The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) shares guidelines for disease management and care. According to Creaky Joints, the ACR recently released a new guideline centered around integrative interventions for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Cleveland Clinic describes how integrative medicine:
uses an evidence-based approach to treat the whole person—your mind, body and soul. Your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs are all involved, so integrative medicine uses a combination of therapies.
Basically, while people with RA use disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARDs) to help protect joints and reduce symptoms, other interventions—such as dietary changes, massage, and physical therapy—can also assist with health management.
The Guideline: An Overview
To develop this guideline (of which you can find the summary here), the American College of Rheumatology performed a literature review using existing research on integrative interventions and rheumatoid arthritis. They then used this to create new health recommendations which were delineated as either strong or conditional. The recommendations included in this guideline include:
- People with rheumatoid arthritis should get frequent and regular exercise, which can be tailored to their specific abilities.
- If you’re getting ready to begin your exercise journey, make sure to speak with your care team about what you can accomplish and what is off-limits. You can also work with physical or occupational therapists, personal trainers with expertise in arthritis, or other similar individuals to shape your journey.
- A Mediterranean diet could confer significant benefits for people with RA. It can also help to reduce inflammation.
- Patients with RA should consider integrative care such as splinting or bracing, acupuncture, and aerobic, aquatic, mind-body, or resistance exercise.
- Chiropractic care, electrotherapy, and the use of dietary supplements are not recommended for those living with rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): A Brief Description
So what is rheumatoid arthritis? This autoimmune inflammatory disorder occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the joint lining, causing painful and sometimes debilitating inflammation. RA affects joints throughout the body, including in the hands and feet. This condition is 2-3x more common in women than in men. Symptoms related to RA can, but do not always, include:
- Fatigue and general malaise
- Loss of appetite
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Joint tenderness, warmth, inflammation, stiffness, and pain
- Lumps or redness under the skin
- Restricted or limited mobility
- Muscle and back pain
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Bone erosion and/or joint deformities
