Ayurvedic Arthritis Treatment
Nowadays, for arthritis treatment, Ayurveda plays a very important role in treating it as soon as possible. Near about 30% of the population suffers from Arthritis according to (WHO) World Health Organization. Decades ago, Arthritis is known as a geriatric disease (old age disease). whereas now at the age of 35, most of the arthritis patients come to our clinic. Many Pathys claim that they cure arthritis. Arthritis treatment using a way of Ayurveda is a special one because Ayurveda has no side effects, and it has a higher success rate.
Arthritis is a disorder of the joint. Joint swelling, pain, change in color, and increased temperature at joints are commonly known as arthritis. Affected joints can be small joints like the interphalangeal joint of fingers. Similarly, they can also be large joints like the knee joint, hip joint, and intervertebral joint. Commonly arthritis is of three types –
1) Osteo Arthritis
2) Rheumatoid Arthritis
3) Gaut
In Ayurveda, all these types are briefly described. According to Ayurveda, their causes, symptoms, and treatment are very much different. 3 Doshas are found in our body. They are as Vata, Pitta & Kapha. Generally, an increase in Vata Dosha causes arthritis.
Causes of Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is due to degeneration & porosis of bones and joints.
Causes of osteoarthritis are-
Excessive walking.
Excessive upstairs and downstairs.
Running.
Cycling.
History of trauma.
Constipation.
Overeating of dry, cold food items.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is due to disturbance of metabolism, indigestion, loss of appetite, and heavy meals. Also, working in water immediately after eating, indigestion from cold food items, and the result of some other diseases these all above are some issues related to rheumatoid arthritis.
Gout Arthritis is known as Vatrakta in Ayurveda. Ingestion of acidic, spicy, pungent food, pulses, traveling immediately after dinner or lunch, and disturbed protein metabolism these all above are some reasons for gout arthritis.
Symptoms of Arthritis
- Joint Pain.
- Joint Swelling.
- Cracking sound at the joint.
- Deformity at joint.
- Change in color of skin covering the joint.
- Stiffness of joint.
- Neck pain, Back pain, Knee pain, Ankle pain, Heel pain.
- Temperature.
Ayurvedic Arthritis Treatment
While talking about arthritis treatment, patients who have a Vata-related disease must have some patience. The ayurvedic therapy gives quick symptomatic relief for arthritis. But to cure it permanently, the duration of treatment may increase. In today’s era, Ayurveda Panchakarma therapy is the only successful remedy to treat arthritis permanently. There is no benefit to the patient by consuming painkiller tablets or injections of allopathy medicines. Instead of the use of allopathy medicine, Ayurveda panchakarma therapy is 100 times better. There is no single side effect of this Ayurvedic panchakarma treatment.
While taking arthritis treatment, the selection of ayurvedic medicine and panchakarma therapy depends according to the type of arthritis, the intensity of symptoms and pain, Bala, and Prakruti of the patient. Vatahara tablets, oils, various herbal medicinal decoctions, and powders are used for treatment. In Panchakarma, there were Abhyagam, Swedanam, Basti, Virechanam, Agni karma, Vedhanam, Raktmokshan, and Lepanam these therapies are used.
Spondylosis, Back Pain, Vertebral Problems & Ayurveda Treatment
Back pain is the main cause of disability. Many causes are resulting in back pain. Also, there are many diseases related to back pain like Slip Disc, Disc Prolapse, Disc Tear, Spondylosis, Spondylitis, Sciatica, cervical spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis, etc. Many patients take allopathy medicines like painkillers, steroids, etc but are of no use, tired of it, suffer many side effects, and then come towards Ayurveda. In Ayurveda, the root cause is to be found out and then treatment starts. Ayurveda treatment has no side effects.
Spondylosis is age-related degenerative osteoarthritis of the vertebral column. In this disc in between two vertebrae get degenerates hence nerves coming through the spinal cord get compressed. Spondylitis is rarely found and is a condition of inflammation.
In some cases of back pain, the sciatic nerve gets compressed, and pain, irritation, tingling numbness occur toward sciatic nerve distribution is called sciatica.
Causes
- Heavy traveling
- Improper position of sleeping, seating, standing, walking.
- Constipation
- History of trauma to back.
- Improper diet.
- Anxiety, Stress, Tension.
- Heavy weight lifting.
- Menstrual Irregularities.
- Age-related changes.
- After pregnancy, after the Caesarian section.
Symptoms
- Neck Pain, Back Pain, Waist Pain
- Tingling numbness of hands and feet.
- Neck & Back stiffness
- Vertigo
- Tiredness
- Sciatic Pain
- Dizziness and headache.
- Anxiety, Stress, Tension
Treatment
In Ayurveda, many panchakarma therapies and a variety of medicines are available for cervical spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis, back pain, sciatica, spondylitis, disc tear, and disc prolapse.
If not much severity is there then only ayurvedic medicines like Rasna, Nirgundi, Bala, and Ashwagandha-like herbs along with some decoction, tablets, and Lepa work well.
Along with these medicines some yoga postures, Asanas, Pranayamas better work.
If the problem is major like Disc prolapse, Disc tear, or Spondylosis then panchakarma is better to do.
