Natural Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Root Cause Approach

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can make everyday activities—like getting out of bed or holding a coffee mug—feel like monumental tasks. This chronic autoimmune disease causes painful inflammation in the joints and can also affect the skin, eyes, lungs, and heart. But while conventional medicine focuses on suppressing symptoms with pharmaceuticals, more patients are turning to natural treatments for rheumatoid arthritis that work with the body to heal the root causes.

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we take a functional medicine approach—looking beneath the surface to uncover what’s driving the immune imbalance. In this blog, we’ll explore the most effective natural and holistic therapies that can help calm your immune system, reduce flares, and restore function—without relying solely on medications.

Why Look for Natural Treatments?

RA is an autoimmune condition, meaning your immune system mistakenly attacks your joints. Medications like methotrexate, steroids, or biologics can help manage symptoms but don’t address the reasons your immune system is misfiring. Many patients experience side effects like fatigue, nausea, liver strain, and immune suppression.

Natural treatments, when guided by a qualified practitioner, can:

• Reduce pain and swelling
• Support immune regulation
• Improve energy and mental clarity
• Decrease reliance on medications
• Address the underlying causes of RA flares

Let’s walk through the most powerful natural options.

1. Adopt an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

One of the most foundational steps in managing RA naturally is transforming your diet. Certain foods drive inflammation, while others help calm the immune response.

Foods to Eat:

• Fatty fish (salmon, sardines) – rich in omega-3s
• Leafy greens (kale, spinach) – antioxidants and fiber
• Berries – reduce oxidative stress
• Bone broth – supports joint tissue and gut health
• Turmeric, ginger, rosemary – natural anti-inflammatories

Foods to Avoid:

• Gluten
• Dairy
• Refined sugar
• Processed vegetable oils (soy, corn, canola)
• Nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants—for some)

This dietary shift is commonly known as the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) or a modified anti-inflammatory diet. It’s a great starting point to calm the fire in your joints.

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2. Heal the Gut to Heal the Immune System

Up to 80% of your immune system resides in the gut. A disrupted gut barrier (“leaky gut”) allows food particles and toxins to enter the bloodstream, triggering chronic inflammation.

Gut Healing Tips:

• Remove inflammatory foods and gut irritants
• Add gut-repairing nutrients: L-glutamine, collagen, zinc carnosine, and probiotics
• Test for imbalances: parasites, candida, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)

When the gut is healed, the immune system calms down—and so do your joints.

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3. Use Natural Supplements to Reduce Inflammation

Supplements can be a powerful complement to dietary and lifestyle changes. They help reduce inflammation, protect cartilage, and support immune balance.

Top Supplements for RA:

• Curcumin (from turmeric): Reduces inflammation, acts as a natural COX-2 inhibitor
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in fish oil, decreases joint pain and stiffness
• Vitamin D3 + K2: Immune regulation; most RA patients are deficient
• Magnesium glycinate: Muscle relaxation and joint recovery
• Boswellia: Natural herb that reduces joint swelling
• Glucosamine + MSM: Supports cartilage health and joint flexibility
• NAC and CoQ10: Protect mitochondria and combat fatigue

Always work with a provider to personalize your protocol and dosing.

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4. Try Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)

Though technically a prescription medication, Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is widely used in functional medicine for natural immune modulation.

LDN works by:

• Regulating immune system overactivity
• Reducing chronic pain
• Improving sleep and mood
• Decreasing inflammation in the central nervous system

Many RA patients notice reduced flares and less stiffness after starting LDN, without the immune suppression of traditional RA drugs.

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5. Support Detoxification Pathways

Environmental toxins like pesticides, heavy metals, plastics, and mold are often hidden contributors to autoimmunity. They confuse the immune system and add to the inflammation burden.

How to Detox Naturally:

• Sweat regularly (infrared sauna, exercise)
• Use a water filter and air purifier
• Eat cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts) to support liver detox
• Dry brushing and PEMF therapy to enhance lymphatic flow
• Consider testing for mold or heavy metal exposure if symptoms are severe

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6. Incorporate Red Light Therapy and PEMF

Natural therapies like red light therapy (also known as photobiomodulation) and PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy are gaining popularity among RA patients for their pain-relieving and cellular healing benefits.

Benefits Include:

• Reduced joint inflammation and swelling
• Increased mitochondrial function (more energy)
• Improved circulation and detoxification
• Faster tissue repair

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, our red light bed powered by PEMF provides an integrative, non-invasive option to support joint health and overall vitality.

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7. Reduce Stress to Protect Your Immune System

Chronic stress is one of the most overlooked triggers for RA flares. Elevated cortisol and nervous system dysregulation throw off immune balance and increase joint inflammation.

Stress-Reducing Practices:

• Meditation or breathwork (10 minutes daily)
• Yoga or gentle stretching
• Journaling or gratitude practices
• Spending time outdoors
• Quality sleep (7–9 hours per night)

In functional medicine, stress management is considered medicine. It's not optional—it's essential.

8. Consider Functional Testing

To uncover your personal root causes, advanced testing may include:

• Food sensitivity testing
• Stool analysis for gut pathogens and dysbiosis
• Organic acids testing (for nutrient and mitochondrial status)
• Environmental toxin testing (mold, heavy metals)
• Autoantibody panels and inflammation markers (CRP, ESR, ANA, RF)

This personalized data allows your provider to design a targeted plan that works with your unique body chemistry.

Final Thoughts: Natural Does Not Mean Passive

Natural treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are not “alternative”—they are evidence-informed strategies that empower you to participate in your healing process. With a functional medicine approach, the goal is not just to manage symptoms but to uncover what’s really driving your inflammation and reverse it at the source.

You don’t have to settle for a life of joint pain, fatigue, and medication side effects. You can take back control—naturally.

Ready to Explore Natural Rheumatoid Arthritis Solutions?

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we offer integrative autoimmune care using the best of functional medicine, lifestyle interventions, and advanced natural therapies. Schedule your consultation today to build a personalized plan for healing your joints and your immune system from the inside out.

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