Holistic Treatments for Arthritis

A holistic approach to arthritis is aimed at alleviating discomfort and symptoms associated with the condition in a natural way. Physical therapy, mindfulness, PRP injection therapy, and many other holistic solutions can provide patients with arthritis relief without surgical intervention. By addressing possible causes of inflammation holistically, patients may experience decreases in their arthritic symptoms and are given ways to keep them at bay.

Dr. Nazanin Firooz is a board-certified Rheumatology and Internal Medicine physician at Comprehensive Rheumatology Center. She, Dr. Phillip Aleksiejuk, and their team provide customized holistic treatment plans for patients in Greater Los Angeles to treat many different types of arthritis. Get back to living a comfortable life by scheduling a consultation with us today. Call our Woodland Hills office at (818) 598-0000 to meet with one of our caring and experienced doctors. 

About Arthritis

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints. It affects an estimated 54 million people in the United States. ⁽¹⁾ Holistic approaches in medicine often address multiple attributes, not just pain management. It is imperative to investigate and treat underlying issues that may complicate or contribute to pain, including poor sleep, anxiety and depression, or undiagnosed joint inflammation. When a patient is viewed wholly, not just in their symptoms, holistic methods are beneficial in more ways than one. ⁽²⁾

Dr. Firooz, Dr. Aleksiejuk, and their team provide an array of holistic treatments for arthritis. Some manage pain, while others focus on mindfulness to reduce symptoms and stress. The Comprehensive Rheumatology Center team creates personalized plans for each patient that may include any combination of the following treatments to help treat many types of arthritis.

Holistic Treatment For Arthritis

The stiffness, pain, and reduced range of motion associated with arthritis can significantly impact one’s quality of life. However, embracing alternative therapies and a holistic approach can alleviate symptoms and enhance overall well-being.

Low-Impact Exercise

Implementing arthritis-friendly exercise regimens like yoga and Tai Chi can improve flexibility, and promote overall well-being. By engaging in gentle movements and stretches, individuals can alleviate joint pain and improve their overall comfort levels. Regular practice can reduce arthritis-related pain by promoting circulation, releasing tension, and improving muscle support around the joints.

Physical Therapy

By engaging in physical therapy sessions, patients can experience a range of benefits. These include targeted exercises that help reduce pain, increase flexibility, and promote joint function. Studies show that there is great promise in physical therapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis. This type of treatment is cost-effective and convenient, and can even be performed at home for certain patients. For individuals seeking relief from arthritis symptoms, whether it be osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other forms, physical therapy is a non-invasive yet powerful tool. Continuous and consistent physical therapy can provide pain relief, improve joint function, and help patients improve their overall mobility. ⁽³⁾

Diet

Regulating your diet can positively impact your arthritis symptoms in many ways. Certain foods have a higher chance of causing inflammatory responses in the body. To avoid these effects, limit your intake of the following:

Incorporating foods rich in antioxidants, such as fatty fish, nuts, berries, and leafy greens, can help reduce inflammation and manage arthritis symptoms effectively. We often assist patients by implementing an anti-inflammatory protocol (AIP) or an elimination diet to help reduce inflammation.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture therapy for arthritis involves the strategic insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body known as acupoints. These acupoints are believed to be connected by meridians through which vital energy flows. By stimulating these points, acupuncture aims to restore the balance of energy, or qi, in the body, promoting healing and pain relief. Within Western medicine, acupuncture is believed to relieve pain by releasing neurochemicals in the brain. A study performed in 2008 discovered that acupuncture is an effective treatment plan for arthritis pain management in the knee. ⁽⁴⁾

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

At the Comprehensive Rheumatology Center, we offer a holistic approach to pain management and stress relief with mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). High stress levels and hectic schedules can exacerbate arthritis pain. This approach helps patients take back control of their lives. Without surgery and medication, MBSR is a program backed by research that encourages mindfulness, meditation, relaxation exercises, and strategies proven to reduce stress. The program is 10 weeks of individual meetings with a member of our team who facilitates and monitors your progress. Reducing stress is proven to reduce the chronic symptoms of arthritis, PTSD, and anxiety. MBSR allows you to work on your mental wellness, improving your overall physical health.