In Panchakarma, we suggest Kati Basti, Manya Basti, Pindaswed, Patrapottali Shek, Abhyangam, Oil massage, herbal steam, different types of enemas, Lepas, Agnikarma, Raktmokshan, etc. By doing all the above panchakarma procedures along with ayurvedic medicines we completely cure back pain problems.
Osteoporosis
- Bones turning brittle due to the reduction of calcium in it is osteoporosis. Age-related osteoporosis and post-menopausal osteoporosis are two main types. The basic problem is that bone resorption outpaces bone deposition. In large part, this is due to the depletion of calcium from the body. Calcium is lost in the urine, feces, and sweat then absorbed from the diet. Bone mass becomes so depleted that bones easily fracture. Osteoporosis causes shrinkage of vertebrae, height loss, hunched backs, and bone pain. Females are more prone.
- According to Ayurveda osteoporosis is an Asthikshay. Asthi Dhatu Poshan Chikitsa, aahar, Vihar is very helpful. Adequate natural calcium intake, Asthi pachak Dravyas like ashwagandha, Guduchi, and Asthishrunkhala plants are used. sesame oil massage, swedan, and Panchatikta ghrut kshir basti Chikitsa for 14 days is highly recommend for osteoporosis.
Osteoarthritis
- Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease and it can occur in one joint or more than one joint, but more common in weight-bearing joints like the knee. It causes the cartilage tissue covering the ends of bones to wear away. Arthritis is the inflammation of the synovial joints of the body and is one of the most common of all disabling diseases.
- Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative arthritis commonly seen in middle and old age, especially in overweight.
- Common symptoms are Pain, redness and stiffness, muscle weakness, swelling, reduced range of motion, and cracking and creaking sound of joints.
- There is a complete cure for osteoarthritis by Ayurveda medicines and panchakarma treatment. In panchkarma generally, sarvang abhyanga (full body massage), Sarvang swedan (Steam bath), Yog basti(medicated enema), Janu basti, and Aushadhi lepas are recommended. Basti gives a tremendous result in osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Auto immunity
- Rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis. It is a crippling disease, which affects not only the joints of fingers, wrists, and hips. knees and feet but also the muscles, tendons, and other tissues of the body. There is a complete cure for this disease in Ayurveda. It is an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmunity is the natural defense system of the body. A trigger like an acute emotional disturbance or chronic emotional disturbance due to hectic lifestyles is necessary to disturb the natural auto-immune system mechanism of the body. This leads to failure to distinguish self from non-self. In the case of joints autoimmune system attacks the cartilage producing joint damage.
- According to Ayurveda, Rheumatoid arthritis is Aamvata. Indigested food material leads to the formation of Aam(toxin), gets deposited in joints, and obstructs the way of Vata. It is generally young, mainly in females. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis as per Ayurveda is Pachan of Aam and nullify excessive vata. Treatment includes some ayurvedic medicines for deepan, pachan, Vatahar, and panchakarma treatments. Panchkarma like Vaitarana basti, powder massage (udhvartan), sarvang swedan, ruksha swed, virechan, agnikarma. Shirodhara also need for patient to relives the stress and anxiety.
Spondylosis
- Spondylosis can be considered osteoarthritis of spinal joints. Cervical & Lumbar are the most vulnerable joints for spondylosis. Due to the wrong lifestyle, all joints in the entire spine may suffer, resulting in the condition known as Anchelo- Spondylosis. The intervertebral disc gets shrunken, reducing the space (the height of a person gets reduced), and osteophytes formed by the sites of the spinal joints stimulate the nerve passing through, hence pain. Acute sprain is known as Spondylitis.
- Spine-related diseases treated by ayurvedic medicines and panchakarma therapy. In panchakarma, Kati basti, Manya basti, patra-pottali massage, pind swed, and yog basti(medicated enema) are recommended. Some yoga postures like Hastpadasan, Katichalan kriya, shwanasan, sulabh pavan muktasan, Uttan tadasan also gives positive results.
Slipped or Herniated Disc
- Intervertebral discs are cushions between the vertebrae of our spinal column. The outer part is made up of tough cartilage and the Centre has a soft, gelatin substance. The disc, when under intolerable pressure, loses its cushioning effect, tears, ruptures, or herniate thus reducing gap between vertebrae. Part of the jelly within the disc pushes through the outer wall and leaks into the spinal column thus putting pressure on the nerves. Herniated disc are very painful.
- Kati basti of sahachar tail for 30 min daily 21 days gives complete cure in slip disc. Pind swed, patra-pottali massage, agni karma, kal basti also useful.
Sciatica
- Sciatica refers to sharp, lightning-like pain that starts in the lower back and then shoots down the back of the leg. Pain may be experienced in the buttocks, thighs, or calf through the root of problems lies in the lower back region. It causes weakness, numbness, burning, and sensation in the lower back and legs.
- Sciatica is narrate as Grudhrasi in Ayurveda. Pratilom oil massage, Shashi-shall pind swed, Patra-pottali massage, Kati basti, yog basti, and some vata, pitta Nashak Ayurvedic medicines are used.
