Natural Support for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Can anything be done to naturally support Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The first thing that you must understand about Rheumatoid Arthritis, is that it is an autoimmune condition. If the only thing you do is focus on the pain, inflammation and swelling by taking anti-inflammatory medications, steroids and immune suppressants, then you will only be treating the symptoms of your problem. How do you feel about only treating the symptoms? Would it make sense that if we know drivers, or causes of autoimmune conditions that we would work to identify them, then do whatever is needed to remove them, and then focus on healing the body? If that seems logical to you, then you may be a good candidate for the type of care we offer in my office.
In my clinic we use Functional Medicine. Functional Medicine seeks to identify the drivers, or causes of disease process, or declining health, and works to remove those causes and then help nurture the person’s body back to health.
Don’t get me wrong, we are very fortunate to have medications available when we need them, but with chronic conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis, what is the strategy to get you off of these potentially dangerous medications that have very nasty secondary side-effects? The answer is that there is no strategy, becasue once you are diagnosed with an autoimmune condition in the traditional medical model those are the only tools they have. Also they don’t understand why you have an autoimmune condition, or at least not well enough to help you try and put it in remission naturally by identifying the causes.
If you want to learn more about the approach that I take, watch my video on the natural approach to treating autoimmunity below.
We are located in Hickory, NC, but Dr. Shook works with patients in the US and internationally utilizing Skype video appointments and phone. Dr. Shook can order labs from anywhere in the US and many places internationally. If you need help, we may be able to help you. Have a wonderful day!
