Joint Pain Treatment with the Help of Ayurveda, MIA, Chennai

Joints are crucial parts of our body and in case injured or inflamed, they can cause immobility and pain. There could be main reasons for joint pain from natural aging to injury. Stiffness in the joints and pain–are common complaints for many people. Injury to the bones could be anywhere from mild to severe.

Causes of joint pain —

Joint Pain could occur from several conditions such as–

*Complications following treatment of other health conditions.

* Most common joint pain is Osteo Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. It could be worrisome and can make a person unable to perform their daily activities adequately.

*Injury /Accidents

*Inflammation of joints

*Leukemia

*Degeneration

*Sprains and strains.

Symptoms of Joint Pain could include–

*Weakness

*Swelling

*Stiffness

*Limited range of motion

*Tenderness

Ayurvedic Treatment—

Ayurveda offers ‘Safe and Effective treatment alternatives for joint pain.

The herbs used in Ayurveda have all shown to reduce inflammation by interfering with the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body.

The Effectiveness of joint pain treatment through Ayurveda—

Ayurvedic specialists explain that joints are the vital parts of the body and in case of a disease, or injury, they cease to function as they ought to.

Treating joint pain with an ayurvedic approach is an individualized process. The patient is 1st diagnosed and evaluated as per the symptoms. Any treatment approach will aim at balancing the ‘Vata’ [ combination of air and ether], which causes inflammation and pain. The severity of the joint condition influences the treatment approach. Treatments also include massaging the joints with enriched oils and other herbs. Applying the medicated paste on the diseased bone is another treatment approach.

Treatment Process—

Ayurvedic medicines combined with some joint exercises and therapies help to give natural and gradual relief from stiffness, swelling and joint pain. You can get rid of taking pain killers provided you do comfortable and easy movements regularly. Ayurvedic medicines can help in maintaining the healthy joints, from thereon. Ayurvedic Approach works best to cure and root out the joint pain.

At Madras Institute of Ayurveda, [MIA] Chennai, the centre of Ayurvedic medicine and treatment–Ayurvedic tradition meets modern techniques, ranging from Panchakarma treatment to rejuvenation treatment. MI Ayurveda provides authentic treatement for joint pain , at Vadapalani, Chennai, Vijaya Hospital.

With facilities for quality ayurvedic treatments on par with the highest standards and finest traditions dating back to Vedic times, MIA has a full-fledged outpatient and in-patient department.

To know more, log onto www.miayurveda.org.

Author: Raj Mohan,

Ayurveda Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis – Ayurveda hospital, Chennai

Rheumatoid arthritis or Vatarakta is one of the common health complaints. Mny of my patients in my 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 treatment is to reverse these toxic effects to restore a healthy balance.

Ayurvedic treatment of Vatarakta, 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

4. Rasayana or internal medications that improve the health of the joints and body immunity

5. Medications or aushadhas that control the pain and inflammation to improve the quality of life

6. 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

7. Complete adoption of a healthy lifestyle through vihara chikitsa to avoid the triggers that cause the condition

9. Physical therapy is minimal

10. 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.Visit our ayurveda hospital, Chennai to know more about this and required treatment details.

Dr.Manoj

Don’t Let Joint Pain Control Your Lives: Joint Pain Relief with Ayurveda

Do the rains and cold make all your joints go stiff? Do you feel intense pain and tenderness when you try to bend your knees or fingers? These are all clear symptoms of joint pain. At my Ayurvedic clinic in Chennai, joint pain is a common complaint that many of my patients come with, seeking immediate relief. But before you jump into the treatment and pain relief aspects of joint pain, you must understand a couple of interesting details about the source of joint pains. So here is a quick overview of our joints and why we struggle so much with joint pains.

The cause of joint pain

Joints are the often overlooked parts of your body that gain significance only when their critical functions are affected. They are regions between two bones and are filled by a lubricating liquid called the syanovial fluid. The main job of the joints is to cushion the region between two bones so they can move easily in relation to each other. Yes, joints are as critical as bones in facilitating movements. With age, the syanovial fluid reduces in concentration, drying out the joints. This is caused by activities that cause excess strain to the joints and also by natural wear and tear. In addition injuries and infections can lead to inflammation of the joints.

The two causes of joint pain as per Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, joint pain is attributed to two causes, one of which is quite interesting. The first cause is the imbalance of vata roga. Joints are commonly associated with vata; hence if the tissues around the joints do not receive the right nutrition such as fat in a timely manner, then the syanovial fluid will no longer be able to lubricate the joints, causing it to dry up and create a vata imbalance. This can also affect the health of bones, the tissues’ capacity to absorb nutrients, and the ability to transmit nerve impulses.

Interestingly, joint pains are also associated with healthy nutrition of the tissues around the joints and the digestive power of patients. Improper digestion leads to the production of toxins or ama in the intestines, which accumulates in the joints. If the body is not able to eliminate these toxins from the body, they affect the joints, causing irritation and inflammation. These toxins can also lead to joint pain, especially during rains or cold seasons, when they mix with the syanovial fluid. The fluid hence becomes viscous and loses its lubricating power. Kapha roga is a common cause of this type of joint pain, and Ayurveda experts can easily manage this condition at the earlier stages. However, as time proceeds, it leads to chronic pain. Hence, poor digestion is a critical cause of joint pain.

So, if your causative symptoms are owing to digestive complications, then you will need immediate and intense attention to remove the ama. But if the causative symptoms are because of lack of proper nourishment to the joints then you will need corrective procedures that can bring back the vata balance.

Relief from joint pain

The solution depends on the source of the joint pain – either correcting the nutritional balance to remove vata roga or eliminating the ama from the body.

