What Can I Do to Help My Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is more than just joint pain—it’s a chronic autoimmune condition that can affect your entire body. While conventional medicine often relies heavily on immunosuppressants and steroids, many people are now searching for a more holistic, root-cause approach. If you’re asking, “What can I do to help my rheumatoid arthritis?”—this blog will guide you through proven, natural strategies that reduce inflammation and support your immune system.

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we take a functional medicine approach that targets the underlying triggers of RA rather than just masking the symptoms. Here’s how you can start healing from the inside out.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the lining of your joints, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and eventually joint damage. It can also affect your lungs, skin, eyes, and cardiovascular system.

RA is often driven by a combination of genetics, gut health, environmental toxins, infections, and chronic inflammation. The key to lasting relief is identifying and addressing the root causes of immune dysfunction.

Most Common Symptoms of RA

• Joint pain and swelling (especially in hands, wrists, and knees)
• Morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes
• Fatigue
• Brain fog
• Low-grade fever
• Muscle weakness
• Reduced range of motion
• Weight loss or poor appetite

The good news? You’re not powerless. Let’s walk through the top ways you can take back control of your health naturally.

1. Heal Your Gut to Calm Autoimmunity

Up to 80% of your immune system resides in the gut. A compromised gut lining—often referred to as “leaky gut”—can allow food particles and toxins into the bloodstream, which may provoke the immune system and drive inflammation.

Action Plan:

• Remove inflammatory triggers like gluten, dairy, processed foods, alcohol, and sugar.
• Incorporate gut-healing nutrients like L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, collagen, and a quality probiotic.
• Test for dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria), parasites, and candida.

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2. Follow an Anti-Inflammatory, Autoimmune-Friendly Diet

Food is information for your immune system. The right foods can reduce inflammation and support healing, while the wrong ones can trigger flares.

Foods to Focus On:

• Wild salmon, sardines, and flax for omega-3 fatty acids
• Leafy greens, berries, broccoli, and beets
• Bone broth for collagen and gut repair
• Herbs like turmeric, ginger, rosemary, and garlic

Foods to Avoid:

• Gluten
• Dairy
• Sugar
• Processed oils (canola, soybean, corn)
• Nightshades (for some RA patients: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant)

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3. Reduce Stress and Support the Adrenals

Chronic stress increases cortisol, depletes the immune system, and worsens RA flares. Balancing your stress response is essential to calming inflammation.

Tips to Manage Stress:

• Daily meditation or deep breathing
• Gentle movement (like walking, yoga, tai chi)
• Adaptogens like ashwagandha or rhodiola
• Prioritize 7–9 hours of high-quality sleep

Even small shifts in your stress response can dramatically reduce flare frequency and severity.

4. Check and Correct Key Nutrient Deficiencies

RA patients are often deficient in critical nutrients needed for immune regulation, energy production, and tissue repair.

Key Nutrients to Support RA:

• Vitamin D3 + K2: Immune balance; aim for serum levels around 60–80 ng/mL
• Magnesium (glycinate or threonate): Muscle relaxation, joint health
• Omega-3s: Potent anti-inflammatory effects
• Curcumin: Natural COX-2 inhibitor to reduce pain
• B vitamins (especially B6, B12, folate): Methylation and joint tissue repair

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5. Detoxify Your Environment

RA may be triggered or worsened by environmental toxins like mold, heavy metals (e.g., mercury), pesticides, and plastics that overload your immune system.

Detox Tips:

• Use a high-quality water filter and air purifier
• Switch to natural cleaning and personal care products
• Eat organic when possible to reduce pesticide exposure
• Use infrared sauna, dry brushing, or PEMF therapy to support lymphatic and cellular detox
• Consider functional testing for mold, mycotoxins, or heavy metal exposure

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6. Consider Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is a medication that helps modulate the immune system without suppressing it. It has shown promise in autoimmune diseases like RA, fibromyalgia, and lupus.

Many patients report:

• Reduced joint pain and swelling
• Better energy
• Fewer flares
• Improved mood

LDN is safe, inexpensive, and available by prescription from functional medicine providers.

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7. Try Red Light Therapy and PEMF for Pain Relief

Joint pain and fatigue are hallmarks of RA, and natural therapies like red light (photobiomodulation) and PEMF can offer relief without medications.

• Red Light Therapy stimulates mitochondrial repair, reduces inflammation, and may slow joint degradation.
• PEMF Therapy improves circulation, oxygenation, and cellular detox—beneficial for chronic pain and stiffness.

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we offer advanced red light and PEMF therapy sessions for autoimmune joint support.

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8. Identify Hidden Infections or Triggers

Stealth infections like Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Lyme, or gut pathogens may be behind persistent RA symptoms. These infections fly under the radar but continually stimulate the immune system.

Steps to Take:

• Consider advanced testing for EBV, mycoplasma, or Lyme
• Use targeted antimicrobials if needed
• Support mitochondrial health and immune balance

9. Track Your Flares and Patterns

Keeping a journal or using an app to track your RA symptoms, diet, sleep, and stress levels can help you identify patterns and uncover your personal triggers.

Tracking can:

• Empower you to make data-driven changes
• Help your practitioner tailor treatment
• Reinforce habits that actually reduce pain

Apps like “MySymptoms” or “Bearable” are excellent tools for RA management.

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Powerless

Rheumatoid arthritis is complex, but healing is possible when you approach it from the inside out. Instead of just suppressing the immune system, functional medicine looks for the “why” behind your symptoms—so you can reclaim your health.

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we help you build a personalized RA protocol that may include:

• Advanced testing
• Nutrition therapy
• Gut healing
• Targeted supplements
• Lifestyle upgrades
• Natural therapies like red light and PEMF

Ready to Take the First Step Toward Healing?

If you’re asking, “What can I do to help my rheumatoid arthritis?”—the answer starts with discovering your unique root causes. Schedule your Functional Medicine Consultation with Sheen Vein & Cosmetics today and take back control of your joints, your energy, and your life.

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