AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF ARTHRITIS

Featured in the article is Ayurvedic treatment of arthritis.

Etymologically speaking the word Ayurvedic means science of life. Ayush means life and Veda means knowledge, and in its broader sense it does not deal only with human life but also treatment and cure of animals and even plants. That is why there were various specialization of Ayurveda in ancient times like ashva-ayurveda (Ayurveda for horses), gau-ayurveda (Ayurveda for cow), gaja-ayurveda (Ayurveda for elephants).

While Ayurveda provides rational answers to various ailments, which are considered incurable or untreatable in other systems of medicinal sciences, it also provides a holistic approach towards the overall maintenance of positive health.

In this article we will discuss various rheumatic diseases and how Ayurveda can help you conquer these bone and joint ailments.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF ARTHRITIS

If broken etymologically, ‘arthron’ via Latin from Greek means joints and ‘-itis’ means inflammation; thus, arthritis in that sense means inflammation of joints.  While on one hand most of the joint diseases do show symptoms of real joint pains or aches because of this inflammation, there are some, which actually have no signs of inflammation.

Rheumatism

Rheumatic diseases, which in Ayurveda are known as amavata, are generally ill-defined under “arthritis,” while they are actually autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and not directly as a result of an injury or infection, where they make our immune system attack our bones, joints, and muscles and may result in various ailments like acute rheumatism, fibrositis, gout, and rheumatic fever.  Though at times it is associated with fever, it often happens because of exposure to cold.  The improper indigestion and metabolism leads to production and circulation of a particular substance in the body called “ama,” which then enters the bones and joints, and leads to various forms of arthritis.  Rheumatism is not correctly on time can be chronic and degenerative in nature, and it gets worse with time.  Usually people with tendency towards irregular indigestion and constipation get affected by rheumatism (amavata).

Ayurvedic Treatment of Arthritis: Rheumatism

The main ingredient in the treatment of rheumatism is Guggul, scientifically called Commiphora wightii.  This ingredient is also known by various other names like gugal, guggul, guggulu, gugul, Mukul myrrh tree, or Indian bdellium tree.  Guggul basically is a flowering plant, which falls in the family of Burseraceae and emits a fragrant resin called Guggulu, which is used in Ayurveda in incense.  Simahanada guggulu is most suitable for patients with constipation and Mahayogaraja guggulu for the rest.

Saindhavadi taila is a medicated oil which is recommended for gentle topical use externally on joints and areas affected with pain and aches.

Any composition of Shallaki and Guggal can be really helpful (as recommended by the physician).

Recommended Diet for Rheumatic Patients

•  Rheumatic patients can eat anything, but they must avoid all pulses except moong dal.
• Curd and other sour things are not at all recommended.
• Apart from that, patients suffering from rheumatism must refrain from fried food and things with cold cogency.

Recommended Daily Routine

• Should not sleep during daytime.
• Must avoid rigorous exercises or fast-paced walks, especially if the affected joints are involved in it.
• Restricted physical activity and exercise.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis is another autoimmune disease, which causes joint pains and can be progressively degenerative, and if not treated on time may go on to affect other parts of our body in a major way and can also lead to deformities.  Rheumatoid arthritis typically affects both sides of our body.  For instance, if your left hand is giving you pain, then in case of rheumatoid arthritis, even the right hand will be having the similar pain, and this is one of the major parameters that physicians use to identify to distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other arthritic disease forms.

Typically, in rheumatoid arthritis, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and synovial membranes get painfully inflamed and immobilized and lead to ankylosis.  RA needs immediate attention or you may have to live with this pain for the lifetime.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Yet again the chief ingredient in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is Guggul.  Based on the physician’s recommendation, it can be taken with hot water or milk, and is most effective when taken on empty stomach.

Also medicated oil called Mahanarayana Taila be used to gently massage over the affected joints.

A good composition of Shallaki and Guggal can be really helpful (as recommended by the physician).

Recommended Diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient

• Must avoid all pulses except moong dal.
• Curd and other sour things not recommended.
• Refrain from fried food and things that can cause constipation.
• Garlic (5 cloves twice daily) can be extremely helpful raw or fried with butter.
• Ginger is also very helpful with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Bitter ingredients like neem, bitter gourd can be very helpful.
• Avoid Rice.

Recommended Daily Routine for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient

• Movement should be avoided because of inflammation.
• Keep the joints immobilized. Should not sleep during daytime.
• Must avoid rigorous exercises or fast-paced walks, especially if the affected joints are involved in it.
• Restricted physical activity and exercise.

GOUT

Gout is a result of purine metabolism disturbance in the body, which in Ayurveda is known as “vatarakta.”  Gout is a metabolic disease which results in inflammation and deposition of chalky material in the joints.  The main causation of gout is impairment in digestion metabolism as a result of consumption of mutually contradictory foods and the absence of metabolic waste material elimination from the body.

In asymptomatic gout, patients would have elevated levels of uric acid in their blood, but without symptoms.

In acute gout conditions, buildup of uric acid crystals bring out quick symptoms in the joints and they can last for up to a week to 10 days.

