Dr Brianna Answers: How I Relieved My Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Naturally

People ask me all the time “How do you manage your RA?” So I wanted to share it here and hopefully help those I can.

What I’ll be sharing below also works for other autoimmune disorders. So whether you (or someone close to you) have RA or any other autoimmune conditions, please read on.

Before getting into it, I want to say that the best I can do is share my personal experience. These things I do work for me. But RA symptoms don't always show up the same way for everyone. 

Do take note that I am a Ph.D not an M.D. For specific medical advice, please reach out to specialists in your location

Highlight: For those who are looking for joint relief, this joint supporting bundle works great for me.

RA is by no means easy, but it doesn’t stop me from living a good life. (It used to confine me to bed!)

Here’s How I Manage My RA

This is the dealbreaker for how well everything else you do will improve your joints! It’s the first thing I did, right after my diagnosis. Just quit smoking - cold turkey. 

Smoking can increase inflammation and worsen RA like crazy. So it was actually partly why my RA developed so young for me. My symptoms were a lot less painful after I quit.

I used to love my greasy fish and chips. But that wasn’t good for my knees or my stomach. 

After being diagnosed, I did a complete 180 change in my eating habits. Now my daily diet consists mainly of fruits, salad, whole grains and lean protein. Just low sugar and low fat all the way. Over time, I’ve tailored my anti-inflammatory diet to suit my needs and what I love to eat. 

Makes life a lot simpler! To do this, search for “RA diet plans” and discover great meals and recipes to try online.

Other than the above, these daily habits really helped a lot in managing my RA:

Prepare heat and cold treatment. You can use heat packs to loosen stiff joints. And cold packs to cool down inflammations. (Can’t tell you how many times these have been lifesavers for me!)

Self-massage. Getting a warm soothing massage is always great. But in a pinch, your hands are amazing tools for kneading sore knees, feet, calves, hands, neck or arms.

Emotional regulation. Stress can trigger inflammation. So I always pay attention to how I am feeling and de-stress frequently through journaling.

Breathing exercises. I regularly tune in to my breath every day to stay sharp and focused in the present moment.

Regular exercise. Exercising won’t make RA symptoms worse, but it can be uncomfortable. So I usually choose low-impact exercises like swimming or yoga to loosen up my bones.

What I Take To Better Manage My Rheumatoid Arthritis

I take different types of natural superfoods and supplements to support my joints:

• I make my own anti-inflammatory smoothie with organic ingredients. My ingredients consist of fruits and vegetables that are known to target inflammation.
  
  Usually Spinach, Kale, Parsley, Blueberries, Ginger, Turmeric, Flax Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds and Bananas. For milk, I go dairy-free with either almond milk or coconut milk. I freeze the bananas overnight so the smoothie is cool and creamy after blending. And for something so healthy, it tastes amazing!
  
  
• Collagen Type I, II, III, V, and X makes up our skin, hair, joints and bones. But these start depleting at 20. That’s why I use this collagen which contains all 5 types of collagen in hydrolysed (most absorbable) form. They work great at keeping my joints loose and bouncy.
  
  
• I take Vitamin D2 and K3 every morning for better calcium absorption and stronger bones. It also helps in increasing energy levels and calming my mood. 
  
  
• When my energy is low, I take antidepressant meds prescribed by my doctor. Usually late in the day so that they can help me sleep better. But mostly I use natural remedies with similar functions. Like the KSM-66 Ashwagandha.
  
  
• KSM-66 Ashwagandha packs a powerful calming effect for me. Two capsules and I can feel a lift in my mood, energy and focus.
  
  
• Most people have heard about Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties. But here’s a bonus! I’ve noticed that it’s really great for raising my energy and regulating my mood too.
  
  Turmeric’s really impressive all-in-one support for RA. If I have to pick only one product to manage my RA, I’d go with Advanced Turmeric.
  
  
• I take Fish Oil for inflammations. But it’s also a great support for stronger bones, liver and heart. It has great health benefits to round off not only my RA care but my health care overall. 
  
  
• One RA damage that I really want to reduce is low bone density. That’s why I take this specially formulated bone strengthening product.
  
  
• The structure of the cartilage is made up of Glucosamine and Chondroitin. They are important for the health of the joints, bones, tendons and more. But as we age, our bodies produce less and less of these important compounds.
  
  So for me, taking this Glucosamine/Chondroitin complex is a gamechanger for my knee support.
  
  
• Magnesium has been great for my sleep! It helps my body to go into relaxation mode and put me in the mood for sleep. It also works well at keeping inflammation down.
  
  
• I still can’t give up meat completely so I’m only vegan on some days. On my “Vegan Days”, this vegan protein really helps me get the protein I need. All without raising my risk of inflammations (which animal protein tends to do).

On stressful days, I would take Advanced Stress Relief and Advanced Magnesium. These help me face the day with a clear mind.

I do this because stress can trigger a flare-up for me. And I'd rather avoid that before it happens.

If you have any questions about the products above, reach out to Autoimmune Institute. They have excellent support people who’d be happy to help you. 

On the last note, I really hope this helps you manage your symptoms and live a more fulfilling life.

All the best!

Dr Brianna