Holistic medicine in rheumatology: A complementary approach to modern medicine
Holistic medicine emphasizes preventive care by promoting lifestyle factors before the illness is developed. It plays a part in rheumatology and its various approaches to treatment.
Leading consultant rheumatologist Dr Dhiya Houssien tells us how he integrates holistic medicine into his innovative practise - where he treats patients using a combination of both traditional and alternative medicine - in this informative article.
What’s the key component of the holistic approach?
In my practice, I use a holistic approach in treating my patients with rheumatic autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by analysing the physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional and social aspects of the patient's lifestyle rather than focusing on the physical illness or specific parts of the body. Therefore, I do not simply focus on treating just the symptoms, but I also look for underlying causes of the disease to manage them. This approach builds trust and ensures that the treatment plan aligns with the patient's values and preferences.
What’s involved in dietary modification?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that all adults should aim for a healthy, balanced diet containing fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains, and limited free sugar, fat and salt. Nutrition plays a significant role, emphasising a balanced diet rich in whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Evidence from American College of Rheumatology and EULAR suggests that adherence to anti-inflammatory diets, particularly the Mediterranean diet, can reduce disease activity and improve symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
People with rheumatic autoimmune diseases and health professionals should work together to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
How does holistic care improve mental health?
Holistic general practice also highlights the importance of mental health. Regular mental health check-ups, counselling, and therapies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can support emotional well-being.
Addressing mental health is essential, as emotional distress can significantly impact physical health. It's very important to look at this factor, because several studies found that stress could increase the activity of disease and could cause or develop autoimmune rheumatic disease.
They found that mindfulness, meditation and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), are very important in improving the symptoms of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, or any rheumatic disease. They also found treatment of this will decrease anxiety and depression with patients with chronic rheumatic disease.
How does stopping smoking help?
Smoking is strongly associated with the development and severity of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, particularly through mechanisms like protein citrullination and autoantibody formation.
Stopping smoking has a meaningful impact on the course and management of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. It reduced disease activity with fewer flares, Improved response to treatments, including DMARDs and biologics, slower disease progression, with less joint damage over time, reduced cardiovascular risk, supports better lung function, lower systemic inflammation and improved immune balance.
Overall, stopping smoking is one of the most effective lifestyle interventions to improve outcomes, enhance treatment efficacy, and reduce long-term complications in autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
And what about sleep management? How does that play a part in holistic care?
Sleep management is a key component of holistic care in autoimmune rheumatic diseases because poor sleep increases pro-inflammatory cytokines, worsens fatigue, heightens pain sensitivity, and is associated with more frequent disease flares and reduced response to treatment.
In contrast, good-quality sleep helps restore immune balance, reduce systemic inflammation, and improve both physical and mental well-being. I've noticed that in my patients, because when I give patients natural or herbal medicine, I find the patient’s symptoms are much improved. They say: “my sleep has improved, and now I feel alright.” You can see how sleep affects disease activity.
Therefore, optimising sleep can lead to reduced disease activity, fewer flares, better pain control, and enhanced effectiveness of medications such as DMARDs and biologics. It also supports hormonal regulation, particularly the balance between cortisol and melatonin, which plays a crucial role in immune function. Overall, sleep acts as a natural, restorative therapy in managing autoimmune conditions.
Practical strategies include maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, minimising screen exposure before bedtime, creating a calm sleep environment, and avoiding stimulants late in the day. Addressing underlying sleep disorders is equally important.
How does non-drug treatment play a part in holistic medicine for rheumatic disease?
Non-drug treatment is referred to as complementary therapy. I use low-level laser. It’s been found in several studies that there’s no difference between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and low-level laser therapy in treatment of patients with pain. Now, several studies discovered there’s no difference between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and low-level laser treatment when they use it in optimal dose. Therefore, I use this method, where low-level laser is applied to acupuncture points to treat my patient, instead of using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
These are called disease-modifying drugs; one that people start with is methotrexate. Because its effects usually take time to manifest, I use low-level laser to give the patient relief until the effects start to show. Several studies and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the US have found there’s no significant complication for this device. You can use it with, or in addition to traditional therapy, or modern medicine like methotrexate or psilocybin, or any other drugs. You can go down this route instead of using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine. So, my method is more convenient than standard laser therapy, because instead of 12 sessions I try to reduce it to one or two, and improve pain from the first or second session.
How does your holistic approach to rheumatic medicine assist patients overall?
My approach to autoimmune rheumatic diseases integrates modern medicine with complementary therapies, which I’ve previously referred to; sleep, dietary modification, gut health, stress management physical activity, and reducing environmental triggers in addition to low-level laser therapy for pain management. I’ve found that if the patient adheres to these, the patient’s symptoms such as pain and fatigue, will improve from the first session or second session.
However, it’s very important the patient sticks with these things. Otherwise, the patient will find their symptoms haven’t gotten better because they didn't adhere to them. Importantly, this approach empowers patients with sustainable lifestyle changes and personalised care, aiming not only to control symptoms but to restore immune balance and long-term resilience.
Do you have a rheumatic disease, and would like to integrate a holistic approach into your treatment? Arrange a consultation with Dr Houssien via his Top Doctors profile.
