Homeopathy in the Treatment of Rheumatological Diseases Introduction to Homeopathy and remedies that may be beneficial

Principles Asystem of medicine based on the principle of “like cures like” -similia similibus curentur Uses Uses the smallest dose possible to produce a response

Origins This principle was first described in Hindu writings over 3000 years ago This principle was first described in Hindu writings over 3000 years ago Also mentioned by Hippocrates, Galen in the 2nd century and Paracelsus in16th century Also mentioned by Hippocrates, Galen in the 2nd century and Paracelsus in16th century More recently researched by a German physician Samuel Hahnemann who developed “Homoeopathy” More recently researched by a German physician Samuel Hahnemann who developed “Homoeopathy”

Examples of the similia principle Peeling an onion leads to sore, runny eyes, itchy nose and sneezing - Allium cepa used to treat hayfever and colds Peeling an onion leads to sore, runny eyes, itchy nose and sneezing - Allium cepa used to treat hayfever and colds nettle stings produce a burning, itchy wheal on the skin - Urtica urens is a good remedy for similar skin lesions nettle stings produce a burning, itchy wheal on the skin - Urtica urens is a good remedy for similar skin lesions arsenic poisoning causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea with burning pains and chilliness - Arsenicum alb. V. effective in gastroenteritis and food poisoning arsenic poisoning causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea with burning pains and chilliness - Arsenicum alb. V. effective in gastroenteritis and food poisoning

Examples of the similia principle in medicine Radiotherapy which is used to treat cancer also causes it Radiotherapy which is used to treat cancer also causes it Amphetamines which produce hyperactivity, are used to treat hyperactive children Amphetamines which produce hyperactivity, are used to treat hyperactive children Immunisation Immunisation treatment of erythromelalgia with Praxilene? treatment of erythromelalgia with Praxilene?

Basis of Treatment Homoeopathy works with the body’s response to illness and remedies are prescibed according to the symptoms Homoeopathy works with the body’s response to illness and remedies are prescibed according to the symptoms one remedy can be used to treat several ailments one remedy can be used to treat several ailments one ailment may need to be treated with different remedies in different patients one ailment may need to be treated with different remedies in different patients

Materia medica Known symptoms produced by poisonings Known symptoms produced by poisonings Symptoms produced by provings Symptoms produced by provings Symptoms relieved when remedy given for other symptoms Symptoms relieved when remedy given for other symptoms

Selecting the remedy Detailed Homeopathic history Detailed Homeopathic history Repertorization Repertorization Materia medica Materia medica

Homeopathic history Details of presenting complaint - aetiology, aggravations, ameliorations, modalities Details of presenting complaint - aetiology, aggravations, ameliorations, modalities Aetiology : trauma, bereavement, never well since -pregnancy, menopause, glandular fever Aetiology : trauma, bereavement, never well since -pregnancy, menopause, glandular fever Aggravations : conditions that make symptoms worse Aggravations : conditions that make symptoms worse Ameliorations : improve symptoms Ameliorations : improve symptoms Modalities : conditions qualifying a symptom Modalities : conditions qualifying a symptom

Homeopathic history General symptoms - patients’ reaction to their environment, heat, cold, weather General symptoms - patients’ reaction to their environment, heat, cold, weather Food likes or dislikes, e.g. crave pickles,like fat Food likes or dislikes, e.g. crave pickles,like fat periodicity - frequency of symptoms - monthly, weekly, yearly periodicity - frequency of symptoms - monthly, weekly, yearly

Mind or Mental symptoms Placid, anxious, Placid, anxious, Anxious on anticipation Anxious on anticipation Depressed Depressed Weepy Weepy Consolation Consolation Easily bored Easily bored Jealous Jealous Tidy Tidy Fears Fears Company Company Shy Shy Routine Routine Resentments Resentments

General appearance Vivacious red-head Vivacious red-head Nervous Nervous Laid-back absent minded professor Laid-back absent minded professor Prim and proper Prim and proper Scruffy Scruffy Extremely neat and colour co-ordinated Extremely neat and colour co-ordinated Weepy blonde Weepy blonde Lacks energy Lacks energy Flabby handshake Flabby handshake Closed Closed Shy, hides behind mother Shy, hides behind mother Anxious to please, maintain eye contact Anxious to please, maintain eye contact

Repertorization Repertory contains details of symptoms produced by remedies listed under bodily systems e.g. mind, vertigo, head, eye, vision, ear, hearing, nose, face etc. Repertory contains details of symptoms produced by remedies listed under bodily systems e.g. mind, vertigo, head, eye, vision, ear, hearing, nose, face etc. –e.g. heartburn after eating - Aesc. agar. Am.c. anac. Calc. Calc. p. carl. Chin. Cocc.c. con. Croc. Graph. Iod. Lyc. Merc. Nat. mur. Nit. Ac. Nux v. Sep. Sil.

