What scares most of us as we grow older are the limitations of the progressive disabilities we develop along the way – as well as their associated pains. Progressive joint diseases that slow down and hinder our lifestyles are collectively called arthritis. The degeneration leads to the joints becoming inflamed, hardened and swollen, thereby restricting movement and causing pain and disabilities.
Thought there are a host of types of arthritis, the two major types of arthritis include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis with the main difference between them being that the former is due to wear-and-tear while the latter is due to a chronic autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks itself. The disease may involve inflammation of the knees, hips, lower back, neck, jaw, finger joints or even some internal tissues.
Fortunately, the 5000-year-old ancient science of ayurveda has an answer to this problem too. Though many are of skeptical of the unknown, billions of people have been keeping their faith in ayurvedic treatments over numerous generations; in the current scenario, it gains more importance as this form of therapy has no side-effects as well its efficacy in healing a myriad of issues ranging from the common cold, down to virulent cancers.
Over the last decade, ayurvedic treatments have been garnering greater attention globally because of their holistic approach towards treatment using natural remedies and herbal medicines. The treatment usually involves a personalized ayurvedic diet and life styles based on the mind-body constitution called prakriti along with a detoxification regime and herbal medicines to activate and strengthen the body’s appropriate healing response. In many studies, ayurvedic treatment has been seen to outperform conventional treatment for certain disease conditions.
India’s premier medical institute, AIIMS, in a scientific study for validating traditional therapies, found that some ayurvedic formulations were quite effective in treating irreversible disease conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, a debilitating disease that causes irreversible joint damage. They found that ‘Ashwagandha’ powder which is derived from a plant, along with ‘Sidh Makardhwaj’ which is a herbal formulation with some mineral ingredients, was very effective in providing relief from painful swollen joints as well as promoting mobility. They found that Ashwagandha contains anti-inflammatory, anti-stress as well as immuno-modulatory properties, all of which help in improving joint function in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
Some common foods have also been found to provoke RA symptoms and include in the decreasing order: corn, wheat, pork, oranges, milk, oats, rye, eggs, beef, coffee, cheese, tomatoes, peanuts, butter, lamb, lemon and soya, with corn and wheat believed to be the worst culprits. On the other hand, fish and fish oil, ginger (5gm three times a day), turmeric (curcumin) and garlic are all useful. Other beneficial foods include raw potato juice, raw bitter gourd juice, celery seed extract, etc.
Rheumatoid arthritis:
Rheumatoid Arthritis is caused due to inflammation of joints. This is an autoimmune disease and occurs when body’s own immune system attacks the healthy tissues. Rheumatoid Arthritis is characterized by pain, inflammation, redness and swelling of joints. This inflammation may also spread to the other parts of the body, such as the muscles, blood vessels, nerves and eyes.
Juvenile arthritis:
Juvenile Arthritis is an inflammatory arthritic conditions that can develop in children aged 16 and younger. This type of Arthritis also causes inflammation of joints
Psoriatic arthritis:
Psoriatic Arthritis is a type of chronic inflammatory Arthritis which occurs in people suffering from a skin condition called Psoriasis. Psoriatic Arthritis is characterized by symptoms such as painful, swollen joints, morning stiffness, and fatigue.
What are the Common Symptoms of Arthritis?
The symptoms of amavata as told in Ayurveda include,
- Angamarda or body ache
- Aruchi or tastelessness
- Trishna or Excessive thirst
- Alasya or lethargy
- Gourava or heaviness in body
- Jwara or feverishness
- early morning stiffness in the joints
- pain in the joints ( similar to the pain as stung by a scorpion)
- Other symptoms such as constipation, indigestion, fullness of abdomen, lack of sleep
Get rid of Arthritis pain
Is There An Ayurvedic Therapy that Works to Cure Arthritis Pain?
The signs and symptoms of Arthritis in modern science can be correlated to that of Amavata in Ayurveda. As the name suggests, vitiated Vata Dosha and Amavata or undigested or improperly formed food essence in the body are the main culprits for the disease. The leading cause of Amavata is the altered state of digestion and metabolism caused by unhealthy food habits when there is diminished digestive power due to the advancement of age. It results in Sandhivata (osteoarthritis); a common problem in the older adults, which causes chronic disability and affects the quality of life.
Ayurvedic therapies such as Virechan, Abhyangam, Basti, and Upanaham offer cure for Arthritis by correcting the digestion process and metabolism. These treatments involve medicated oils to lubricate the joints and strengthen the muscles around them. Moreover, the Ayurvedic oral medications such as guggul and sallaki work in combination with the therapies to provide positive results and improve the quality of life of the affected individual.
List of Ayurvedic-treatments for arthritis
Virechan: Virechan is a part of Panchakarma therapy and is effective against the disorders associated with Pitta. It induces the cleansing of gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, and liver from toxins in order to pacify the Pitta to remove its disorders. Virechan also purifies the blood. The patient first undergoes Sudation and Oleation therapies with the administration of medicated ghritams, which bring vitiated vata Doshas to the Next, the patient is subjected to Purgation after assessing the condition. The patient then experiences frequent bowel movement indicating the effect of the dose and the removal of Doshas through anal route. After the therapy, the patient is required to observe fasting and then take a light diet. Virechan detoxifies the body and relieves numerous health problems such as Arthritis, Gout, Skin disorders, Cardiac disorders, Jaundice, Gallstone, Obesity, and Allergies.
Abhyangam: Abhyangam is a relaxing full body massage with medicated oils. This therapy lubricates the joints and improves the tone of the muscles supporting the joints by strengthening them. Abhyangam boosts blood circulation and promotes the quick removal of metabolic wastes to reduce inflammatory pain caused due to Arthritis.
Two therapists apply herbal oils all over the body of the patient in seven different positions by applying strokes and pressure in a synchronised manner for 45-50 minutes. The rhythmic motion eliminates the stiffness in joints and muscles, balances the Doshas and also treats the whole body Physically, Mentally and Emotionally. Abhyangam treats problems such as Arthritis, Spondylosis, Paralysis, Insomnia, and also bolsters Immunity and provides general well-being.
Basti: Basti is an essential part of Panchakarma, which is highly effective against the Vata It cleanses the colon wherefrom numerous vata problems arise including Arthritis. There are eight types of Basti, which are used depending on the condition of the patient.
In this therapy, oil enema or decoction enemas in a liquid medium are introduced into the rectum. This procedure causes the flushing out of unwanted toxins and Vata Doshas from the body.
Basti treats vata disorders such as Arthritis, Gout, Rheumatism, Headaches, and Muscle spasm. Moreover, it relieves Sexual disorders, Kidney stones, Heart pain, Constipation, and Sciatica.
Upanaham: Upanaham is an effective Ayurvedic therapy for joint pains caused due to Arthritis. It nourishes the tissues and treats OsteoArthritis and also subsides the swelling and localised pain resulted from joint injuries.
The therapy involves the application of warm and medicated herbal paste which is then covered with pain-relieving herbal leaves and finally bandaged with a cotton cloth. This bandage is then removed after a few hours.
Upanaham improves circulation, promotes healing and strengthens the muscles. It relieves the Arthritic Joint Pain and Swelling.