Homeopathy is one of the best natural modalities for offering pain relief. There is very little in the world of herbal and nutritional supplementation that can provide rapid results while addressing the root cause, and conventional pharmaceuticals for pain like gabapentin and opiates are among those most people try hardest to avoid, being notoriously addictive and likely to cause side effects. This is where homeopathy shines, being able to provide, in some cases, instant pain relief without side effects. The primary drawback to using homeopathy is that often, the best results can only be obtained with specific remedies chosen to suit the peculiar nature of the symptoms.
Arnica montana is generally the first homeopathic remedy that comes to mind for relieving pain, and its use for this purpose is approaching common knowledge. Experiencing pain relief from topical Arnica has become a gateway into homeopathy for many, and while Arnica often does provide some pain relief, it is rarely the best remedy for the majority of conditions in which a person may be seeking relief from musculoskeletal pain. The classic indication for the use of Arnica is a bruised, sore feeling that cannot bear any touch or pressure, generally from a contusion or some unaccustomed exertion. The delayed-onset muscle soreness associated with beginning a workout routine will often respond to Arnica, but for pain associated with strains and sprains there are other remedies which often work better. Arnica is also rarely as useful for everyday pains not associated with an acute injury. The following are some of the other most commonly effective homeopathic remedies for musculoskeletal pain, though which may be most effective always depends on the unique, individual symptoms of the case.
- Rhus Tox: this remedy is almost synonymous with joint pain in the homeopathic materia medica, so much that it’s almost a diagnosis of exclusion. The peril of giving Rhus tox for joint pain is the remedy not working nearly as often as people expect, because it tends to be prescribed without due regard for its important modalities. The signature modality pointing to rhus tox is stiffness and pain that is worse on beginning to move, but gets better with continued motion. While this is true of Rhus tox, there are actually a number of joint pain remedies with these so-called “Rhus tox modalities,” so it should not be prescribed on this alone. To truly expect good things from Rhus tox, there should be a marked restlessness, either in general or in the affected parts. There is a restless urge to move the joint even though it hurts, not to provide relief, though it will do so as the joint warms up. The other key modality is a significant relief from heat. Unless someone says definitively that a hot tub, heating pad, or something of that nature relieves the pain, Rhus tox is unlikely to help much.
- Bryonia alba: one of the most underrated remedies in general, it is often remembered for acute colds but forgotten as one of the most effective remedies for musculoskeletal pain. Like Rhus tox, it can relieve the myalgia associated with flu-like illnesses as well as almost any type of general musculoskeletal pain. The key to Bryonia is the effect of motion on pain, which is the opposite of Rhus tox. There is no restlessness whatsoever, and in fact the pain is non-existent at rest, provoked only during movement. There is typically also improvement with applying pressure, for instance a tight compress. Bryonia works especially well in acute cases like muscle strains, when the pain occurs as the result of injury, but it can also work wonders in some cases of chronic pain.
- Kali Carbonicum: this remedy should be thought of specifically for sharp, stabbing pains, almost anywhere in the body but especially the joints, legs, and back. It’s one of the best in cases where someone “throws their back out,” or their legs suddenly give out on them during otherwise normal activity. In addition to sudden weakness there is a marked sensitivity to touch, to the point that even a draft of air can aggravate the pain, and they will be unable to lie on the painful part. People who need Kali Carbonicum are usually proper and conservative, with a tendency to swell due to water retention.
- Anacardium: this is another quite underrated homeopathic remedy, seldom thought of despite being useful for many common complaints, including joint pain. A close botanical relative of Rhus tox, Anacardium orientale is currently being researched in its crude form as a potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis1. As a homeopathic remedy, it has long been known to relieve joint and musculoskeletal pains, especially when there is a sprained feeling with marked stiffness and a sense of constriction. The feeling of constriction in or around the part is useful to distinguish it from Rhus tox to which its symptoms are otherwise similar. Another point of difference is that while Rhus tox tends to suit a state of exhaustion from overwork, Anacardium can work for pains when there is a basis of anger, rage, or humiliation. It is always important to explore the emotions associated with pain, and this is where homeopathy truly shines as each remedy is suited to a unique mental and emotional picture. Someone who put his fist through a wall and has been experiencing shoulder pain ever since would be an excellent candidate for Anacardium, though it need not be so dramatic an outburst to consider using this remedy.
