Lupus, Psoriasis & Rheumatoid Arthritis: How Functional Healing Helps

Published on: 23/May/2024
Posted By: Arka Health

Introduction: Living with Autoimmune Pain

Lupus, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis affect millions of people around the world, including many in India—and they all have one thing in common:
They hurt.

Whether it’s joint pain, skin flares, fatigue, or brain fog, autoimmune conditions like these can affect every part of your life.

Most people are told,

“It’s lifelong. You’ll need medication forever. Just manage it.”

But what if there’s another way?
One that doesn’t just suppress symptoms—but actually helps your body heal from the inside out?

That’s where Functional Healing comes in.

What Do These Conditions Have in Common?

Let’s break them down quickly:

Lupus (SLE): A systemic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks multiple organs—skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and more.
Psoriasis: An autoimmune skin condition that causes red, scaly patches, often linked to inflammation and gut imbalance.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): A condition where the immune system attacks the joints, leading to swelling, stiffness, and pain.

Even though these conditions look different on the surface, they share a common root cause:
➡️ An immune system that’s out of balance and chronically inflamed.

Why Conventional Treatments Don’t Go Far Enough

Conventional medicine focuses on managing symptoms, usually with:

Steroids
Immunosuppressants
Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
Biologics

These drugs are often necessary, especially during flare-ups. But they:

Don’t address what’s causing the immune system to overreact
Come with long-term side effects
May not prevent future flare-ups

Many people find themselves stuck in a cycle:
Flares → Stronger meds → Short relief → Flares again.

Functional healing offers a different path—a deeper one.

Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood.
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities (anhedonia).
Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, or worthlessness.
Irritability, frustration, or restlessness.
Changes in sleep patterns (difficulty sleeping or oversleeping).
Changes in appetite or unplanned weight fluctuations.
Fatigue, lack of energy, or feeling slowed down.
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Physical aches, pains, headaches, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause.
Thoughts of death or suicide. (If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for immediate help. Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or seek local emergency services.)

It’s important to remember that depression doesn’t look the same for everyone; symptoms can vary based on age, gender, and individual circumstances. Some might experience more irritability than sadness, while others might notice physical symptoms more prominently.

What Is Functional Healing?

Functional Healing (or Functional Medicine) is a root-cause approach that looks at the entire person, not just their diagnosis.

Instead of asking:

“What drug for what disease?”
It asks:
“What caused this imbalance in the first place?”

Functional healing looks at:

Gut health
Nutritional deficiencies
Inflammation
Stress and sleep patterns
Toxins and lifestyle triggers
Hormonal and metabolic function

It then creates a personalized healing plan to calm the immune system and restore balance.

How Functional Medicine Helps with Lupus, Psoriasis & RA

Let’s see how it works for each condition:

🌿 Lupus (SLE)

Often linked to leaky gut, toxin buildup, viral infections, and hormone imbalance
Functional healing focuses on gentle detox, immune regulation, and stress reduction
Supports liver, kidneys, and gut—organs that lupus often impacts

🌿 Psoriasis

Starts in the gut, not just the skin
Functional medicine improves gut flora, removes food triggers (like gluten and dairy), and reduces inflammation from the inside out
Skin begins to clear as the body calms

🌿 Rheumatoid Arthritis

Inflammation starts in the gut and immune system, not the joints
Functional medicine reduces triggers (food, stress, toxins), improves digestion, and supports nutrient repletion like vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3s
Result: less joint pain, stiffness, and long-term joint damage

Realistic Goals: What Healing Can Look Like

Let’s be clear—functional healing is not a cure.
But it can help you:

Reduce or eliminate flares
Feel more energetic and focused
Improve digestion, skin, sleep, and mood
Lower inflammation markers
Reduce your dependency on medications (under your doctor’s guidance)

It’s about reclaiming your life, not just surviving the symptoms.