Repertorisation cont. Strong features of the history in each area - mind, generals and local symptoms Strong features of the history in each area - mind, generals and local symptoms The strength of a symptom in a rubric is indicated by the type, The strength of a symptom in a rubric is indicated by the type, i.e. bold type-strongly present, i.e. bold type-strongly present, italic - moderate, italic - moderate, ordinary type - symptom present for that remedy ordinary type - symptom present for that remedy

Further considerations Aetiology Aetiology Peculiar symptoms e.g. Peculiar symptoms e.g. – burning sensation > warm applications –asthma > lying down –feels exceptionally well day before headache –Symptoms can then be fed into a computer

Remedies These are prepared from :- These are prepared from :- minerals, minerals, plants, plants, fish, fish, insects, insects, snakes and disease products snakes and disease products

Preparation of the Remedies Whole plant is macerated in alcohol mother tincture Whole plant is macerated in alcohol mother tincture 1 drop added to 9 or 99 of solution results in 1X or 1C potency 1 drop added to 9 or 99 of solution results in 1X or 1C potency Succussed in between dilutions Succussed in between dilutions Standard potencies :- 6C, 30C, 200C, 1M, 10M, 50M Standard potencies :- 6C, 30C, 200C, 1M, 10M, 50M

Prescription 6C for local symptoms e.g. joint pain, skin eruptions 6C for local symptoms e.g. joint pain, skin eruptions 30C for acute illness e.g. influenza, diarrhoea and vomiting, childhood illnesses 30C for acute illness e.g. influenza, diarrhoea and vomiting, childhood illnesses 200C if giving nosodes e.g. glandular fever nosode, pertussis, measles vaccine 200C if giving nosodes e.g. glandular fever nosode, pertussis, measles vaccine 1M or 10M for strong emotional symptoms e.g. grief, P.M.T., depression, anxiety etc. 1M or 10M for strong emotional symptoms e.g. grief, P.M.T., depression, anxiety etc.

Instructions for taking remedies Homeopathic remedies are very delicate and should not be handled. Homeopathic remedies are very delicate and should not be handled. They are absorbed from the mouth and so are sucked not swallowed. They are absorbed from the mouth and so are sucked not swallowed. Should not be taken near food or drink as these may interfere with the absorption. Should not be taken near food or drink as these may interfere with the absorption. Store away from strong smells. Store away from strong smells.

Overall Outcome of Treatment with Homeopathy - GHHOS 1 = No change 1 = No change 2 = Slight change 2 = Slight change –Improvement in wellbeing but not PC 3 = mod improvement 3 = mod improvement 4 = good improvement 4 = good improvement –No symptoms as long as continue with remedies 5 = cure 5 = cure –Asymptomatic without remedies 68% range from 3-5

Conditions referred for homeopathy in 2004 Asthma/eczema/allergies/hayfever - 17% Asthma/eczema/allergies/hayfever - 17% Menopausal and PMT symptoms – 16% Menopausal and PMT symptoms – 16% Rheumatological symptoms - 13% Rheumatological symptoms - 13% Chronic fatigue syndrome - 10% Chronic fatigue syndrome - 10% ADHD, IBS, UTIs, neuralgia, candidiasis, depression and anxiety, headaches, migraine, etc. ADHD, IBS, UTIs, neuralgia, candidiasis, depression and anxiety, headaches, migraine, etc.

Audit of Homeopathic treatment for Rheumatology diseases 1 – No Change 1 – No Change 2 – Sl Improvement 2 – Sl Improvement 3 = Mod Improvement 3 = Mod Improvement 4= Good Improvement 4= Good Improvement 5 = Complete Cure 5 = Complete Cure

Remedies for rheumatological symptoms

Arnica General remedy for bruising and injury. Symptoms started after an injury or strain especially if accompanied by bleeding, for instance :- Symptoms started after an injury or strain especially if accompanied by bleeding, for instance :- –after childbirth, after an accident, fall, after an operation. Limbs and body feel as if beaten, sore, bruised feelings. Feeling as if the bed is too hard. Limbs and body feel as if beaten, sore, bruised feelings. Feeling as if the bed is too hard. Pain in muscles and tendons particularly of back and shoulders. Pain in muscles and tendons particularly of back and shoulders. Fear of being touched due to the pain. Groan during sleep. Fear of being touched due to the pain. Groan during sleep. Soreness after physical activity. Soreness after physical activity. Symptoms are :- worse for the slightest touch Symptoms are :- worse for the slightest touch worse for jolting and movement, worse for jolting and movement, worse for damp, cold worse for damp, cold better for lying with head lower than feet better for lying with head lower than feet better for rest. better for rest.

