Alternative Psoriasis Treatment:

Self-treatment and the use of alternative treatments are becoming more common among people with psoriasis. In many cases, they have become tired of the challenge of finding a traditional therapy that works, or they may be concerned about the possible side effects associated with many of those therapies. Whatever the reason, the popularity of non traditional treatment approaches is growing as people continue to become disillusioned with ineffectual medical treatments.

Although most alternative treatments are perfectly safe, as opposed to most of the medical treatments involving drugs, it does pay to consult your Health Practitioner before starting any specific therapy or treatment for psoriasis if you are unsure.

Generally, psoriasis is a disorder of the skin that affects over 6 million residents of the United States. Though research has not definitively established what exactly causes psoriasis, some studies in recent years have indicated that it may be immune related. What is known is that psoriasis occurs when the body generates too many skin cells. Normal skin maturity occurs within a 28 to 30 day period, but cells in the psoriatic skin area matures within less than a week. Psoriasis can change from one to type to another and has been known to have several types active on a person at the same time. It can improve, flare up, and even go into remission only to return later. More detailed information can be found with the National Psoriasis Foundation.

Types Of Psoriasis

Plaque Psoriasis is the most common of all psoriasis types is called plaque psoriasis. Some of the symptoms of this form is inflamed lesions that may be covered with scales. These scales may be white or silver in color and is actually dead skin cells. Since the skin cells are maturing at such a rapid rate, this cell buildup is inevitable. This type of psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) can form on any skin surface, it is more common on the elbows, knees, scalp, and the trunk of the body.
Guttate Psoriasis is the symptom for this disorder is small red blemishes on the skin. It most often appears on the trunk of the body, but is also found on the arms and legs. It, too, have some scales. It has been noted that an outbreak of guttate psoriasis can follow streptococcal infections as well as a viral upper respiratory infection. Some illness such as the common cold, tonsillitis, and other sickness can trigger an outbreak of this type of psoriasis. It is suggested by some researchers that mental stress, some types of drugs, and immunizations can cause the disorder to appear.
Inverse Psoriasis is found in skin folds. These can be in the armpit, under the breasts, and in the groin. The symptom is an inflamed lesion without the usual scaling found in the other types of psoriasis. It becomes more noticeable when the skin is subjected to rubbing from clothing material and when the body sweats.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis appears on the skin as red skin with fine scales. It can be very irritating due to the severe itch and pain. Some swelling has been known to accompany this form of psoriasis. Topical treatment can help reduce the itching and the pain.
Pustular Psoriasis is noted for its pustules, or blisters. These pustules is neither an infection or contagious. The pus is made up of white blood cells and poses no danger to anyone who touches it. This disorder is usually found on the feet or hands, but has been known to affect people on other areas of the body. It can be cyclic; going from red, inflamed skin to the formation of the pustules and finally scaling.
Psoriatic Arthritis is found in 10% of those who suffer from psoriasis. This type causes swelling in the hands, feet, and in the large joints of the ankles, knees, hips, elbows, and the spine. Joint pain and stiffness accompanies this psoriasis. Joint damage has been known to occur if treatment is not applied.
Scalp Psoriasis effects approximately 50% of sufferers of psoriasis. The symptoms of this disorder are inflammation of the scalp, lesions covered with scales, and elevated skin surfaces.
Nail Psoriasis affects both fingernails and toenails. The nails can become yellow in color and thick. The nails can develop a brittleness and the skin surrounding the nails can become inflamed. Nails can become detached from the toe or finger.

