Managing Arthritis with Ayurveda

Arthritis is a common condition that often strikes people after a certain age. Although fairly common, few people really know about arthritis. For instance, arthritis is not one condition. It is a blanket term for joint pain and diseases. There are actually more 100 types of arthritic conditions! In some rare cases, children can also develop arthritis.

It is a chronic condition where patients often suffer from joint pain. The pain can range from moderate to severe. It can come and go or remain constant. In severe cases it can even lead to disability. It is a progressive disease which often worsens with age. Conventional management of arthritis focuses on pain management through lifestyle changes or medication from franchise pharma company in India. However, the pain relieving medications can have unwelcome side effects.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Arthritis

Ayurveda takes a more holistic view of arthritis treatment. It is treated with combination of purification therapy and palliative treatment. Apart from pain management and reducing inflammation, it also focuses on improving metabolism. The metabolism is seen as important since arthritis is essentially a vatadosha.

According to Ayurveda, arthritis is caused by an imbalance of the vata dosha in the body. This imbalance causes improper digestion, which is seen as a negative effect on ouragni. Imbalancein agni causes toxins in the body, which eventually get deposited on our joints. The deposits block the supply of essential nutrients to the joints. This causes the joints to be inflamed with swelling and stiffness.

Hence, to understand the management of arthritis through Ayurveda, we have to understand vata and how we can keep it balanced in the body. The main aim is to strengthen the agni and remove the toxins in the body. The causes of vata aggravation include eating raw, dry, astringent, bitter, pungent, and cold foods in excess. Eating at irregular intervals, stress, lack of sleep, rest, relaxation and extensive travelling also effects the vata.

To regain vata balance we need a lifestyle change. We can also take Ayurvedic supplements that are available from franchise pharma company in India.

A proper Ayurvedic treatment for arthritis follows a combination of purification and strengthening therapies. Here are some Ayurvedic treatment for arthritis:

Virechan: This is a purification therapy that helps in cleansing gallbladder, liver and gastrointestinal tract. It also helps in the purification of blood. This is a multi-step process and can be administered in Ayurvedic centres and clinics. Under this treatment, the patient undergoes Sudation, Oleation and then Purgation therapies. The patient must follow a fasting and light diet afterwards. This purification method is seen as an essential initial step in the treatment of arthritis.

Abhyangam: This is relaxing and strengthening treatment where we use massage to lubricate and strengthen joints, while improving the surrounding muscle tone. It also helps in boosting blood circulation and reducing swelling of joints. The massage should ideally be carried out by a certified masseur. The masseur will follow a pressure and stroke movement in a synchronised manner.

A professional massage takes some 45 minutes. You can also do regular massage of your joints for quick relief at home. Take some castor or sesame oil and heat it till it is slightly warm. Gently massage your joints with it. For best effect, cover your joint with a plastic layer and wrap it with a warm towel. This will go a long way in relieving your pain.

Basti: This is an essential part of the purification therapy. There are 8 different types here and the right method depends on the condition of the patient. It cleanses the colon and uses different types of enemas, like oil enema and decoction enema. Many of these concoctions are available from franchise pharma company in India.

Upanaham: This therapy helps in pain relief and the reduction of swelling. Medicated herbal paste is applied and bandaged. It strengthens muscles, reduces swelling and promotes healing.

These therapies are just the initial start of the Ayurvedic treatment. Eventually it must be managed with a change in lifestyle. A strict diet regimen and regular exercise are the key in managing arthritis. The food you eat is quite important here and Ayurveda recommends food like turmeric, cinnamon and fenugreek for their anti-inflammatory properties. Medication from franchise pharma company in India can also help in pain management.