Homeopathy and Arthritis: What You Should Know

As far as alternative therapies go, homeopathy is one of the most popular forms of alternative remedies in the world. Homeopathy is used around the world. In areas around Europe and Asia, homeopathy is almost universally accepted. Many research studies have proven its efficacy in helping to heal some conditions. However, can it help you fight the symptoms of arthritis? Should you consider homeopathy to cure the symptoms of your arthritis? And what exactly is homeopathy?

Homeopathy is based on the idea that "like cures like." This means that taking a small, diluted amount of what is causing your illness may actually help to heal your illness. Another idea of homeopathy is considered to be rather curious by conventional medical doctors. Most homeopathic treatments consist of using very diluted forms of the disease-causing substance. This goes against the ingrained notion that in order for a medication or therapy to be effective, it must have many molecules of the drug present.

Besides these general ideas, no one can explain precisely how homeopathy works, if it is indeed thought to be effective. If and how it works is indeed a mystery. However, recent research has shown that the second step in preparing homeopathic remedies, that is, succussion (vigorous shaking or pounding of the glass container of liquid on a hard surface to cause intense turbulence) during manufacture, is the critical part in making a remedy active. It appears that the process of succussion restructures the water-alcohol solvent in which the original source material is found.

Silicates from the inner glass walls of the container in which the remedy is made likely help stabilize the remedy structure in the solvent. Still, the original source material imprints its own unique "fingerprint" on the solvent properties as well (Rey 2007). Remedies tested for their physical chemical properties show much greater heat release than do plain diluted materials (Elia et al. 2007). So, succussion is the first clue as to what makes a homeopathic remedy active.

We also believe that we have to look at the person as a whole indivisible system or network. You can't do something to one part without affecting the rest of the system. Homeopathy may serve as a signal to the person as a whole system to re-direct its function (sickness) into a healthier mode of dynamics (complex systems theory). Even conventional researchers are discovering that they can sometimes re-set a sick system out of an epileptic seizure or an apnea (stopping breathing) by a carefully timed small stimulus.  These kinds of strategies and homeopathy may work like a short burst of a rocket firing at just the right intensity on a space shuttle trying to shift out of orbit and back safely to Earth (Coffey, Nature Medicine, 1998).

Now that you have some idea of what homeopathy works, consider whether you think it can help your case. Homeopathy has long been used to help treat the symptoms of arthritis, with mixed results. Anecdotal evidence abounds about its efficacy. Many people swear that certain homeopathic remedies can help treat their arthritis symptoms. Some people, on the other hand, report no significant improvement. What are some of the most popular homeopathic treatments for arthritis? Rhus toxicondendron is widely used for treating arthritis symptoms. Rhus toxicondendron is derived from poison ivy.

Another homeopathic treatment is derived from Bryonia, better known as wild hops. Ledum is yet another popular homeopathic ingredient. It is derived from marsh tea. Although it may sound somewhat strange, api, which is derived from bee venom, is also used to treat arthritis via homeopathy. Another popular homeopathic remedy is used to treat gout, a painful form of arthritis that is caused by the overproduction of uric acid in the body. The Colchicum autumnal herb is actually used to make a prescription medication that is commonly used to treat gout. Colchicum autumnal is also used in a homeopathic counterpart remedy.

Of all the different types of arthritis, it appears that homeopathy is most helpful in helping treat fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and maybe rheumatoid arthritis. Although medical researchers disagree about the efficacy of homeopathic treatments in treating these common forms of arthritis, some doctors do allow for the possibility that homeopathy can be treated successfully with other forms of more conventional therapy.

One important precaution that should be taken by all arthritis patients is in regards to prescription medications. Sometimes, homeopathic treatments may not work well iin people taking high doses of corticosteroids on a regular basis. Homeopathy may work more slowly with more conventional prescription medications, but responsible practitioners always recommend continuing your usual medications at first. If the homeopathic treatment helps, then you can gradually and safely taper doses of your drugs. It is too dangerous to stop your drugs suddenly and/or without your physician's supervision.

Some homeopaths suggest that prescription medications or caffeine substances may interfere significantly with the efficacy of the homeopathic treatment. Many homeopaths do not find that caffeine interferes with most patients' treatment, however - so ask. Also, homeopaths agree that systemic forms of arthritis should be diagnosed and treated through more conventional means. Homeopathy can serve sometimes as an alternative and sometimes as a adjunct to conventional care.