#BlogchatterA2Z- “J”- Joint inflammation- Common causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment!

This is day 10 of #BlogchatterA2Z and as “J”, I am talking about “Joint inflammation”. What is joint inflammation? What are the causes and symptoms? What is homeopathic treatment option for treating joint inflammation? Read the post to know more! 

What is joint inflammation? 

Joints are most important part of body. They are the structure that joint two bones (or body part) together and provide mobility and functionality.  joints are surrounded by soft tissues. Due to any reasons (injury, trauma or disease condition), when there is accumulation of fluid occurs in these tissues, it results in joint inflammation. Joint inflammation could affect one or multiple joints of body at one time.  

Joint inflammation is so common and affect large number of populations worldwide. The severity of joint inflammation is depending upon the underlying cause of inflammation. When cause of joint inflammation is a minor injury or acute trauma, it gets cured soon but when the cause of joint inflammation is arthritis or other infective disease, then it requires proper treatment and medication.  

Causes of joint inflammation 

There are different causes of joint inflammation.  

Injury or trauma 

Injury or trauma that affects joint badly and results in joint inflammation and causes symptoms like pain, swelling and difficult or restricted movement. This kind of joint inflammation may associate with dislocation or fracture of joints or other bony structure.  

Arthritis  

Arthritis is one of the major causes of joint inflammation and affect most of the joints of body. Here are some common types of arthritis.  

Osteo arthritis 

Osteo arthritis is one of the most common type of arthritis. It is usually age-related and caused by routine tear-wear of joints as the age progress. In this type of arthritis, there is wearing down of the cartilage occur that cushions the end of bones.  

 though Osteo arthritis can affect all joints of body, but most commonly affected joints are hip, knee, hands and spine. It is a chronic condition that last for years or lifelong. With treatment and other lifestyle measures (like exercise), it can manage effectively, but cannot be cured completely.  

Osteoarthritis causes pain, swelling, tenderness and loss of flexibility in joints. Many times, this chronic pain and inflammation of joints make hampered daily tasks and activities and negatively affect the quality of life of patients.  

Rheumatoid arthritis  

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune disease and can affect any age of people.  In this type of arthritis, our body’s immune system acts against our own body and mistakenly attacks our own body tissues and lining of different body joints, resulting in joint inflammation.  

Along with joints, Rheumatoid arthritis, can damage variety of body systems like skin, eyes, lungs and blood vessels. There is no permanent cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but symptoms can be managed effectively with medication and other lifestyle measures (diet and exercise).  

Prostatic arthritis  

Psoriatic arthritis is another common type of arthritis that is associated psoriasis (a serious auto immune disorder with severe skin lesions). Approximately 30% of psoriasis patients suffers from psoriatic arthritis.  

Septic arthritis  

As the name suggested, septic arthritis is caused by bacterial, viral or fungi infection in body. The virus, bacteria or fungi germs travel through your blood stream from another part of body and causes inflammation in joints. Septic arthritis is more common in infants, older people and people who have artificial joints. Staphylococcus aureus is most common type of bacteria that causes septic arthritis.  

Gout 

Gout is caused by increased level of uric acid in blood. Uric acid is a byproduct that is produced by breaking down of certain food substance in body. In normal condition, uric acid is excreted through urination and did cause any harm or problem in body. But in gout, this increased level of uric acid forms the uric acid crystals and gets deposit on various joints of body, resulting in pain, swelling and inflammation of joints. Gout is not merely a disease of joint, it is more a metabolic disorder. Gout usually starts from big toe and then affects other joints of body too.  

Ankylosing spondylitis 

Ankylosing spondylitis is another type of arthritis that mainly affects the spine and large joints of body.  this condition causes fusion of body joints resulting in stiffness and immobility in joints. The complication of Ankylosing spondylitis is so severe, can stiffen other body parts too (like eyes, heart, and ribs). And may cause “Bamboo spine”. Bamboo spine is severe complication of ankylosing spondylitis that involves complete immobility of spine.  

Other causes of joint inflammation:  

• Synovitis (inflammation of thin membrane (synovium) that lining the joints, become inflamed) 
• Fibromyalgia (a chronic condition that causes pain in muscles and bones, general fatigue, sleep and mood disturbances) 
• Bursitis (inflammation of joints) 
• Rheumatic fever  
• Sprains and tendinitis (inflammation of tendon)   

Symptoms 

Symptoms of arthritis depends upon underlying cause of disease. The common symptoms of joint inflammation are: 

• Pain and swelling of joints  
• Redness and tenderness of joints  
• Stiffness  
• Difficulty in movement  
• Limited functionality of joints (due to inflammation)  
• Other associated systemic symptoms (depending on underlying cause) such as: 
• Symptoms of skin lesions (in case of psoriatic arthrits0  

Homeopathic treatment  

Homeopathy offers great remedies for treating joint inflammation. Here are some of these:  

Rhus tox  

Image source: distacart.com 

Rhus tox is top grade homeopathic remedy for treating joint inflammation. It is especially useful, when joint pain caused or aggravated by rainy weather and overexertion. The joint pain and stiffness get aggravated (worse) by rest and relived by continues motion.  