5 Functional Healing Strategies You Can Start Today

You don’t need to wait for a diagnosis to begin healing. Start with these simple, science-backed steps:

✅ 1. Remove Inflammatory Foods

Cut back (or eliminate) triggers like:

Gluten
Dairy
Refined sugar
Seed oils (sunflower, soybean, canola)
Processed foods

✅ 2. Heal Your Gut

Your gut is where the immune system lives. Support it with:

Bone broth or vegetable stock
Stewed apples, cooked vegetables
Probiotics (curd from A2 milk, fermented veggies)
Gut-healing herbs: turmeric, ginger, cumin

✅ 3. Support Natural Detox

Help your liver and kidneys with:

Hydration (2–3L water/day)
Lemon water, coriander tea
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, moringa)
Sweat through movement or sauna (if available)

✅ 4. Sleep and Stress Management

Autoimmune flares often worsen with stress and poor sleep.

Daily habits to calm the system:

10-minute meditation or deep breathing
Early bedtime (before 11 PM)
Reduce screen time at night

✅ 5. Rebuild with the Right Nutrients

Many people with autoimmune issues are low in:

Vitamin D
Omega-3 fatty acids
Magnesium
B vitamins
Selenium & zinc

Add these through food and supplements (under guidance).

Final Thoughts: You Can Take Back Control

If you’re living with lupus, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis, know this:

👉 You’re not broken.
👉 Your body is sending messages.
👉 With the right tools and support, healing is possible.

Functional medicine doesn’t just treat your symptoms.
It helps you understand your body, support it naturally, and finally feel like yourself again.

💬 Ready to explore a personalized plan for your autoimmune symptoms?

At Arka Health, we help people heal from the root—using food, functional labs, and holistic care tailored to your unique biology.

👉 Book a free discovery call at arka.health

Conventional Approach	At Arka, We Offer...
CBT and Medication Only	CBT plus Limbic System Retraining for self-regulation
Talk Therapy	Energy Healing to release stuck emotional patterns
Generic Pain Management	Somatic & Trauma Healing to release trauma held in body muscles causing chronic pain
Surface-Level Mindfulness	Mind-Body Connection practices with deep energy alignment
Standard Psychiatric Support	Holotropic Breathwork and USIRU for deep subconscious release
Treatment with medication alone	Ketamine Therapy integrated with trauma-informed care
Nervous system overlooked	Vagus Nerve Stimulation to activate innate calming and healing pathways

With convention therapies we also try to move a step ahead by including :

Ketamine Therapy: For treatment-resistant depression and trauma, guided by skilled clinicians in a supportive setting.
Limbic System Retraining: Helping you rewire the brain’s stress and fear responses for long-term calm and clarity.
Energy Healing: Addressing emotional and energetic blockages that traditional therapies may miss.
Vagus Nerve Activation: Supporting the nervous system’s natural recovery via non-invasive methods.
Trauma-Informed Somatic Work: Releasing physical tension where trauma is held — often resolving chronic pain and fatigue.
Holotropic Breathwork & USIRU: Deep, experiential techniques that allow inner transformation without words.

If you’re looking for depression treatment in Bangalore that goes beyond just prescriptions, our team at Arka Anugraha Hospital is here for you. We pride ourselves on being one of the leading holistic mental health centers in Bangalore, offering functional psychiatry services that incorporate nutrition, mind-body therapies, advanced treatments, and compassionate psychiatric care.

Our integrative approach is also suitable for patients across India – even if you’re not in Bangalore, we offer telehealth consultations and can guide you on lifestyle and nutrition remotely, and invite you to visit us for specialized treatments like TMS or ketamine if needed. This pan-India approach ensures that anyone seeking a more natural, well-rounded strategy for mental wellness can access our services.

At Arka Anugraha, treatment is a partnership. You’ll work closely with psychiatrists, nutritionists, and therapists as a team. We educate and empower you at every step – whether it’s understanding how gut health affects mood, or learning how to use breathwork to calm anxiety, you’ll gain knowledge and tools to manage your mental health for life. And importantly, we approach every patient with deep empathy and respect. We know depression is not a sign of weakness or something you can just “snap out of.” It’s a real condition that can happen to anyone – hardworking professionals, parents, students, you name it. Our mission is to provide hope and healing through an integrative lens, tailored to the unique needs of each individual.

You don’t have to walk through depression alone. Help is available, and recovery is absolutely possible – we see it every day. An integrative approach might be the key that finally unlocks the improvements you’ve been looking for. If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, consider reaching out to explore these holistic options.

Take the first step towards healing today – Book a Free Discovery Call with Arka Anugraha Hospital. Our team will be happy to discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you on a path to a brighter, healthier future.

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