Types Of Alternative Treatment

Acupuncture Treatment with roots in ancient China, this technique of relieving pain and treating disease involves inserting and manipulating fine needles in the body at varying depths at "meridians" or acupressure points. Acupuncture, though, is not a common way to treat psoriasis in China but there is evidence that it is an effective psoriasis treatment. This evidence is largely unsupported by clinical studies, and its success of varies from person to person. Generally, it takes many treatments in order to help. The benefits of this acupuncture include no side effects, so trying the treatment involves no risk of negative side effects. Acupuncture is becoming more widespread and accepted as a means of treating and controlling the pain associated with psoriatic arthritis and rheumatism.
Ayurveda Treatment is an ancient healing method based on prevention rather than cures, Ayurveda has roots in India thousands of years old. It is a more holistic approach, and does not focus on one affected area or one specific disease or condition. It focuses on balance though balancing lifestyle and meditation as well as a healthful diet and dietary supplements. This holistic approach to controlling psoriasis might involve reducing stress, cleansing the body, exercise, and oils for the skin.
Manipulation Treatment is used to describe any method of treating pain which includes realigning the joints, (such as Chiropractic). Manipulation of the joints must be done by a highly skilled person in order to avoid any risk that the practice might actually harm the inflamed joints rather than help them. There's little proof that manipulation is a helpful psoriasis treatment. However, massage can be very helpful in relieving the muscle pain and restoring joint health after the inflammation associated with psoriatic arthritis.
Environmental And Atmospheric Treatments there is widespread acceptance and studies to support the benefits of sunlight on psoriasis. Getting the most benefits from the sunlight involves getting regular doses of sunlight every day. When combined with saltwater bathing, particularly Dead Sea Salt bathing, sunlight is an impressive short term remedy for psoriasis. Every Year, thousands of people seek treatment at the Dead Sea in Israel, where they enjoy safe sun exposure, and bathing in the uniquely saline water. The rates of complete and dramatic clearing of psoriasis at the Dead Sea are unmatched anywhere in the world.
Diet it has been shown that a healthy diet and lifestyle benefits everyone, especially people with psoriasis. While there is no specific diet that people with psoriasis should follow, there is evidence that certain foods will contribute to either improving there are some connections between certain foods and the skin getting worse or clearing up. This must be is true for each individual with no general rules set guidelines of foods that are better or worse. It is helpful for patients to eat only what makes them feel the most healthy.
Dietary Supplements encompass vitamins, minerals and herbal products. These usually benefit the body as a whole, but there is no evidence that a particular any particular supplement is a cure for psoriasis. The supplements cited to as being beneficial to psoriasis include red clover, sarsaparilla, milk thistle and burdock. These most likely have no bad side effects if taken in usual doses. People who buy these supplements and others are responsible for safeguarding their own health. There is a risk that certain dietary supplements, even multivitamins, may interfere with prescription medications, and it is a good idea for patients to discuss with their doctor before starting any taking any new supplements.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Treatments is an ancient system of healthcare encompasses many different types of practices. A primary component of TCM involves compounds of herbal remedies, mixed uniquely for each patient. There are many formulas available for psoriasis treatment: topical, oral, and injectable. Given their history of development, these formulas deserve respect on their ability to help some patients. Some of these make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light and are combined with traditional phototherapy. It is important to keep in mind that these Traditional Chinese herbal preparations are not clinically produced and there can be variations that misuses occur that can have negative effects on people. There are many natural drugs which are very potent in humans, and should be used with care.
Treatment with Meditation/Relaxation There is no doubt that the mind is a very powerful aid in healing, and scientific evidence supports the fact that stress can trigger, as well as make psoriasis worse in some people. Meditation and relaxation and related practices that reduce stress are often beneficial to people with psoriasis.
Hypnosis has been referred to in several scientific studies as aiding in the clearing of psoriasis. These it has been found to double the rate of clearance that UV light therapy alone (another useful psoriasis treatment.) Both on its own and as a supplement to other psoriasis treatment, it has been cited as being helpful in clearing psoriasis in several published case reports. One study examined the use of meditation and guided imagery in patients undergoing ultraviolet light (UV) treatments. Patients who relaxed during the treatments cleared faster; in some cases, twice as fast as patients who had the light therapy alone. When practiced in conjunction with other alternative psoriasis treatments and traditional medical treatments, stress management, mental relaxation, or any means of giving patients a feeling of control over the negative mental aspects associated with psoriasis is helpful.
Herbal Therapies Taking a holistic approach to healing arthritis and rheumatism is essential when talking natural healing. Many different factors come into play including the very important factor of genetics, as well as psychological imbalances. The natural approach to healing generally accounts for a buildup of toxins in the system and these remedies serve to cleanse the system. There are many useful products that hare accepted as useful in treating arthritis and rheumatism, including Bog bean, Guaiacum, Black cohosh, Celery seed, Meadowsweet, Yarrow, Jamaican dog wort, Valerian, Passion flower and Capsicum. These have been used for many years by herbalists for arthritis treatment. These herbs have already been mixed into the most beneficial compounds to yield the best result. Because many natural compounds are inherently very potent and may be toxic, getting the right balance is an experimental process. It is a good idea if you intend to use these products to purchase a ready-made compound from either a pharmacy or a herbalist.
Topical Moisturizing Products Are indeed a very important part of healing psoriasis, many moisturizing agents can be considered natural treatments natural compounds products. One treatment which has been studied and found effective is aloe vera. Other substances which may be helpful due to their moisturizing properties include neem oil, emu oil, jojoba, among others, but these have not been proven scientifically to help psoriasis. Products including witch hazel, tea tree oil, mahonia ther aquifolium, capsaicin and evening primrose oil seem to have medicinal effects on the skin, and Capsicum (a natural component of hot peppers) is widely known to be an effective pain reliever when applied to the skin and to help relieve scaling, redness and itching. Bathing and moisturizing with oat- derivative products is soothing to may skin conditions.
Water Therapy is the combination of sea salts and water and is the basis of many powerful therapeutic treatments. There are numerous types of Water Therapy administered at spas, ayurvedic and holistic centers, and health clinics around the world. Sports therapy clinics use Hydrotherapy Baths to help patients recover from joint and muscle injuries. Dermatologists are recommending Bokek Dead Sea Salt baths for patients with psoriasis, eczema and other dry skin conditions. Estheticians emphasize the cleansing properties of a sea salt bath to clean pores and to detoxify the body. Cancer patients use water therapy to help deal with radiation treatments. There are even Water Therapies and therapeutic bath salts you can use on a daily or weekly basis in your own home. Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, discovered the therapeutic qualities of seawater by noticing the healing affects it had on the injured hands of fishermen. The seawater not only restricted infection risks, but patients who followed treatments involving the use of seawater found that it also promoted pain relief. It is now known that sea salt therapy is an effective treatment that assists in the rejuvenation of the cells and also induces a healthy exchange of minerals and toxins between the blood and the water.

Types Of Water Therapies

Balneotherapy - a range of treatments with warm mineral salt water, from bathing or underwater massage jets to plain drinking. Alkaline water helps stimulate the secretion of bile, while hypnotic water has diuretic effects and is often used for treating kidney stones.
Heliotherapy - use of the sun's creative properties. Despite recent awareness of skin cancers, sun remains an excellent source of energy, boosts immunity and stabilizes mood when used appropriately. Skin treatments combine this with sea salt baths but should only be used together under the supervision of a doctor.
Phytotherapy - treatments with wild-growing herbs, plants, flowers or leaves. Used in salt baths, oils or infusions, their effect can be superior to pharmacological treatments for some medical conditions. Perfect for combining with sea salts.
Thalassotherapy - therapeutic baths using warm seawater. The application of seawater (which is very similar to the body's own internal fluids) allows magnesium and potassium to be drawn into the blood stream while toxins are actively eliminated.

Psoriasis Information: Natural News 9/8/2009 - Treating Psoriasis With UVB Light Is Easier Than You Think

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