What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
It’s an autoimmune condition where your immune system (which usually switches on with inflammatory response to fight infection) attacks the lining of the joints causing pain, swelling and stiffness, most commonly affecting hands, feet and wrists. Over time it can damage cartilage and bone.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMPS
Symptoms
You may experience some or all of the following symptoms:
- Onset over days, weeks
- On and off, with flare ups
- Joint pain, swelling, stiffness
- Small joints of hands, feet
- Bilateral
- Throbbing, aching pain
- Worse in morning, lasting > 30 min and after inactivity
- Unable to fully bend fingers
- Swelling, warmth, redness
- Nodules around affected joints
- Tired, lack of energy
- Temperature
- Sweating
- Poor appetite, weight loss
It makes you more susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome, heart, lungs, eyes problems, so it needs to be well controlled.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS CAUSES
According to the medical literature the causes are not clear. Females are more at risk; other causes might be:
- overuse
- smoking
- genetics-family history
- unknown
Genetics and environmental factors trigger autoimmunity. Aggressive treatment at the beginning is important to prevent joint damage.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS DIAGNOSES
Diagnosis is based on full medical history, physical examination, laboratory test and images.
The most common imagery test are:
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- TC scans
- MRIs
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TREATMENTS
Medical
Diagnosis is important, early treatment can reduce the risk of joint damage. There is no cure but treatment can help to have months or longer between flare ups. Medications to relieve symptoms and slow progress have serious side effects and reactions.
According to the type of arthritis and your needs, your GP will prescribe:
- Pain relievers
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Corticosteroid medications
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Creams and ointments that contain menthol or capsaicin
Natural
Hands on treatment
Osteopathy is a drug free manual medicine and several studies demonstrated its anti-inflammatory effect and rebalancing the nervous system. Osteopathy is helpful in relieving pain and distress of a chronic condition.
Techniques used will be: soft tissue stretch, inhibition to relax hypertonic muscles, improve local circulation or lymphatic drainage and induce a state of relaxation, specific joint mobilisation for the reduction of pain, increased range of motion, improved biomechanical function, somatovisceral reflex reduction, springing, gentle rocking against restrictions, controlled repetitive until motion has improved, resulting in reduced tension, muscle energy techniques, counterstrain, myofascial release.
Home treatment
- Lifestyle changes
- Hot/ cold packs
- Avoid flare ups
- Maintain healthy weight
- Exercise strength and aerobic
Foods to avoid:
red meat, dairy, gluten inflammatory
corn oil Omega 6 cut down sunflower safflower soy all inflammatory
fried and processed food trans fats trigger inflammation and raise bad cholesterol
salt attract water, increased swelling
sugar highly inflammatory
alcohol interaction with meds, ulcers, liver damage
fried and grilled food high temperature cooking= advanced glycation end products in blood
Anti-inflammatory foods
Omega 3 lower inflammation, LDL (bad cholesterol) triglycerides (fats in blood, risk of heart disease)
Beans fibre lower C reactive protein – sign of inflammation- keep muscle mass strong
Broccoli spinach kale chard bok choy ACK vitamins, anti- free radical, calcium for strong bones
Cherries raspberries blueberries anti oxidant, hold down inflammation
Citrus fruits oranges grapefruit lime vit C, strong immune system
Fish salmon, herring, sardines, anchovies
Walnuts Omega 3 rich
Ginger anti-inflammatory
Green tea anti-oxidant, slows down cartilage destruction
Extra virgin Olive oil anti-inflammatory
Turmeric anti-inflammatory
Whole grains lower CRP levels
We can help you!
DIAGNOSE
CONDITIONS
TREATMENTS
Treatments that can help
Here are some treatments that can help with Arthritis pain:
- Massage (Soft Tissue)
Help decompress the nerve impingement due to tight muscles - Osteopathy
Helps restore normal movement due to misalignment and decompress nerve impingement - Physiotherapy/Sports Therapy
Helps stabilise weak areas and restore normal movement - Acupunture
Helps to loosen up the tissue decompress the nerve impingement in tight muscles
Book a Consultation with
Here are some therapist that can help with Arthritis: