Psychogenic rheumatism treated with individualised homoeopathic medicine in a 12-year-old child: A case report

Background: Psychogenic Rheumatism refers to those states wherein the symptoms of pain, stiffness, subjective sense of swelling, or restricted range of motion in the muscles or joints are triggered, exaggerated, or maintained by psychological factors. Patients suffering from this complain of pain in muscles and joints but have no arthritis and do not develop it. Medical examination and laboratory tests are usually negative, which make diagnosis and treatment challenging. However, a holistic approach with Homoeopathy in this condition can make a significant contribution, addressing both resolution and the prevention of recurrence. Case Summary: A 12-year-old male child reported with complaints of polyarthralgia from the last 18 months and throat pain while swallowing for 2 months. Generalized morning stiffness in the cervical and lumbar region along with pain in the knee and ankle joints were the main complaints. After a thorough life space study and detailed medical history assessment, the case was clinically diagnosed as Psychogenic Rheumatism. The patient was given individualised homoeopathic remedy Pulsatilla in LM potency as a single dose every day along with psychotherapeutic measures and followed up for 6 months. In this case, the outcome and causal attribution of the changes were evaluated using the Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homoeopathy. The score was +11 showing the favourable association between the intervention and the outcome. Conclusions: This case demonstrates the beneficial impact of individualised homoeopathic medicine in the management of Psychogenic Rheumatism. Diagnosing this condition is challenging. However, life-space studies and anamnesis help reach a conclusive diagnosis. The holistic approach of Homoeopathy has always been a stronghold in the treatment of Psychosomatic disorders.