Alternative and Complementary Treatments
Learn about alternative and complementary treatments that can help ease the symptoms of eczema.
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Overview
What are alternative treatments and complementary treatments for eczema?
Western medicine, or conventional medicine, is not the only option for treating eczema. Many people with eczema turn to alternative and complementary methods to help manage eczema symptoms. These are typically treatments that are based in Eastern medicine practices or more natural therapies.
For example, some cultures have been practicing systems of holistic healing, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Indian Ayurvedic Medicine, for thousands of years. Though these remedies have stood the test of time, published research with data in the role of eczema is still limited. These types of treatments are not part of the modern medical system in Western countries.
The phrase “alternative treatment” refers to a patient using Eastern or natural treatments in place of conventional Western medicine. The phrase “complementary treatment” refers to a patient using both Western and Eastern medicine together to treat a condition. This means you use doctor-prescribed medications as well as natural therapies from Eastern practices to manage your eczema.
Research has shown that the following complementary and alternative therapies have helped ease certain symptoms of eczema in adults: traditional Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurvedic medicine and meditation. They are considered a whole body approach to treating eczema.
When should you try alternative and complementary treatments?
Before turning to any kind of treatment, whether it is traditional or alternative, you should always consult your medical professional. When trying alternative treatments for eczema for the first time, it’s best not to do so during a bad flare. Additionally, it is important to understand what triggers your eczema. Knowing what can cause a flare can help you manage your symptoms, whether you’re pursuing traditional or alternative treatments, or both.
Traditional Chinese medicine
What is traditional Chinese medicine?
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an ancient wellness practice that is centered on bringing balance to all aspects of health. TCM practitioners believe there is a vital life force called Qi that courses through the entire body, and when Qi becomes imbalanced, it can cause illness or disease. TCM looks at overall wellness and examines the root cause of conditions and aims to rebuild those systems so that they can work normally.
TCM encompasses a range of treatment modalities that are customized according to each person’s need. TCM includes: acupuncture, traditional Chinese herbs, tai chi, Qigong and massage techniques like cupping and Gua Sha. Learn more about some of these TCM methods below.
Eastern and Western medicine for eczema
Dr. Olivia Friedman, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, and Jeremy Parades, a patient with eczema discuss how Eastern and Western medicine can help eczema.
Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a key method within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in which a certified acupuncturist inserts tiny, super-thin needles into the skin on specific points on the body called “acupoints.” The technique is meant to balance the flow of energy or life force, called chi or qi, that flows through pathways in the body. Specific points along this pathway where needles are inserted are meant to restore balance. It is used as an alternative or complementary treatment for many conditions, including chronic pain, nausea, anxiety and depression. Acupuncture practitioners believe that acupoints stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue, which naturally helps ease pain.
How does acupuncture help eczema?
Though it is an ancient practice, it cannot be scientifically proven. However, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, research suggests that acupuncture can help manage certain pain conditions.Studies on the effects of acupuncture and eczema are limited, but one published in the December 2018 issue of Complementary Therapies in Medicine was a randomized study of 30 people and found that acupuncture improved mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, particularly in controlling itch.1
What are the risks of acupuncture?
The risks of acupuncture are low, as long as you work with a certified acupuncture practitioner using sterile needles. The risk of infection is very low because single-use, disposable needles are now the practice standard. However, not everyone is a good candidate for acupuncture. Those with a bleeding disorder, a pacemaker and pregnant people should avoid it due to increased risk of complications.
How do you find an acupuncturist for eczema?
If you are interested in trying acupuncture, talk to your medical provider about it, since they can take your individual diagnosis and treatment plan into account. Be sure to check your acupuncturist’s credentials. Also note that the treatment is not always covered by insurance, so look into the cost first. Finally, make sure the acupuncturist has practiced on eczema patients before.
Traditional Chinese herbs
What is traditional Chinese herb treatment?
Traditional Chinese herbs are a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Chinese herbs can take the form of liquid extracts, capsules, powders or topicals, so that the herbal medicine can treat the skin from both the inside and the outside.
How do traditional Chinese herbs help eczema?
One of the perks of traditional Chinese herbs is that the formulas can be customized for each patient, down to the dosage and ingredients, based on the individual’s eczema condition. There are more than 10,000 herbs used in TCM, which are mainly sourced in the leaves, stems and roots of certain plants. Just one formula can include 10 to 30 different herbs and they can have antibiotic, antibacterial or anti-inflammatory properties, depending on the blend. The formulas can be tweaked as the patient’s eczema evolves.
Tai chi and qigong
What is tai chi and qigong?
Tai chi and qigong were developed thousands of years ago in China as a part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). These ancient mind-body practices blend breathing with body movement and meditation to attain focus, clarity and relaxation.
Tai chi and qigong combine elegant movements with diaphragmatic breathing to help circulate vital energy called Qi in order to achieve balance between the body and mind. Tai chi and qigong are often paired. Tai chi is considered a form of qigong — it’s one of the many forms of qigong exercises. Breath is usually slow, long and deep, and movements are gentle and smooth to promote relaxation.
How does tai chi and qigong help eczema?
Some people with eczema believe these gentle exercises have helped them reduce stress, lower inflammation and distract from itch. It’s a way to focus on meditation through breath and movement.
Ayurvedic medicine
What is Ayurvedic medicine?
Ayurvedic medicine, also known as Ayurveda, is an ancient system of medicine that started in India more than 5,000 years ago. “Ayurveda” is a Sanskrit word that means “knowledge of life.” Like TCM, Ayurveda aims to maintain an equilibrium in the body through customized methods that span herbs, oils, dietary changes, massage and mind-body practices like yoga and meditation.
Doshas are a cornerstone of Indian Ayurvedic medicine, which are life forces that help people realize which mind-body imbalances they may be susceptible to. Doshas are used to explain how each type functions and is impacted by different external factors, such as diet and skincare products. There are three doshas: vata, pitta and kapha.
How does ayurveda help eczema?
Eczema is caused by imbalances in the skin and immune system, so because Ayurvedic medicine focuses on a holistic, personalized approach to restore balance, an Ayurvedic practitioner will treat eczema by examining everything from your diet to your skincare products to exercise and stress management. After this assessment, the practitioner will prescribe specific foods, oils, exercise and mind-body practices to restore balance to the body and mind.
The studies on the impact of Ayurveda and eczema are limited. But if you decide to pursue Ayurveda, work with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner who will collaborate with your physicians.
Meditation
What is meditation?
Meditation can help you learn to control some functions of your body, including your heart rate. Mindfulness meditation is a mental exercise in which a person focuses on a particular object, thought or activity to train their brain to keep their concentration on the present moment. This can help bring them mental clarity and a state of emotional calmness.
How does meditation help eczema?
A mind-body practice like meditation can be helpful for treating eczema symptoms, particularly because stress can provoke flares. There is still much to learn about the correlation between stress and eczema, but research has shown that experiencing a stressful ordeal can trigger your body to produce inflammation, which is an underlying cause of eczema.
Mindfulness and meditation for eczema
Amanda Lopez, who lives with atopic dermatitis, and Dr. Zelma Chiesa Fuxench talk about eczema and stress, mindfulness techniques and more.
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References:
1. SeHyun Kang, Yu-Kang Kim, Mijung Yeom, Hyangsook Lee, Hyunchul Jang, Hi-Joon Park, Kyuseok Kim, “Acupuncture improves symptoms in patients with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis: A randomized, sham-controlled preliminary trial,” Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Volume 41, 2018, Pages 90-98, ISSN 0965-2299, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2018.08.013.
