What Causes Stiff Joints And Its Homeopathic Remedies

Stiff joint is a feeling when a joint feels tight on trying to move it or a feeling that the joint has a restricted movement. It can affect one or multiple jonts at a time. Stiffness of the joint is mostly felt after rest or waking up in the morning or after sitting for a long time period. It may be attended with pain, swelling, heat and redness of the joints. It could simply arise from sleeping in the wrong posture, ageing or it could be indicative of some underlying health issue. The main medical cause behind stiff joints is arthritis (i.e. inflamed joints). First among these is rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune joint disorder that leads to stiff, painful, red and warm joints. In the beginning, the small joints of the body like fingers, hands are affected followed later by other joints afterwards. Deformity in the joints may also appear in the long run if inflammation is not controlled well in time. Autoimmune disease means it arises when the immune cells of the body start damaging the lining of the joint out of a misdirected response.

Another type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disorder that results when the cartilage present at the end of the bones that forms the joints starts to wear down usually as a part of aging but can also occur from other reasons like injury. It can affect any joint of the body but usually affects joints of the knees, hands, hips and the spine.

Another kind of arthritis is gout. Gout refers to inflammation of the joints arising from increased uric acid levels. It initially tends to start from the joint of the big toe but can involve other joints afterwards. Other types of arthritis include psoriatic arthritis and infectious arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is a type of joint inflammation that can occur in some persons who suffer from skin disorder called psoriasis (an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by red inflamed patches on the skin covered with silvery white scales). Infectious arthritis is a type of joint inflammation that occurs from infection in the joints which reaches joints from other body parts via blood stream.

Stiffness can also occur in case of ankylosing spondylitis (it is an autoimmune disorder affecting the spine which causes stiffness in the back and hips. It may also cause stiffness of other joints like that of hands and feet). Besides arthritis, another cause is bursitis. Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa (small sacs filled with fluid that helps in lubrication and smooth movement of the joint during movement). Another cause can be fibromyalgia. It is a disorder that causes pain in the body along with general weakness, sleep problems and memory issues.

Homeopathic Management

Homeopathy can help wonderfully in managing stiffness of the joints. Homeopathic medicines boost the natural healing system of the body to overcome joint stiffness naturally. These medicines treat the root cause of stiff joints to ensure relief. The inflammation of the joints is controlled well by homeopathic medicines. Along with stiffness, they also manage pain, swelling, redness and heat in the joints. These medicines are 100% natural remedies without any side effects. The suitable medicine for these cases has to be selected separately for every case after detailed case evaluation based on the characteristic symptoms. So prior to taking any homeopathic medicine, it is advised to get any case of stiff joints evaluated by a homeopathic doctor and take medicine under the doctor’s supervision. Self-medication should not be done in any case.

Homeopathic Medicines for Stiff Joints

1. Rhus Tox – Top Most Medicine

Rhus Tox ranks first in the list of homeopathic medicines for managing stiff joints. Persons needing it have marked stiffness in the joints on first movement after rest. Stiffness is worse on getting up in the morning. Getting up from the chair also worsens the stiffness. Continuous movement helps to reduce the stiffness of joints. Along with the above-mentioned complaints, a person complains of pain, redness and swelling of the joints. The nature of pain is stitching type in most cases. It results in weak joints. Joint complaint is worse in damp, wet weather in cases needing this medicine.

2. Bryonia – Along With Red, Swollen, Painful Joints

Bryonia is an important medicine to manage stiffness of the joints attended with redness, swelling and pain in the joints. Stitching type of pain is felt in the joints in cases needing it. The most important symptom is worsening of the pain at the slightest movement and relief from rest. Applying warmth brings relief to joint pains.

3. Actaea Spicata – For stiffness of hands and fingers

This medicine is highly suitable for managing the stiffness of the joints of hands and fingers. Along with stiffness, pain is also felt in the joints of fingers and hands. Pain gets worse from touch and movement. Little fatigue also enhances joint pain.

4. Causticum – For Stiffness Of Knee Joint

Causticum is the most prominent medicine to manage the stiffness of knee joint. A tensive pain causing strain is felt in the knee. The stiffness and pain get worse when walking. Out of both knees, the left-sided knee is more prominently affected. Cracking in the knee is also felt when walking along with the above-mentioned complaints. Besides knees, this medicine can also be used in cases of stiffness of the ankle joint. Pain is felt in the ankle when walking.

5. Colchicum – For stiff joints of small joints

This medicine is well indicated when there is stiffness in the small joints like those of the hands and the feet. Along with this, pain and swelling attend. The joints are also sensitive to touch. The pain is worse in the evening and at night. The pain keeps shifting from one joint to another. Tearing and stitching type of pain is mostly complained by those requiring this medicine. Colchicum is the best remedy in cases of joint inflammation occurring in cases of gout.

6. Ledum Palustre – With Relief From Cold Water Application

This medicine is recommended when joint stiffness specifically gets better from the application of cold water on the joints. Only after applying cold water to joints, the movement of joints is possible. Tearing type of pain can occur in the joints along with stiffness. Pain is worse from movement. Heat is felt in the joints. In cases needing this medicine, all the joints in the body can be stiff but among these, the most prominent joints include those of knees, ankle and feet.

7. Sticta – For Stiff And Swollen Joints

Sticta is a good medicine for managing cases of stiff and swollen joints. In cases needing it, pain is also felt in the joints. Pain leads to sleeplessness. This medicine is also the best medicine for managing knee stiffness and pain in cases of bursitis. Moving about relieves the stiffness of joints.

8. Lycopodium – For Stiff Elbow, Shoulder, Knee And Ankle Joints

Lycopodium works well in cases of stiffness of elbow, shoulder, knee and ankle joints. There is a feeling as if a band is present around the joints. The knee and ankle are swollen along with pain on movement and touch. In elbow and shoulders joint, a tearing type of pain is felt. The stiffness is more during rest most of the time.