How to Treat Psoriasis Holistically

Psoriasis is a skin disorder that affects nearly 3 out of 10 Americans. It is a non-contagious disease and the most common symptom is red, irritated areas of skin. The condition is caused by the overproduction of skin cells, which present as scaly, white plaques or lesions on the skin's surface. Holistic treatment focuses on the elimination of nitrogenous waste and the balancing of the body's internal buildup of toxins, which results in the outward effects.

Holistic treatments largely include oral herbal supplements to support balance, not only in the physical, but in the emotional, social, spiritual and environmental as well. Here are some tips when considering holistic treatment options for psoriasis.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Biofeedback
• Relaxation
• Nutrition
• Diet
• Acupuncture
• Ayurveda treatment
• meditation
• yoga
• stress reduction therapy

1. Keep in mind that holistic treatments are often considered to be “alternative,” therefore statistics evaluating the effectiveness of these options are often inconclusive if not unavailable. This is also due to the fact that what works for one person might not work for the majority of others. Some of these methods have had positive effects on certain patients and are definitely worth trying. Use relaxation therapy, medication and yoga to help reduce the anxiety and treat the underlying psychosomatic component of psoriasis.

2. Consider your diet and dietary supplements. A healthy, well-balanced diet, while beneficial to all, has proven to be especially helpful for people with psoriasis. Although there does not currently appear to be a prescribed diet for patients with psoriasis, there is strong evidence that different foods have definite but different effects on individual cases. Keep track of what you are eating and how it is affecting your condition; this is true for other skin conditions as well.

3. Consider the various holistic treatments out there. Because there are so many holistic options, one holistic option not working cannot indicate how effective another option may be. For instance, acupuncture treatment involve inserting and manipulating needles in strategic acupuncture points, whereas ayurveda treatment involves the use of meditation. Acupuncture has shown to be an effective treatment of psoriasis, while ayurveda is more focused on prevention. Also, manipulation (or chiropractic) treatment involves the realigning of joints, but there is less evidence of this helping with psoriasis.

4. Use your mind and don’t stress out. Stress seems to be a very important agitator of psoriasis. Do your best to avoid stressful circumstances and consider taking your mind off of something while it is evoking strong emotions in order to revisit the situation in a more level-minded setting.

Tips & Warnings

• This article is not a substitute for seeking medical consultation with your own medical doctor or healthcare professional.

Resources

• National Institutes of Health
• Holistic Treatment of Psoriasis
• Dr Susan Jewell