Lupus is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that it causes the body to attack itself. Since it targets various joints, organs, and tissues, pain in these areas is no surprise. There is no pharmaceutical cure for lupus, so pain management is the standard medical approach for handling the condition. On the other hand a holistic approach can prove effective at putting lupus into remission and alleviating the devastation complications as well as the painful symptoms.
Whether your lupus or other autoimmune condition is triggered by hormone imbalance, viral, bacterial or fungal stressors, food allergies, chemical toxicity, insulin surges, leaky gut, fatty liver, nutritional deficiencies, anxiety or stress, at Hoyt Integrative Health, we have years of experience providing residents of Murrieta, Temecula, and the surrounding areas with a functional medicine approach.
How Lupus Causes Body Pain
Lupus causes pain through:
Myalgia
Inflammation is the primary cause of muscle pain and aches. Whenever someone suffers from inflammation, a common symptom that will accompany it will be muscle pain. Since lupus has an inflammatory effect on various body parts, it can lead to myalgia.
Lupus Arthritis
Lupus arthritis causes discomfort in the form of pain, stiffness, tenderness, and swelling of your joints. Joints furthest from the spine are affected the strongest. You may experience pain in your fingers, wrists, knees, ankles, toes, and elbows. People who have lupus often experience general stiffness when they wake up. Lupus arthritis may cause inflammation that affects similar joints on both sides of your body.
Lupus Myositis
People with lupus sometimes develop myositis, which is an inflammation of the skeletal muscles that results in weakness and loss of strength. Lupus myositis often affects the neck muscles, pelvis, thighs, shoulders, and upper arms. As these symptoms manifest, you may experience difficulty moving and lifting objects. Because of the inflammation, you will likely feel pain in the affected areas.
Tendonitis and Bursitis
Tendons are the rope-like fibers that attach muscles to the bones, while a bursa is a tiny sac containing slippery fluid found close to the joints which facilitate the movement of bones, muscles, and tendons. Irritation of these areas can come about as a result of overuse. Both tendons and bursas have a synovial membrane lining that is susceptible to inflammation from lupus.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is inflammatory pressure on the central nerve in the wrist. Common signs include tingling, numbness, or pain in the fingers or the whole hand. With some functional medicine strategies, you can manage these symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Holistic Care for Lupus-Related Pain
Despite having no pharmaceutical cure, remission of lupus can be accomplished through a thorough evaluation and testing followed a functional medicine approach. The outward painful manifestations may be the first red flag that something more destructive and life threatening is going on inside. For more information on functional medicine or to schedule an appointment, call Hoyt Integrative Health at (951) 973-0773.