Belladonna Shooting pains along limbs, Shooting pains along limbs, Joints, swollen, hot, shiny, throbbing pains Joints, swollen, hot, shiny, throbbing pains Throbbing headache pressure, sitting up Throbbing headache pressure, sitting up Irritable, acuteness of all senses Irritable, acuteness of all senses General throbbing sensations General throbbing sensations Stiff neck, back pain < dorsal area Stiff neck, back pain < dorsal area < touch, jarring, draughts < touch, jarring, draughts

Bryonia Dry mucous membranes with intense thirst Dry mucous membranes with intense thirst Pressure headaches worse by the slightest movement Pressure headaches worse by the slightest movement Exhaustion accompanied by sweating Exhaustion accompanied by sweating Joint pains - shooting, piercing Joint pains - shooting, piercing worse for slightest movement or touch worse for slightest movement or touch relieved by rest or light pressure relieved by rest or light pressure red, hot joints relieved by hot compresses red, hot joints relieved by hot compresses Marked feature of this remedy is that symptoms are better for keeping absolutely still and are worse for movement Marked feature of this remedy is that symptoms are better for keeping absolutely still and are worse for movement

Calc fluor Chronic back pain, continued motion Chronic back pain, continued motion Exostoses on finger joints Exostoses on finger joints Chronic synovitis of knee joints Chronic synovitis of knee joints Swellings in fasciae, ligaments or tendons Swellings in fasciae, ligaments or tendons < rest, change of weather < rest, change of weather > heat, warm applications > heat, warm applications

Cinchona (quinine bark) Good remedy for debility from chronic illness Good remedy for debility from chronic illness Pains in joints and limbs, as if sprained Pains in joints and limbs, as if sprained hard pressure hard pressure Joints swollen, v. sensitive < open air Joints swollen, v. sensitive < open air Debilitating nights sweats Debilitating nights sweats < alternate days < alternate days

Rhus tox This remedy is often indicated when the pain in joints and muscles is : This remedy is often indicated when the pain in joints and muscles is : better for moving about better for moving about better from warmth and during warmer weather better from warmth and during warmer weather worse from damp, cold, worse from damp, cold, worse keeping still or in bed worse keeping still or in bed worse from beginning to move and when very tired worse from beginning to move and when very tired If symptoms started after :- If symptoms started after :- catching cold or being wet, catching cold or being wet, catching cold after sweating due to physical effort, catching cold after sweating due to physical effort, muscular strain. muscular strain. Pain - bruised feeling with stiffness Pain - bruised feeling with stiffness sciatica - tearing pain shoots along nerve sciatica - tearing pain shoots along nerve

Rhus tox cont. A particular feature of Rhus tox. is that all symptoms are relieved by moving about. Patients are very restless and often experience jumpy legs at night. A particular feature of Rhus tox. is that all symptoms are relieved by moving about. Patients are very restless and often experience jumpy legs at night. Rhus tox. cream can often be helpful when massaged into the neck, hands or feet if these areas are affected. Rhus tox. cream can often be helpful when massaged into the neck, hands or feet if these areas are affected.

Ruta Good remedy for trauma or strain to tendons, fibrous tissue or bone. Good remedy for trauma or strain to tendons, fibrous tissue or bone. Symptoms :worse for exposure to damp, cold Symptoms :worse for exposure to damp, cold –worse resting and lying down, better for moving about Tendons painful as if bruised, stiffness in limbs and joints. Tendons painful as if bruised, stiffness in limbs and joints. Eyes tired - better for heat and worse for artificial light. Eyes tired - better for heat and worse for artificial light. General sensation of being bruised all over particularly in limbs and joints. General sensation of being bruised all over particularly in limbs and joints. Feeling of intense weariness, weakness and despair Feeling of intense weariness, weakness and despair Indicated if symptoms started after trauma to ligaments, bone or muscular strain Indicated if symptoms started after trauma to ligaments, bone or muscular strain

Staphysagria Symptoms from suppressed resentment, twisted and bitter Symptoms from suppressed resentment, twisted and bitter Ailments from anger and indignation Ailments from anger and indignation Limbs feel beaten and painful, joints stiff Limbs feel beaten and painful, joints stiff Sense of fatigue in all joints, arthritic nodosities Sense of fatigue in all joints, arthritic nodosities Recurrent styes and honeymoon cystitis Recurrent styes and honeymoon cystitis

The rewards of homeopathy Patient satisfaction Patient satisfaction Effects on consultation technique Effects on consultation technique Intellectual achievement Intellectual achievement The joy of detective work The joy of detective work Understanding aetiology Understanding aetiology Personal satisfaction and fulfillment Personal satisfaction and fulfillment

Useful Addresses British Homeopathic Association, British Homeopathic Association, Hahnemann House, 29 Park Street, Luton, LU1 3BE. Academic Department, Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 0XQ