Alternative psoriasis therapies
The
self treatment of
psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with unconventional and self administered treatments is a very subjective area and with no scientific studies to support the results it is difficult to get an objective set of results for these treatments. The Net is full of people and sites offering miraculous cures to a condition that has confounded some of the best research brains in the World. It is possible that some of these treatments do genuinely benefit some of the individuals making these claims. Sadly there are more than an average amount of these sites intent on taking money from people driven by a desperate need to rid themselves of a curse on their lives. Having said this There are some treatments and remedies that inexplicabaly do benefit certain but not all individuals The golden rule is always seek
medical advice before embarking on a course of alternative treatment and do bear in mind that there is no miracle cure for this condition the channels of communication in our world today are so well developed that transfer of information is instantaneous and the person who found that miracle cure would be instantly and deserved'ly accorded the status of a hero.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique involving the manipulation of
needles placed in the body. The needles are very fine and are inserted at varying depths at specific;
meridians or acupressure points to relieve pain and treat disease. Doctors in China do not generally use acupuncture to treat
psoriasis. However, several uncontrolled studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment for psoriasis. Much of the information concerning acupuncture is subjective and largely unsubstantiated by clinical studies.Some people saying they have been helped by it and others not. People who have tried it and have had improvement say it takes many treatments.
Acupuncture has no known side effects, so people interested in trying it have little to lose, other than the expense of the treatment. Interestingly it is gaining acceptance in main stream and is offered on the NHS in the UK by many
physiotherapy departments as a means of controlling pain in PA and Rheumatism.
Ayurveda
This ancient healing method originated in India more than 5,000 years ago.
Prevention rather than cures the key to Ayurvedic medicine. It encourages attention to
harmony and balance in one's life through diet, herbs, lifestyle and meditation. Managing disease and restoring health involves assessing the whole person as opposed to a specific complaint. For psoriasis, a specific treatment regimen could involve: topical application of certain
oils, fasting and cleansing the reduction of stress; and regular
physical exercise.
Manipulation
Several disciplines can be placed into the categorie of
manipulation.
Osteopathy and
Chiropratic are similar types of joint manipulation techniques. They are useful in realigning joints affected by tissue inflamation but care must be taken not to adversely affect an inflamed joint in the process. They can be very useful if there is the appearance of trapped nerves and sciatica type pain but there is little firm evidence to support there use in the condition of PA.
Massage of various types is very useful in relieving muscular pain and rehabilitation of joints once inflammation has died down.
Climatic effects
The majority people who get regular daily doses of
sunlight enjoy improvement or clearing of their psoriasis. Combined with saltwater bathing in the sea the exposure to natural sunlight can be a very effective short term remedy for psoriasis. The best-known treatment centre is the Dead Sea in Israel, where each year thousands of people with psoriasis and other skin disease go for the extensive safe sun exposure ( the sea is well below sea level and harmful rays are to a degree filtered out) and baths in the highly saline water. This treatment is very effective and safe in most cases, Other sites do exist around the world, but their facilities and reputation do not match that of the Dead Sea. back to top
Diet
There is no specific diet that people with psoriasis should follow. The best diet is the one that makes the individual feel the best, because people with psoriasis benefit from a
healthy lifestyle and eating habits, just like everybody else. Still, many people report that certain foods either aggravate or improve their skin. What works for one person will not necessarily work for another.
Dietary Supplements
The category of
dietary supplements covers a lot of ground ;from
vitamins to minerals to herbal products to a wide range of miscellaneous substances. In most cases, claims that a particular dietary supplement can improve or cure psoriasis have not been proven. Other supplements mentioned in various reference books include: burdock, milk thistle, yellow dock, red clover, mountain grape and sarsparilla. Taken in proper amounts, many supplements are probably harmless, but consumers are largely on their own in safeguarding their health. In addition, dietary supplements can interact negatively with prescription medications, so it is wise for people to inform their physician before they start taking a supplement, even a multi-vitamin.
Homeopathy
This is a school of medicine based on the premise that like cures like. Practitioners believe that substances that produce certain symptoms in a healthy person can cure diseases that have similar symptoms. As an example,
homeopathic Doctors might use a natural product known to cause stomach
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