Dose: 30 potency, 5-6 globules, 3-4 times a day 

Bryonia  

Image source: distacart.com 

Bryonia is second important remedy for arthritis and joint inflammation. When arthritis symptoms get worse by motion and relived by rest and applying pressure, Bryonia works best.  

Ledum pal 

Image source: distacart.com 

Ledum pal is another excellent remedy for joint pain that starts from lower joints and extend to upper ones (means, joint pain begins from toes to then spread to ankles and knee). when joint pain has a particular symptom of relief from cold application, Ledum pal give best results.  

Actaea spicata 

Image source: distacart.com 

Actaea spicata is a specific remedy for swelling and inflammation is smaller joints, like fingers and wrist. Especially useful in case of rheumatic arthrits.  

Medorrihnum 

 

Image source: distacart.com 

Medorrihnum is another powerful and deep acting remedy for arthritis and joint inflammation. When the finger joints are enlarged, puffy and stiff with burning in hands, Medorrhinum works best. Also, medorrhinum work good as “Intercurrent remedy”. Give dose of 1 M once a week to treat arthritic symptoms.  

Dose: 1 M or 200 potency, once a week (for up to 1 month) 

Few other indicated homeopathic remedies for joint inflammation 

• Belladona: when joints are red, inflamed and swollen (anti-inflammatory effect) 
• Apis: useful in case of osteoarthritis, when there is burning and stinging pain is present.  
• Calcarea flour 3X: when there is stony hardness of joints is present along with other inflammatory symptoms calcarea flour gives best results.  
• Colchicum: especially useful in case of gout 
• Causticum: when complaint aggravated in clean-dry weather and when there is crackling sounds come from joints.  

Homeopathic combination and supplement 

Here are some homeopathic combination and supplements that can be used in treatment of joint inflammation.  

Dr. Reckeweg’s R11 drop for joint and muscular pain

Image source: distacart.com 

Dr. Reckeweg’s R11 drop is a good combination for reliving minor symptoms associated with rheumatism like muscular pain and lumbago. It contains calcarea phos, causticum, rhododendron and rhus tox and many other indicated remedies to relive arthritis and joint inflammation symptoms.  

SBL’s bio chemic combination no.19 (for joint and muscle pain)  

Image source: distacart.com 

This is another good combination medicine for reliving joint inflammation and muscle pain. It is useful for joint and muscle pain with or without inflammation, stiff neck, shoulder pain, lumbago and sciatica. It contains Ferrum phos 3X, Kali sulph 3X, Magnesia phos 3X, Natrum sulph 3X.  

Dose: 4 tablets 4 times a day. (dissolve tablets in few tsp of Luke warm water to get best results)  

SBL’s homeo cal tablet 

Image source: distacart.com 

It can be used as a supplement; it restores metabolism and helps in absorption of nutrients that is needed for optimum bone health and also relive symptoms of osteoporosis. It contains calcarea carb 3X, Calcarea flourica 3X, Calcarea phos 3X and Silicea 3X.  

Dose: take 2 tablets, 3-4 times a day 

Rheumatone  massage oil for external application 

Image source: distacart.com 

It is a good oil for massaging affected area. It gives fast relief from muscular pains, sprains, strains, lumbago and stiffness of joints. You can apply this on head, neck, back, shoulder, foot, knee, forehead, joints, ankles and other affected area. It contains gaultheria, camphora and many other indicated remedies that works great in relieving joint and muscular pain.  

How to use it: massage the oil gently on affected area, 2-3 times a day. 

Special note 

All above mentioned remedies work great in reliving joint pain and inflammation symptoms temporarily and in general.  But in case of chronic and prolong disease, it is always advisable to take professional treatment and constitutional remedy based on your individual symptoms.  

Here is a good infographic to summarized “Joint inflammation and its causes, symptoms and treatment”

Image source: Jointhealthmagazine.com 

So, this is all for now.  

If you have any questions regarding joint pain and inflammation, feel free to ask in comment section.  

As “K”, I will talk about “Keloid and homeopathic treatment”. Stay tuned to know more.  

Read the previous posts of the series here: 

A: Acidity: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment  

B: baby colic : causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment 

C: Common childhood injuires: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment! 

D: Diarrhea: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment! 

E: Ear pain, causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment 

F: “Fever”- causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment! 

 G: “Gingivitis”: causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment! 

H: “Hair loss”: common causes, symptoms & homeopathic treatment!  

This post is a part of Blogchatter A2Z Challenge

Disclaimer: the post is written for educational purpose only. did not intend to cure, treat or diagnose any disease condition. always consult your doctor before making any significant changes to your medication or starting any new medication.

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