Patient: I have been having redness, pain, and swelling in my hands, ankles, wrists, and elbows on both sides of my body. I wake up very stiff and tired and my blood tests show I have anemia. Doctor: These could be symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Your treatment will require strong immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids and or biologics to manage your condition. There is no cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis.  In years to come you may need joint replacement surgery. Patient: My Rheumatoid Arthritis medications have been causing me headaches, nausea, stomach upset, face swelling, and increased fatigue. What is worse is that they are not helping me. Doctor: If these medications aren’t working for you, we can try other stronger drugs, but none of them are guaranteed to work and all of them have potential side effects. Receiving a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis can be a life-changing and difficult experience. Unfortunately, these types of interactions with your doctor can leave you feeling discouraged, frustrated, fearful, and – at times – even hopeless. It is important to know that you do have choices regarding your treatment plan for RA and that other options are available.

Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the joints but it can also affect other parts of the body such as the skin, heart, lungs, and eyes. According to the American College of Rheumatology, RA is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis. In most cases, RA initially affects the joints of the hands, wrists, feet, and ankles, however, as the disease progresses, it often affects the knees, shoulders, elbows, and spine. The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of these joints causing inflammation, pain, stiffness, and eventually damage to these joints.  RA is typically diagnosed based on a combination of clinical symptoms, physical examination, laboratory tests, joint aspiration, nodule biopsy, and imaging studies. Rheumatoid Arthritis usually develops between ages 30 and 60, however, younger individuals can also be affected. On average, Rheumatoid Arthritis affects women two to three times more than men.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

According to the CDC and Johns Hopkins University, the most common signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis are:

• Pain or aching in more than one joint

• Stiffness in more than one joint

• Swelling in more than one joint.

• The same joints on both sides of the body are affected.

• Joint deformities

• Decrease in range of motion

• Muscle pain and soreness

• Unexplained weight loss

• Weakness

• Fatigue

• Anemia

• Fever

• Skin redness and lumps

Conventional Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Similar to the treatment of many other auto-immune diseases, the conventional treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis typically involves the use of medical drugs to suppress the immune response. The suppression is designed to reduce and manage the symptoms of inflammation. Additional treatment options for RA include physical and occupational therapy, joint injections, and joint replacement surgery.  What is missing from this approach is the focus on finding and addressing the underlying causes of your Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms. Conventional medicine often has us believe that there is only one course to take with auto-immune diseases. It is important to understand that you do have choices regarding your treatment plan. I have found that RA responds very well to a holistic approach.

Major Underlying Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

First and foremost, the focus of holistic treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis is to find and address the underlying causes and – most importantly – to set the body to heal at the deepest levels. What I have found to be the major underlying causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis are:

• Viruses
• Environmental Toxins
• Mold
• Heavy Metal Toxicity 
• Food Allergies
• Leaky Gut
• Mycotoxins
• Candida Overgrowth 
• Microbiome imbalances
• Emotional Trauma and Stress
• Inflammatory Foods
• Lifestyle Factors
• Epigenetic Factors 

  According to the principles of holistic medicine, only the treatments that address the underlying causes of disease will have lasting health results. In my many years of practicing holistic medicine, I have found that every individual who has been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis has at least four of the above-mentioned underlying causes. For example, when inflammatory foods are identified and removed from the body, the inflammation begins to lessen and that is when the body begins to heal.  The same holds true when any other underlying root cause is identified and addressed.

Holistic Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

As a holistic doctor, I offer holistic programs that are designed to meet your individual needs and health goals. All my programs are clearly written out and explained. They let you know exactly what you need to do, including:  

• What foods will help you heal

• What foods to stay away from

• What lifestyle changes will help you heal 

• What detoxification practices are recommended

• What practices will help to reduce your stress

• What supplements or homeopathic remedies are recommended

• What specific tests are recommended

• What educational materials are helpful to watch or read

The Benefits of Holistic Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

The holistic approach is based on the principle that the body has an innate ability to heal itself, and can do so if given the right tools. Some of the benefits of holistic treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) include:  

• Healing at the Deepest Levels

• Marked Reduction or Resolution of Inflammation and Swelling

• Marked Reduction or Resolution of Pain

• Improved Strength

• Improved Range of Motion

• Much More Energy

• Healing of the Affected Organs
• Healing of the Skin
• Less Anxiety

• Lasting Health Results

How to Get Started with your Holistic Program for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) 

At my practice in Manhattan, New York City, I use the principles of homeopathy, holistic medicine, and functional medicine to focus on finding and addressing the underlying causes of your Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms. All my personalized programs are clearly written and designed to be easy-to-follow. Plus, the day you start following your personal treatment program, you are truly starting your healing journey!   To schedule an appointment, or if you have any questions, please call us at (212) 475-2222 or email us at drsalzarulo@gmail.com. In-person and virtual appointments are available.   We look forward to hearing from you!