Overview
Arthritis or Sandhivat is a term indicated for the disease of bone and joints. It is mainly characterised by symptoms such as Joint pain, Redness, Swelling, Edema, and Inflammation. Arthritis develops following inflammation of joints or breakdown of the cartilage cushion present between two bones.
An intact cartilage disc acts as a cushion and helps in the smooth movement of joints while performing actions such as walking, running, etc. However, Arthritis causes inflammation or the tearing of cartilage and makes the bones rub against each other. This causes severe Arthritis pain and difficulty in moving the joint.
In addition to arthritis, other conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Osteoporosis, and Frozen Shoulder can also be addressed.
Types
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Juvenile arthritis
Symptoms
- 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
Ayurvedic Treatment for Sandhivata (Arthritis)
Shodhana or purificatory therapy and Shamana or the palliative treatment together plays a significant role in the management of Sandhivata (Arthritis).Ayurvedic treatment of Arthritis includes correction of digestion and metabolism, immuno-modulation, treatment for Joint Pain with Panchakarma therapy and Ayurvedic medicines.
Specific Ayurvedic treatment.
The approach to treating different types of arthritis differs slightly. In cases of infective arthritis, the initial focus is on addressing inflammation before directly treating the joint. In most cases, inflammation occurs throughout the body, even if it is only evident locally. Ultimately, the treatment involves strengthening the muscles surrounding the joint and toning the soft tissues. Making mild to moderate lifestyle changes is also necessary for sustainable results.
Changes in diet and lifestyle
- Engaging in appropriate exercises that suit individual capabilities complements the daily Ayurvedic treatments.
- Consuming fruit juices high in Vitamin C helps improve the effectiveness of Ayurvedic anti-arthritis treatments and reduces skeletal pain.
- Guggal (Commiphorawightii), is a herb highly effective in treating arthritis.
Cervical spondylosis
Overview
A degenerative cascade due to age-related changes in the spinal column is known as spondylosis. The condition presents with excruciating pain, stiffness, numbness, and restricted movement of the neck.
Excessive strain on the neck during a workout, long work hours, lack of exercise, sleeping in the wrong position are the common cause for this condition. Bone Spurs, Dehydrated Discs, Stiff Ligaments and Herniated Disks are other causes.
The principle of movement is the predominant function of the skeleto-muscular system and the nervous system. Problems relating to these systems are predominantly caused by vitiated Vata. The commonly occurring pain in the neck region in such conditions are due to spasm of muscles around the area and numbness/tingling sensation in the arm is felt due to the compression of cervical nerves passing through the location.
Symptoms
- Pain and Neck stiffness
- Restricted neck movements
- Pain in the shoulder or arms
- Headache originating in the neck
- Grinding noise or sensation when the neck is turned
Ayurvedic Treatment for
Ayurvedic treatment of Cervical Spondylosis, comprises of herbal medicines and therapies that help to relax the muscles, relieve inflammation of the nerves and surrounding tissues, heal the damage to the nerves and in strengthen the nerves and muscles.
Specific Ayurvedic treatment
Panchakarma therapies like AbhyangaSwedan (Podikkizhi and Ilakkizhi), Nasyam, Shirodhara, Sarvangadhara, Greevabasti, GreevaPichu, and Vasti are usually done based on the persons presentation and severity of the disease.
Changes in diet and lifestyle
- Engaging in appropriate exercises that suit individual capabilities complements the daily Ayurvedic treatments.
Lumbar spondylosis
Overview
Lumbar Spondylosis is a generic term that refers to any degenerative disorder affecting the lumbar spine’s discs, vertebral bodies, and related joints.Spinal stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis, osteoarthritis, ageing, trauma, damage to the intervertebral discs, vertebrae, and related joints are all included in this category.
Common causes include, Herniated or bulging discs, Bone spurs, Abnormalities in the spine, Arthritic changes in the spine and Sudden jerk or injury to the spine.
