Joint disorders & Ayurveda
Joint disorders & Ayurveda
February 15, 2024
According to Ayurveda, term ‘sandhi’ means articulation of two or more bones. Various disease conditions which affect the joints are explained in the ancient science of life, Ayurveda. Based on the researches and detailed descriptions of the diseases, we can correlate the diseases mentioned in the Ayurveda with those explained in contemporary medical science. Sandhivata (osteo arthritis), Sandhishul (painful joint), Sandhisopha (edematous joint), Amavat(arthritis), Vatarakta (gout) and Sandhishaithilya (osteoporosis) are some of the references of joint disorders in Ayurveda treatises.
Among the doshas (body humors), Vata is the main dosha coupled with joints. Asthi (bones) is considered as abode of vata dosha. The health of asthi dhatu (bone tissue) is essential to fend off from joint disorders. Vata dosha is responsible for all the movements of body, including that of joints. When Vata dosha become morbid, it combines with other doshas, raktha (blood) to manifest various joint disorders. Joint disorders are generally slow in progress and need to be addressed in time. The chronic joint diseases can affect the life very badly; one may end up in wheel chair in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Causes:
Dietary: Unhealthy habits of eating, intake of excess dry and low nutritious food causes Vata imbalance, which is the essential etiological factor for joint disorders. Degenerative joint diseases develop due to the loss of different dhatu (tissues) in body.
Heavy physical activity: excessive knee bending and constant stress on joints can result in its damage in due course. Osteoarthritis is an example for this.
Hereditary: Various studies revealed that genetic predisposition when incorporate with unhealthy life practices, it gives an easy access to the joint problems.
Age related: As age advances, the health of bone reduces and Vata is increasing in the body. This accounts for the development of joint weakness, joint edema etc like in osteoporosis.
Imbalance of dosha: Disturbances in equilibrium of dosha is the intrinsic cause of a disease. In case of joint disorders, imbalanced Vata dosha disturb other units like blood, bone, pitta etc leads to manifestation of illness. Vatarakta (gout arthritis) is manifested by the vitiation of vata dosha and rakta mainly.
Other: Physical injury and obesity can become strong etiological factors for joint disorders.
How it affects you:
Based on the type of joint disorders, there will be wide range of symptoms on the body. Minor joint diseases will cause various symptoms like swelling and redness. Daily activities will be affected due to different types of pain- intermittent and sharp pain. There will be fatigue and your range of movement will be affected. Edema and redness are commonly seen in conditions like osteoarthritis. In chronic condition of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, joint deformities are manifested in advanced stages. Arthritis occurred due to metabolic reasons like Gout cause excruciating pain and tenderness even in resting position. Septic arthritis is caused by micro organisms like bacteria and fungus, and it affects big joints like hip, knee etc. where it damages the joints badly. Stiffness is manifested in almost all types of arthritis and in rheumatoid arthritis condition severe morning stiffness can be experienced. In case of old age peoples, the consequences of joint disorders are grievous. Due to the age factor, there will be low deposit of minerals like calcium which makes the bone brittle and breakable. The joints will be in degenerative stage and will end up in conditions like osteoporosis.
Addressing the joint disorders in the early stages helps to avoid the joint damage and will make you feel better. The quality of life can be improved because of early detection and correction of the condition. Long term remedies for joint disorders are offered by the science of life, Ayurveda. These comprehensive treatment approaches in Ayurveda give a sustained relief in ailments associated with joints. In Atreya Ayurveda our team will provide an utmost care in handling your issues. Our expert doctors will consult you and will prescribe you medicines and external therapies. Special attention will give to amend your diet which suits with treatment protocol. Skilled therapist will perform the various therapies that ameliorate your sufferings. Through the therapeutic yoga, yoga master in Atreya Ayurveda will train you perform the asanas (postures) that strengthens your skeletal system.
Treatment modalities in Ayurveda
Prime importance should give to stabilize the vata dosha as it is the imbalanced one. Strengthening the asthi dhatu (bone tissue) is also included in the aim of the treatment. Other areas of focus in Ayurveda treatment include balancing other dosha, cushioning the joints with fluid, strengthening snayu (ligaments) and kandara(tendons). This is acquired through a series of therapies:
Snehapana: The intake of medicated ghee will the nourishment to bones. The tikta rasa (bitter taste) predominant ghee will help to restore the normal health of asthi dhatu (bone tissue). Ghee can reduce Vata and Pitta, and at the same time it enhances the digestive fire.
Snehana: Various types of oleation therapies are administered to enrich the joint and the surrounding structures. It will relieve inflammation and pain. Different type of oil therapies suggested are oil massage and dhara, where warm medicated oil is poured over the body. Another oil therapy is janu vasti and greeva vasti, where retention of lukewarm oil is done on joints like knee or cervical area respectively.
Pinda sweda: Various pinda (bolus) prepared with herbal powders, leaves, lemon etc. are used for therapies. In jambeera pinda sweda, lemon and herbal powders are used. Leaves with anti inflammatory properties are processed in oils is made into a bolus (patra pinda sweda) and is effective in osteoarthritis condition. In shashtika shali pinda sweda, a red variety of rice is cooked in decoction of herbs and milk, is highly effective in degenerative joint disorders.
Lepanam: The application of herbal paste on the joints is known as lepanam and is effective in reducing stiffness and inflammation. The analgesic effect of herbs used in the lepanam alleviates pain in joint disorders like gout. Applied warm herbal paste will stay for a longer period on the joint and allows the active ingredients to absorb through the skin. Herbal compounds like Kottamchukadi powder is useful to reduce swelling in arthritis.
Panchakarma: Among the five purificatory therapies vasti chikitsa(enema therapy) is the best for reducing Vata, thereby joint disorders. Thaila vasti (oil enema) and Asthapana vasti (decoction enema) are administered in alternative days for 8-14 days to obtain a fruitful outcome. The concoction inserted through trans-rectal route where there is abundant blood and lymph supply. The maximum absorption of herbal ingredients through the mucosa of colon happens and is beneficial for the whole body. Oil through its properties like guru (heavy) and sukshma (minute) penetrates through the cartilage and thus oil enema is highly beneficial in degenerative conditions.
Yoga: Various asnasa (postures) and movements helps the body to attain flexibility. Breathing techniques will help to pacify the Vata. To prevent the recurrence and to stabilize the joints regular practice of yoga is recommended.
In Atreya Ayurveda we provide the treatments sticking to the Ayurveda principles which had evolved centuries ago, but relevant in the current modern era. You can contact us for long term relief from any kind of joint illness. Our doctor will consult you and will guide you through the trails of natural healing.