CBD and Herbal Supplements

CBD is a compound found in the cannabis plant that is believed to have anti-inflammatory effects. Many different topical pain creams provide quick relief of arthritis-related pain that can contain CBD, Voltaren (anti-inflammatory similar to Advil), lidocaine, and eucalyptus. When applied to painful joints, lotions and balms containing CBD can provide almost instant relief. ⁽⁵⁾ Natural remedies for arthritis can also include incorporating anti-inflammatory herbal supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin.

PRP Injection Therapy

PRP injections utilize platelet-rich plasma to regenerate tissue cells and reduce pain. PRP is extracted from the patient’s donated blood by centrifugation (fast spinning) and reinjected into the injured joint. The highly concentrated PRP encourages the regeneration of cells by releasing growth factors that influence other cells to grow rapidly. This encourages healing over time as PRP is used for long-term pain relief in arthritic joints, often lasting up to 9 months after injection.

Benefits of Holistic Treatments for Arthritis

Holistic treatment benefits arthritis patients in many ways: ⁽²⁾

Many of the treatments provided by the Comprehensive Rheumatology Center team are more natural and minimally-invasive compared to traditional methods. They are more cost-effective than surgery, allowing your quality of life to increase without the high costs. Holistic treatments can be safely repeated and rarely lead to side effects.

If you are curious about holistic medicine as a practice or want to learn more about what Dr. Firooz and her team do daily, follow our blog the NewsRheum.

Personal Consultation

To determine the right treatments for your needs, we will meet with you privately to discuss your medical history, symptoms, and arthritis concerns. Each patient has a unique perspective and outlook on chronic pain management, and our team will help you find the best combination of treatments to fit your needs. Managing arthritis pain may look like multiple treatments spaced out within the year to keep you on track, alongside at-home exercise and herbal supplements. We are here to help determine your health trajectory so you can return to living your life with less discomfort.

Results of Holistic Arthritis Treatments

All treatments mentioned are primarily related to pain management. Repeated visits are necessary to continue controlling and preventing your arthritis symptoms. Your physician creates a schedule that works for you and provides the best possible results. Perceived results are determined after your treatments are selected. It often takes some time to visualize what your treatment will look like, but most patients experience decreased pain very soon after their first visit.

Cost of Holistic Treatments for Arthritis in Los Angeles

Each patient has specific needs that lead to personalized treatment plans. The physicians at Comprehensive Rheumatology Center determine your total price breakdown during your consultation. Depending on which treatments we recommend, the length of your continued care, and your necessities, the plans vary.

If you are ready to take the next step toward a more comfortable and pain-free life, fill out our contact form to schedule your first consultation today. Call us directly at (818) 598-0000 to get started.

FAQ

References

1. Liu L, Farhoodi HP, Han M, et al. Preclinical Evaluation of a Single Intravenous Infusion of hUC-MSC (BX-U001) in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Cell Transplantation. 2020;29:096368972096589-096368972096589. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0963689720965896
2. Hadavi S, Shenker NG. Arthritis pain management: a holistic approach. Rheumatology. 2018;58(8):1319-1320. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/key389
3. Wang W, Niu Y, Jia Q. Physical Therapy as a Promising Treatment for osteoarthritis: a Narrative Review. Frontiers in Physiology. 2022;13(13). doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.1011407
4. Selfe TK, Taylor AG. Acupuncture and Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Family & Community Health. 2008;31(3):247-254. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/01.fch.0000324482.78577.0f
5. Boehnke K, Clauw D, Fitzcharles MA. CBD for Arthritis Pain: What You Should Know. www.arthritis.org. Published September 14, 2022. Accessed February 20, 2024. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/pain-relief-solutions/cbd-for-arthritis-pain