-for-arthritis
Fernandez-Gonzalez, M., Fernandez-Lao, C., Martin-Martin, L., Gonzalez-Santos, A., Lopez- Garzon, M., Ortiz-Comino, L., & Lozano-Lozano, M. (2021). Therapeutic Benefits of Balneotherapy on Quality of Life of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(24), 13216. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413216
Haaz, S. (2011, October 13). Rheumatoid arthritis: Complementary and alternative medicine options. https://www.hopkinsarthritis.org/patient-corner/disease-management/ra-complementary-alternative-medicine/
Hospital for Special Surgery. (n.d.). Synovectomy: Arthroscopic joint surgery for Synovitis: HSS. https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_synovectomy.asp#:~:text=A%20synovectomy%20is%20a%20surgical,the%20aid%20of%20an%20arthroscope.
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center. (2020, April 14). Rheumatoid arthritis treatment options. https://www.hopkinsarthritis.org/arthritis-info/rheumatoid-arthritis/ra-treatment/
The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System. (2021, August 8). Arthroplasty. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/arthroplasty#:~:text=Arthroplasty%20is%20a%20surgical%20procedure,arthritis%20may%20affect%20the%20joints.
Zhao, X., Kim, Y. R., Min, Y., Zhao, Y., Do, K., & Son, Y. O. (2021). Natural Plant Extracts and Compounds for Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 57(3), 266. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57030266