Symptoms
- Pain In The Low Back Which May Radiate Till Your Legs
- Difficulty for standing long periods and walking or Travelling
- Stiffness in the lower back causing restriction or difficulty in movement or bending forward
- Numbness In The Low Back Which May Radiate Till Your Legs
- Numbness, weakness, or tingling in the foot
Ayurvedic Treatment forLumbar spondylosis
Radiographic studies, whether plain film, CT, myelogram, or MRI, may provide useful confirmatory evidence to support and exam finding and localize a degenerative lesion or area of nerve compression.
Lumbar spondylosis is linked to Kati Vata (one of the SandhigataVata), and back pain to Katishoola, Prishtashoola, Kati Graha, or Trika Shula or TrikaGrahaand GrudrasiVata, according to Ayurveda.Ayurvedic treatment for lumbar spondylosis aims to restore the vitiated ‘VataDosha’ to its natural state of balance.
The treatment modalities for treating this condition include Panchakarma & Rejuvenation therapies, internal medications.
Specific Ayurvedic treatment
Therapies like Dhanyamladhara, AbhyangaSwedam, Elakizhi, Sarvangadhara, Niroohavasti, KatiVasti, Navarakizhi are commonly done according to the severity of illness.
Changes in diet and lifestyle
Engaging in appropriate exercises that suit individual capabilities complements the daily Ayurvedic treatments.
Frozen Shoulder
Overview.
Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis is a condition in Ayurveda called as Apabahuka. Apabahuka is a disease that usually affects the Amsa sandhi (shoulder joint).It is produced by the VataDosha.The clinical illness known as frozen shoulder causes painful restrictions to both passive and active shoulder movements
Symptoms
Any movement of shoulder causes pain.
Shoulder and arm movements become Limited.
Ayurvedic Treatment
Ayurvedic treatment for frozen shoulder involves the pacification of the aggravated Vata and restoring its normal functions. At AbhayaAyurveda, we have a very systematic approach in treating frozen shoulder; we plan a customized treatment for each individual which is specific to their symptoms.
Specific Ayurvedic treatment.
Panchakarma therapies like Abhyanga Swedan (Podikkizhi and Ilakkizhi), Nasyam, Shirodhara, Sarvangadhara, Greevabasti,Greeva Pichu, and Basti are usually done based on the persons presentation and severity of the disease.
Changes in diet and lifestyle
Engaging in appropriate exercises that suit individual capabilities complements the daily Ayurvedic treatments.
Heel pain Vatakantaka (Plantar Fasciitis,Calcaneal spur)
Overview
Vatakantaka can be correlated with Plantar Fasciitis. Plantar Fasciitis is a chronic inflammation of plantar fascia and degeneration of fibrous tissue with without fibrous formation.Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of foot pain in adults, with the peak incidence occurring in people between the ages of 40 and 60 years. The clinical features of Vatakantaka can be correlated with the symptoms ofCalcaneal spur also. Vatakantaka caused mainly due to the vitiation of VataDosha occurring due to walking on an uneven ground frequently, placing the feet improperly.
Symptoms
- Pain when walking in the morning which reduces as the day goes.
- Increase in heel pain on standing for a long time, running and walking.
- Pain in the heel and surrounding region.
- Excessive and sudden heel pain especially when standing after prolonged sitting or lying down.
Ayurvedic Treatment.
Some commonly used herbs are Dashamoola (a combination of ten herbs), Guggul (Commiphoramukul), Shallaki (Boswellia serrata)
Specific Ayurvedic treatment
Abyanga, IstikaSvedan, Basti, Raktamokshana&Agnikarma is the maintreatment done in Vatakantaka.
Changes in diet and lifestyle
Besides medication, Ayurveda emphasizes lifestyle modifications and self-care practices to manage calcanial spur effectively. These include:
Maintaining a healthy body weight.
Wearing comfortable and supportive footwear
Practicing regular foot exercises and stretches.
Gentle massages with Ayurvedic oils like Mahanarayan oil, Bala oil, or Kottamchukkadi oil can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Following a balanced diet and incorporating anti-inflammatory foods.