- Causticum: another remedy that can relieve pain associated with stiffness and weakness. Pains can be burning, electric-like, and quite severe, with a paralytic feeling in the affected part. Besides the stiffness and weakness, which can be quite severe, an important clue pointing to Causticum as the remedy is a marked improvement in damp or rainy weather, in marked contrast to typical joint pain. The parts may be contracted or so stiff as to be non-functional, and there is almost always some history of extreme bitterness and grief in a person whose pains can be relieved by Causticum.
- Pulsatilla: this polychrest remedy is often of benefit to people with a gentle, sensitive nature who desire frequent reassurance and affection. The pains of Pulsatilla can occur anywhere in the body, including the limbs and joints, and may be “wandering” or change places frequently. This remedy should be thought of specifically for drawing pains that feel like a tightness or tearing sensation in the limbs, almost like a cramp. It is generally not a true muscle cramp however, but rather involves venous congestion. It may worsen with the limb hanging down and improve in cool, open air.
- Caulophyllum: this is a great remedy to consider for joint pains associated with hormonal changes, especially in the fingers and hands. In addition to stiffness, there is generally a state of weakness and chilliness affecting the person generally. Otherwise, it may look like Pulsatilla with erratic pains that change places suddenly. A way to distinguish these remedies is that a person who needs Pulsatilla always feels better in cool, open air whereas this will aggravate a weak, chilly person who needs Caulophyllum.
- Calcarea Carbonica: possibly the best remedy for pain associated with degenerative changes. It is common for patients with musculoskeletal pain to be subjected to imaging studies and told their symptoms are the result of bone spurs, calcification, joint degeneration, or other problems that can only be fixed by surgery. It is also common for these symptoms to not improve after surgery, and in fact research has demonstrated that placebo back surgery can be as effective as real surgery for chronic pain. This is because people almost universally develop signs of musculoskeletal degeneration with age, even people who never experience pain in association with these changes, and so a lot of the findings revealed by imaging studies are incidental. Calcarea Carbonica can often help with this type of pain, especially if it is worse from cold, damp weather and physical exertion. The physical weakness and aggravation from even mild exertion, and improvement with rest, is the most important element which could suggest Calcarea Carbonica as the remedy, especially in someone who suffers generally from bone spurs or joint calcification.
- Kalmia: this remedy primarily affects the heart and nerves, but it can also be useful for joint pain especially in acute cases. The pains tend to be neuralgic and descending, originating in the shoulders, chest or back and possibly affecting multiple distal joints. Signs of nerve involvement such as weakness, numbness, or tingling may be present, and Kalmia tends to be useful for joint pain when there is a history of heart disease.
- Colchicum: a natural source of the drug colchicine, used as a gout medication, homeopathic preparations of Colchicum do not contain colchicine but can be useful for providing pain relief in joints where there are symptoms of redness, heat and swelling. The person needing Colchicum is typically irritable and sensitive with the pain, similar to the person needing Chamomilla, but generally complains of nausea. Extreme nausea provoked by food, especially meat, is the grand keynote of Colchicum and even the sight or thought of food may cause nausea in some cases.
- Ledum: most musculoskeletal pain is relieved to some degree by warmth, but any time joint pains are relieved by cold, it’s worth remembering Ledum. The pains of Ledum are typically ascending, beginning in the lower limbs and sometimes even the soles of the feet, and the affected parts may be cold, in which case it is all the more striking that the pains are relieved by ice packs or cold applications. This remedy can be especially useful for pain after insect bites or stings.
- Naz R, Ahmed Z, Shahzad M, Shabbir A, Kamal F. Amelioration of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Anacardium occidentale via Inhibition of Collagenase and Lysosomal Enzymes. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Nov 7;2020:8869484. doi: 10.1155/2020/8869484. PMID: 33224258; PMCID: PMC7669349. ↩︎
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