But as a general approach, every treatment protocol aims at correcting the circulation to the joints, detoxification, providing the right nutrition to the joints, and minimizing the discomfort and pain from joint inflammation. Since each protocol depends on the cause of the joint pain, ensure that you consult with an experienced and expert Ayurvedic doctor before you blindly proceed with therapy.

Elimination of toxins

Panchakarma is a treatment of choice that can help remove the harmful ama from your body to deliver relief from joint pain. But it also involves specific focus on the affected joints. Detoxification of the entire digestive system and supporting the cleansed system with the right nutrients is essential to clear joint pain and to prevent it from recurring.

Massage therapies

Therapeutic abhyanga is a great option to correct vata roga. Regular massages with medicated oils, kizhis, and enemas also help in improving the supply of nutrients to the affected joints.

Diet

Detoxification and nourishing the tissues are the main focus of providing relief from joint pain. Hence, diet plays a critical role in both causes of joint pain. A vata-correcting diet includes a well-balanced nutrition of all the tastes. Preferably avoid bitter foods and caffeine. Ghee is a great ingredient source of nutrition, and in addition, include many vegetables and fruits in your diet. Milk is critical as it supplies the much-deserved calcium. All processed, frozen foods, and food items that challenge easy digestion are a complete no. Focus on breaking your food intake into many manageable pieces.

Exercise

Ayurveda recommends sensible exercises that help bring back the movement of joints and related bones and muscles. Perform these exercises under the supervision of an expert since excessive strain can worsen the underlying condition. Perform pranayama and specific yoga poses under the strict guidance of experts.

Say no to joint pain with healthy living

Any treatment modality is successful only when supported by a healthy way of living. Hence make sure that you correct your sleep-wake cycle to a regular 6 to 10 format. Eat and live healthy, supporting your body with fresh thoughts and invigorating exercises. Joint pains in most cases are completely avoidable. But if you are struggling with the pain, do get in touch with an expert Ayurveda doctor. You will have to first find the cause and only then go in for specific treatments.

Traditional Ayurveda Treatment

The Trusted Solution to Manage Common Orthopedic Conditions
Orthopedic conditions are exponentially on the rise among Indians. Over the last 25 years of my experience in treating innumerable patients in Chennai using traditional Ayurveda treatment practices that I’ve learnt from Kerala, I have noticed a startling increase in the percentage of patients coming to me with orthopedic problems. Change in lifestyle, means of living, and food intake are definitely the primary reasons for this surge in orthopedic conditions.

So, let’s take a look at the reasons behind the origin of most of these conditions from the trustworthy perspective of Ayurveda.

The core of a healthy mind and body in Ayurveda is about maintaining a perfect balance between Vatha, Pitta, and Kapha. Any disharmony or vitiation of the three doshas leads to many orthopedic conditions.

Vatha vitiation, for example, catalyses osteoporosis or weak bones, Pitta vitiation exposes the bones to inflammations and infections, and Kapha vitiation leads to dense bones and supportive tissues. Hence different combinations of the three doshas lead to multiple orthopedic conditions – from rheumatoid arthritis to tendency for fracture.

Let’s quickly review some common orthopedic conditions and determine how Ayurveda treatment provides complete relief and resolution for each condition.

Traditional Ayurveda Treatment in chennai — Traditional Ayurveda Orthopedic Treatment

Osteoarthritis (SandhigataVata)
Osteoarthritis is characterized by severe joint pain caused when the cartilage protecting the bones of the joints wears away. A common condition that starts from middle age, osteoarthritis also causes inflammation of the joints, swelling, stiffness, and locking of joints. It commonly affects the knee, hands, hips, and the spine. Osteoarthritis can be cured through a combination of lifestyle changes, fomentation, herbal medication, oleation, and dietary control can help control the condition.

Rheumatoid arthritis (Vatarakta)
Rheumatoid arthritis also affects the joints; however, it is caused by an autoimmune disorder. This condition can affect any joint in the body and the eyes, heart, and lungs, and the entire body through the blood vessels. Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressively limiting disorder affecting an individual’s ability to carry out regular activities. Ayurvedic treatment focuses on correcting the metabolic balance of the body to manage the condition through biological purification or Shodhana, fasting, stringent diet plans, digestive medicines, and shamanachikitsa (pacifying treatments). A disciplined lifestyle also supports in bringing back the body to health.

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a predominantly vataroga, where the bones are so brittle that they can fracture or deform easily. Ayurveda focuses more on prevention of this condition by balancing the cold characteristics of vata with the warm profile of kapha. Dietary control, herbal medications,yoga, and lifestyle discipline are critical in preventing osteoporosis through Ayurveda treatment.

Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is a vataroga – a form of inflammation of the tendons near the elbow, caused by excess stretching or movements of the arm muscles around the elbow region. The condition is common in people with excessive physical activities, but also in today’s age of excessive arms-related work (e.g., typing and writing) and in case of excessive physical labor requiring movement of the arms.
Ayurvedic treatment focuses on pain relief since resting the arm usually corrects the condition. Rejuvenation, oleation, and swedana therapies help provide immense relief. Kizhis and medicated oil baths are also helpful in addition to some pain-relieving herbal medication. Dietary control and lifestyle corrections help prevent recurrence.

The list of orthopedic conditions that require attention is much longer but these examples prove the holistic approach of Ayurveda in correcting, eliminating, and overcoming these conditions. Ayurveda’s treatment approach symbiotically combines medication, food (aahar), lifestyle changes (vihar), exercise, and physical therapy of varying complexities to bring back a body’s balance.

This approach is closer to the body’s natural properties and provides a harmless, side effect–free solution to most orthopedic conditions.
In the coming blog posts, I will be reviewing each orthopedic condition in detail and providing a healthy Ayurveda treatment and solution to each condition. Watch this space for a holistic approach to living.