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Active Living With Psoriatic Arthritis > Expert QA > Are There Any Effective Alternative Treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis?

Are There Any Effective Alternative Treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis?

I recently was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. I'm a very health-conscious person and, if possible, I'd like to explore alternative treatments for my psoriatic arthritis (acupuncture, herbal supplements, etc.). Have any been proven to be effective?

Answer

Acupuncture and massage are techniques that could decrease stress levels, which may help with psoriatic arthritis, since stress can aggravate symptoms. Preliminary studies have shown that bathing in Dead Sea minerals can reduce tender points in active joints, but more studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of this therapy.
 
Zinc therapy is not recommended alone or in combination with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because it has been found to have no effect on the course of psoriatic arthritis.
 
Black cohosh, celery seed, chaparral, feverfew, bogbean, nettle, yucca, and saffron have been suggested for psoriatic arthritis, but there is no good evidence to show benefit with any of these products. It is important that you talk to your healthcare providers before starting any herbal medications, as these products could interact with prescription medications and other medical conditions.
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Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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