During the gout attacks one experiences acute pain, swelling, and warmth in the affected joints.  There would not be any symptoms between two consecutive gout attacks.

If untreated, hard lumps get formed in the joints and the soft tissue and skin surrounding them and they can permanently damage the joint making it a long-standing chronic condition for the patient.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Arthritis: Gout

If gout goes untreated for a longer period of time, it may lead to arthritis and permanent damage and swelling of the affected joints.  Though the treatment of gout depends chronicity and severity of disease, Ayurveda again recommends the wonder ingredient Commiphora wightii (Guggal) with warm milk for 15 days as per the recommendation of doctor.

Also medicated oil called Guduchyadi taila can be massaged over the affected joints topically as recommended by the physician.

Again Guggulu is the main drug of choice in the treatment of gout.  Physicians recommend to keep the bowels clean and also recommend use of ashwattha tree for the purpose.  Ashwattha tree is scientifically known as Ficus religiosa, and also called sacred fig.

Recommended Diet for Gout Patient

• No freshly harvested wheat or rice.
• Old rice, wheat, bitter gourd, onion, garlic, moong dal, meat soup, green banana, papaya should be taken.
• Avoid fried, sour or heavy food items.
• Don’t consume curd.

Recommended Daily Routine for Gout Patient

• No rigorous movement and no immobility either.
• No exposure to cold weather.
• No cold water bath.
• No exposure to cold wind or rain.

LUMBAGO

Lumbago, generally known as lower back pain is actually not a disorder but a symptomatic sign that something is wrong with one or more of the lower back muscles, ligaments, nerves, vertebral bodies, bony structure of the lumbar vertebrae, or even the surrounding organs like kidneys.

Lumbago is caused by prolonged and acute spasm of the lower back and is caused by fibrositis.  The onset of the pain is acute and sudden and often comes up with pain and muscle tenderness on one side of the back or the center of the back.  Chronic constipation and sprain are the two precipitating symptoms of lumbago and is more profound in males than in females and in older population.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Arthritis: Lumbago

• Prasarin Oil or juice:  The most effective and primary treatment for lumbago is Prasarin (whole plant) (Botanical Name: Paedaria foetida).  Use of Prasarin Oil 2 to 3 times a day in the lower back significantly reduces the lumbago symptoms.  Also Prasarin juice can be consumed three times a day with honey.
• Castor Oil:  Along with Prasarin, patients should also be given castor oil with milk in order to ease constipation

Recommended Diet for Lumbago Patient

• No Sour food.
• No fried food.
• Avoid pulses.
• Eat Bajra, wheat, or jawar compared to rice.

Recommended Daily Routine for Lumbago Patient

• Walk or lie down after meal.  Not sit for at least 15 minutes after the food.
• Sedentary habits can be harmful.
• Gentle physical exercises for back and pelvic region.
• Morning walk.
• No exposure to cold.
• Do not strain or lift anything heavier.

CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

One of the most common arthritic condition, cervical spondylosis is mainly age related.  As we age, the wear and tear occur in our vertebrae and connecting bony structures and ligaments and affects our cervical vertebrae around the neck.  With age our vertebral disks start to dehydrate and contract, and this leads to osteoarthritis and bony spurs along the edges of our bones.

Cervical spondylosis usually is noticed in the people above the age of 50, but often the symptoms are mild and not very acute, but precipitating factors like incorrect posture, trauma, excessive sour food intake, and sleeping in incorrect position trigger the symptoms.  In Ayurveda cervical spondylosis is know as “griva sandhigata vata.”

With cervical spondylosis, people experience back and neck pain, shoulder and arm pain, stiff neck and in some cases even paraplegia.  The incorrect movement of spine is the most potent aggravating factor for pain in the neck.  Cervical spondylosis can lead to sleeplessness and also memory loss.

Symptoms of cervical spondylosis include, weakness of hands, arms, feet, and legs.  Difficulty walking and loss of coordination.  Loss of bowel and bladder control.

In extreme conditions, if the spinal cord and its nerve roots get severely compressed, it can lead to sever and long-standing paraplegia.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Arthritis: Cervical Spondylosis

• Massage:  Gentle massage over the neck and shoulder joints with Mahanarayana Taila is most effective.  No external massage or violent massage is recommended for cervical spondylosis.  The medicated oil used for gentle massage should be warmed up a little bit in winters before applying for the massage.
• Gum resin of Guggul is the most effective treatment for this disease condition.
• Triphala blended with warm milk and a teaspoon of sugar can be taken twice a week only.
• Hot fermentation of the cervical area.

Recommended Diet for cervical spondylosis patient

• No Sour food.
• No curd particularly.
• No fried food.
• Avoid pulses.
• Avoid rice.  Eat wheat.  Avoid maida or suji because they can cause constipation.

Recommended Daily Routine for Cervical Spondylosis Patient

• No cold exposure.
• No cold bath.
• No violent exercising.
• Maintain correct posture during reading, writing or sitting in front of computer.
• Maintain the ratio between height of the table and the chair in such a way that you do not have to bend down to work.
• No head bath in severe pains.
• Morning walks are recommended.
• In winters, cover the neck area with woolen scarfs.