Last updated 27/02/2024 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

7 natural treatments for psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a rheumatic joint disease that can break down cartilage and cause significant joint pain. Precisely for this reason, many are looking for measures that can help them in combination with drugs. Here you can read more about seven natural treatments for psoriatic arthritis that can help relieve the pain.

- About 30% of people with the skin condition psoriasis also get psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis affects approximately 30 per cent of those with the skin disease psoriasis - which is characterized by greyish, flaky skin on, among other things, the elbows, scalp and knees. Joint pain, stiffness and swelling are the three most common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, and primarily affect the vertebrae, pelvic joints and finger joints. But it also affects other joints.

This article goes through seven natural treatments for psoriasis arthritis that will hopefully help you relieve your symptoms. At the bottom of the article you can also read comments from other readers and get good tips and advice.

1.Aloe Vera

Many people are familiar with aloe vera's healing properties - and perhaps especially for sunburned skin. Not surprisingly, it is also the case that this natural plant can help against psoriatic arthritis. Aloe vera based creams and ointments can help relieve redness of the skin, reduce flaking and reduce pain sensitivity.

Research (1) has previously concluded that 81% of the patients reported improvement by using aloe vera for their psoriasis and psoriasis arthritis. Other research studies have shown that it works to reduce inflammation (2) and that it reduces pain sensitivity in the area.

2. Capsaicin

Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili plants. This agent is used in several different pain creams and ointments - including Linnex. The reason it is used is that capsaicin has a clinically proven effect in the form of relieving pain, reducing inflammation and redness of the skin - which is directly associated with psoriasis.

When such an ointment is applied to the skin, this will help to block the pain signals in the area. In other words, the ointment prevents the area from sending pain signals to the brain - which can give a break from the pain.

In this way, one can make the symptoms associated with this diagnosis more visible and ensure that more people are taken seriously - and thus get the help they need. We also hope that such increased attention can lead to greater funding for research on new assessment and treatment methods.

The right diet with a high content of antioxidants and important anti-inflammatory nutrients is also essential for rheumatism patients. You can read more about it in the article below.

Also read: - Research report: This is the Best Fibromyalgia Diet

3. Turmeric

Turmeric and its healing effects is among the very best documented in the world - also in its use against rheumatic disorders. Of other positive effects in turmeric, and its active ingredient Curcumin, it has been seen that it can play an active role in the prevention of Alzheimer's, reduce the chance of depression and improve blood vessel function.

In a study (3) researchers concluded that curcumin was more effective than diclofenac sodium (better known as Voltaren) in the treatment of active rheumatic arthritis. They further wrote that unlike Voltaren, curcumin has no negative side effects.

Turmeric can thus be a healthy and good alternative for those who suffer from osteoarthritis and / or rheumatism - yet we do not see many recommendations from GPs that patients with such complaints should receive turmeric instead of medication.

4. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a well-documented treatment that can relieve muscle pain due to psoriatic arthritis. However, we want to emphasize that we are talking here about medical acupuncture - ie intramuscular needle treatment that is aimed at the affected muscles. Such treatment should only be performed by a public health professional (such as a physical therapist or modern chiropractor).

Intramuscular acupuncture (also known as dry needle or intramuscular stimulation) works in several ways - this treatment can lead to:

• Improved blood circulation

• Minor soft tissue and muscle pain

• Increased healing in the treated area

The needles also work on a neurophysiological level where they break up deep muscle tension and reduce the transmission of local pain signals. A safe and gentle treatment method that is often used as a supplement in the physical treatment of muscles, nerves and joints.

Below you can read about another eight anti-inflammatory measures that may be helpful to rheumatics.

Also read: - 8 Natural Anti-Inflammatory Measures Against Rheumatism

5. Epsom salt (bath salt)

Epsom salt is a popular bath salt used by many people with psoriasis and psoriasis arthritis. Salt dissolves easily in bath water and draws into the skin. Regular use can work directly soothing for irritated and inflamed skin.

Many also report the following when using it with a hot bath:

• Relaxation and reduction of stress

• Relief of muscle pain

• Less skin irritation and flaking

However, it is worth mentioning that scientists believe that it is especially the hot bath that works most relieving on sore muscles and a aching body. But skin diseases seem to be somewhat alleviated with the use of certain bath salts such as Epsom salt.

Also read: What You Should Know About Psoriasis Arthritis [Great Guide]

6. Physical treatment and massage

Psoriatic arthritis causes an increased incidence of pain in muscles and joints. This is exactly why it can be very important to get professional help to keep up with stiff joints and tense muscles. Many rheumatologists utilize treatment for muscles and joints through publicly licensed clinicians.

The best thing for someone with psoriatic arthritis is often a clinician who works with both muscles and joints - such as a manual therapist or modern chiropractor. This can help maintain movement of the joints and reduce pain from tight muscles.

Unfortunately, psoriasis arthritis is a diagnosis that cannot be cured. But with the help of a skilled clinician and your doctor, you can keep the majority of symptoms at bay. We again emphasize the importance of customized exercise exercises for those with psoriatic arthritis.

Recommended self-help for rheumatic and chronic pain

• Compression Noise (such as compression socks that contribute to increased blood circulation to sore muscles or specially adapted compression gloves og socks against rheumatic symptoms in the hands and feet)

Click on the image to read more about compression gloves.

• Toe pullers (several types of rheumatism can cause bent toes - for example hammer toes or hallux valgus (bent big toe) - toe pullers can help relieve these)
• Mini tapes (many with rheumatic and chronic pain feel that it is easier to train with custom elastics)
• Trigger point Balls (self-help to work the muscles on a daily basis)
• Arnica cream or heat conditioner (many people report some pain relief if they use, for example, arnica cream or heat conditioner)

- Many people use arnica cream for pain due to stiff joints and sore muscles. Click on the image above to read more about how arnica cream can help relieve some of your pain situation.

7. Green tea

Green tea contains a high level of catechins – powerful antioxidants known to have beneficial anti-inflammatory properties. These can help reduce the incidence of inflammation and associated swelling in psoriatic arthritis and other joint diseases.

Research has shown that it works, among other things, by blocking an inflammatory component called cytokine interleukin-1. This blockage helps reduce the chance of psoriasis arthritis breaking down additional cartilage and joint material.

We always recommend that the diet for rheumatologists contains an extra high level of anti-inflammatory antioxidants - this is found in vegetables and many different fruits. 

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