Rheumatoid arthritis or Vatarakta is one of the common health complaints that many of my patients in Ayurveda Hospital Chennai come to me with. Vatarakta is a tough battle to win mainly because it is an autoimmune disorder, where your own body turns against its joints.

Yes, that’s true! Vatarakta can be a debilitating condition that affects all aspects of the joints – from the synovial fluid and cartilage to the ligaments and bones. The result of this condition is severe pain, swelling, and stiffness of the affected joints. With such complications associated with Vatarakta, can Ayurveda really help? Of course, we can!

Let me explain how your Ayurveda doctor can help you overcome the complications of rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms of Vatarakta

In addition to painful joints, Vatarakta causes body pain, a feeling of illness, fever, loss of appetite, swelling because of inflammation in the joint areas, and indigestion. Patients commonly wake up to painful morning stiffness around the joints. One characteristic feature of Vatarakta is the symmetric nature of swelling – in many instances, the same joint on both sides are affected simultaneously.

What causes Vatarakta?

Surprisingly the actual cause of this autoimmune disorder is still a bit of a mystery. Yes, there is a genetic aspect associated with Vatarakta. For some of us, our body considers its own tissues as invaders and prepares for an attack. In such individuals, when there are certain triggers, such as exposure to pollution or cosmetics, obesity, or smoking, the body immediately starts its attack, focusing on the joints. The body releases antibodies called rheumatoid factor into the blood, which often helps in the diagnosis of this condition. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women, especially starting from the age of 40.

Ayurveda also associates this condition with the release of toxins in the body because of metabolic imbalance. These toxins target the joints, causing inflammation. The metabolic imbalance is triggered by unhealthy lifestyles including poor eating habits, improper sleep timings, sedentary lifestyle, excessive wear and tear of the joints, and stress.

Hence, the primary focus of Ayurveda Hospital Chennai treatment is to reverse these toxic effects to restore a healthy balance.

Ayurvedic treatment of Vatarakta in Ayurveda Hospital Chennai

Ayurveda focuses on a holistic approach rather than just pain and symptom management. The complete approach of Ayurveda treatments includes the following example treatments.

1. Removal of toxins through Panchakarma is recommended
2. Correcting the metabolic balance
3. Rasayana or internal medications that improve the health of the joints and body immunity
4. Medications or aushadhas that control the pain and inflammation to improve the quality of life
5. Strict dietary regimens or pathyas, as well as fasting, to prevent recurrence through diets rich in grains, legumes, buttermilk, castor oil, green and leafy vegetables, and flavnoids, as well as complete avoidance of food that are oily and slow down the metabolic rate
6. Complete adoption of a healthy lifestyle through vihara chikitsa to avoid the triggers that cause the condition
7. Physical therapy is minimal
8. General guidance for avoiding recurrence would be to reduce body weight so there is no stress on the joints, practice good posture that do not harm the joints, sleep on firm mattresses, and exercises that do not apply undue pressure on the joints

Rheumatoid arthritis is indeed a tough condition to manage, but with traditional Ayurvedic treatments and well-trained Ayurveda doctors, you can definitely lead a healthy life despite the possibilities of this condition.

Seeking Long-Term Relief , Ayurveda Treatment for Spondylosis

Spondylosis, a vata roga, is a common disorder of the aging population but is also fast becoming a common lifestyle disorder in Chennai. Hence, seeking long-term relief from spondylosis through Ayurveda treatment has become much more relevant today than looking for quick fixes. Let’s find out more about this disorder and Ayurveda Treatment for Spondylosis.

What is spondylosis?

Spondylosis is a gradual, yet painful, degenerative change in the structure of the spine. It usually affects the cartilage, bone, vertebral discs, and even joints. Any of the following parts of the spinal cord can be affected by this change:

1. Cervical spine or the neck, causing cervical spondylosis or griva sandhigata vata. This is one of the most common forms of spondylosis
2. Thoracic spine, or the upper and mid back, which causes thoracic spondylosis
3. Lumbar spine or the lower back, which causes lumbar spondylosis

What are the symptoms of this disorder so as to give effective Ayurveda Treatment for Spondylosis?

Spondylosis affects the quality of life and severely limits our ability to carry out activities of daily living. The symptoms are painful, including stiffness, tenderness, back pain, muscular spasm, etc.

What causes spondylosis?

According to the Ayurveda, spondylosis and food habits are closely connected. Junk food, spicy food, minimal consumption of water, and other such unhealthy eating habits increase the chances of spondylosis. Today’s irregular routines and lifestyle habits such as excessive use of electronic items, stress, desk jobs, late nights, and other irregular routines and habits increase the tendency for developing spondylosis.

What is the Ayurvedic solution?

A healthy combination of herbal medicines, physical treatments, and exercises help in

• Relieving the pain
• Rejuvenating the body
• Improving strength
• Getting rid of other symptoms such as stiffness

A stringent Ayurvedic regimen will completely overcome the need for complicated and habit-forming medications and surgery. Ayurveda focuses not only on relieving the symptoms but also on curing the body, mind, and soul so the condition does not recur.

A quick summary of the treatment modalities in Ayurveda hospitals for Ayurveda Treatment for Spondylosis is as follows:

1. Panchakarma routines and therapies such as nyavarakizhi, basti, dhara, ilakkizhi, etc.
2. Pain-relieving natural herbs that are consumed or applied as a paste across all the affected regions
3. Herbal oils that relieve pain when massaged into the affected parts or gently applied with fomentation. Abhyangam involves a full-body massage with the relevant medicinal oils and the process involves strengthening the muscles and joints of the body
4. Dietary control for Ayurveda Treatment for Spondylosis by avoiding certain foods, such as white-colored food such as bread and potatoes, avoiding oily food, exposure to cold
5. A condition-specific lifestyle modification – in terms of daily routine, exercise, correct postures, and stress management help in preventing recurrence

Spondylosis does not mean limiting your happiness and freedom to move. With the best of treatments from Ayurveda hospitals and clinics in Chennai, you can lead a disciplined and happy life with the painful condition fully under your control.

I know that you have many more questions about spondylosis for which you are seeking answers. Do connect with me today to say bye to your spondylosis.