Homeopaths Can Help With Arthritis

A homeopath is a healthcare practitioner who prescribes medicines that are extremely diluted solutions designed to help the body heal itself. The effectiveness of these homeopathic preparations is controversial. However, a study of people with arthritis who consulted homeopaths about their disease showed that the mere act of consulting with these healthcare practitioners improved their condition.

"Although previous trials have shown homeopathy may help patients with rheumatoid arthritis, this is the first time that we have scientific evidence that these benefits are specifically due to its unique consultation process," observes lead author Dr. Sarah Brien, a senior research fellow in complementary medicine at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom.

The people in this British study, published in the journal Rheumatology, received conventional treatment for their arthritis as well as homeopathy consultations.

"Homeopathic consultations differ from those in conventional medicine in that homeopaths focus on treating the patient, whereas conventional doctors tend to treat the illness. The homeopathic consultation process improves the health of these arthritis patients based on standard rheumatology measurements and does so safely and without side effects,” said Brien.