A stiff joint is a feeling where a joint feels tight when you try to move it, or a feeling that the joint has limited movement. It can affect one or more jonts at a time. Stiffness of the joint is usually felt after rest or when waking up in the morning or after sitting for a long time. It may be accompanied by pain, swelling, heat and redness of the joints. It could simply come from sleeping in the wrong position, growing older, or it could indicate an underlying health problem. The main medical cause behind stiff joints is arthritis (i.e. inflamed joints). The first of these is rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that leads to stiff, painful, red and warm joints. Initially, the small joints of the body such as fingers and hands are affected, followed later by other joints. Deformities in the joints can also occur in the long term if the inflammation is not controlled in a timely manner. Autoimmune disease means that the disease develops when the body’s immune cells begin to damage the lining of the joint due to a misdirected response.
Another type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage at the ends of the bones that form the joints begins to wear out, usually as part of aging, but can also occur for other reasons, such as injury. It can affect any joint of the body, but most commonly affects the joints of the knees, hands, hips and spine.
Another type of arthritis is gout. Gout refers to inflammation of the joints due to elevated uric acid levels. It usually starts in the joint of the big toe, but can later affect other joints. Other types of arthritis include psoriatic arthritis and infectious arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is a type of joint inflammation that can occur in some people who suffer from a skin condition called psoriasis (an autoimmune skin condition characterized by red, inflamed patches of skin covered with silvery-white scales). Infectious arthritis is a type of joint inflammation caused by an infection in the joints that reaches joints from other parts of the body via the bloodstream.
Stiffness can also occur with ankylosing spondylitis (it is an autoimmune disease that affects the spine and causes stiffness in the back and hips. It can also cause stiffness in other joints, such as those of the hands and feet). Besides arthritis, another cause is bursitis. Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa (small sacs filled with fluid that aid in the lubrication and smooth movement of the joint during movement). Another cause may be fibromyalgia. It is a condition that causes pain in the body along with general weakness, sleep problems and memory problems.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathy can help wonderfully in controlling joint stiffness. Homeopathic medicines stimulate the body’s natural healing system to overcome joint stiffness naturally. These medications treat the cause of stiff joints to ensure relief. The inflammation of the joints is well controlled by homeopathic medicines. In addition to stiffness, they also control pain, swelling, redness and heat in the joints. These medicines are 100% natural remedies with no side effects. The appropriate drug for these cases should be selected for each case individually after a detailed case evaluation based on the characteristic symptoms. Therefore, before taking any homeopathic medicine, it is advisable to have any case of stiff joints assessed by a homeopathic doctor and take the medicine under the doctor’s supervision. Self-medication should not be done under any circumstances.
Homeopathic medicines for stiff joints
1. Rhus Tox – Most drug
Rhus Tox ranks first in the list of homeopathic medicines for treating stiff joints. People who need this have a clear stiffness in the joints during the first movement after rest. The stiffness is worse when getting up in the morning. Getting up from the chair also aggravates the stiffness. Continuous movement helps reduce joint stiffness. In addition to the above complaints, someone complains of pain, redness and swelling of the joints. The nature of the pain in most cases is of the stitching type. It results in weak joints. Joint complaints are worse in damp and wet weather, in cases where this medicine is necessary.
2. Bryonia – Along with red, swollen, painful joints
Bryonia is an important medicine for the treatment of joint stiffness, which is accompanied by redness, swelling and pain in the joints. Stitching pain is felt in the joints when necessary. The main symptom is aggravation of pain with the slightest movement and relief from rest. Applying heat relieves joint pain.
3. Actaea Spicata – For stiffness of hands and fingers
This medicine is great for controlling the stiffness of the joints of the hands and fingers. In addition to stiffness, pain is also felt in the joints of fingers and hands. The pain is worse by touch and movement. Little fatigue also increases joint pain.
4. Causticum – For stiffness of the knee joint
Causticum is the most prominent medicine to control the stiffness of the knee joint. A tension pain is felt that causes tension in the knee. The stiffness and pain get worse when walking. The left knee of both knees is more prominently affected. Cracking in the knee is also felt when walking with the above complaints. In addition to knees, this medication can also be used for stiffness of the ankle joint. Pain is felt in the ankle while walking.
5. Colchicum – For stiff joints of small joints
This medicine is well indicated for stiffness in small joints such as those of the hands and feet. Pain and swelling are also accompanied. 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 stabbing pain is mainly complained by those who require this medicine. Colchicum is the best remedy for joint inflammation and gout.
6. Ledum Palustre – With lighting applicable to cold water
This medicine is recommended when joint stiffness improves specifically by applying cold water to the joints. Only after applying cold water to the joints is movement of the joints possible. There may be a tearing pain in the joints along with stiffness. The pain gets worse with movement. Heat is felt in the joints. In cases where this medicine is required, all joints in the body may be stiff, but the most prominent joints are those of the knees, ankles and feet.
7. Sticta – For stiff and swollen joints
Sticta is a good medicine for treating cases of stiff and swollen joints. In cases where this is necessary, pain in the joints is also felt. Pain leads to insomnia. This medicine is also the best medicine for controlling knee stiffness and pain in bursitis. Exercise relieves joint stiffness.
8. Lycopodium – For stiff elbow, shoulder, knee and ankle joints
Lycopodium works well for stiffness of elbow, shoulder, knee and ankle joints. There is a feeling as if there is a band around the joints. The knee and ankle are swollen and there is pain on movement and touch. A tearing pain is felt in the elbow and shoulder joint. During rest, stiffness is usually greater.