Treatment for Arthritis & joint Disorders

Treatment for Arthritis & joint Disorders

Though precise translation of Ayurvedic nomenclature into modern medical terminology is difficult.However description of  Sandhivata and Aamvata  has close resemblance to Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid arthritis respectively. In common language Vayu(vata) denoting Vata dosha is used for both Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis. But according to Ayurveda when vitiated  Vata affects the major joints by disturbing the Kapha present there ,it is called Sandhivata  (Osteoarthritis) and is presented by inflamed painful joints. On the other hand when vitiated Aam dosha ,produced in the gut due to weekend Agni,affects the various joints & soft tissues,along with vitiated Vata  leading to inflammation with pain,is called Aamvata (Rheumatoid arthritis) .

                                           In Ayurveda Arthritis is linked to gut and joints.Therefore Ayurvedic formulations invariably target Joints,Gut and Immune system. It is very interesting to know that now modern medicine has find an essential immune mediated link between certain gut disorders and inflammatory Arthritis.

  Treatment :::

                         Treatment of Arthritis in Ayurveda has two protocols as usual.

1 - Sanshodhan Chikitsa  ——

                In this protocol Panchkarma procedures are done to normalise the vitiated Doshas. Starting with Snehan (oleation) and Swedana (sweating,heating) other three procedures namely are Basti (Enemas of herbal quaths), Vamna (Emetics) and Virechana (purgatives) .These procedures are indicated for specific stages of disease.

                      One more procedure “Agni Karma “ is very beneficial to relieve pain in painful & swollen joints.Some time it is done by the local application of heated plant extracts which produces chemical cauterisation and some time it is achieved by applying heated probes of gold,copper or iron.

                       Ayurvedic massage (Abhyanga) is also very popular in these diseases for various beneficial effects.

2 - Sanshaman Chikitsa :::::

                  Treatment by using systemic medicines is known as Sanshaman chikitsa.

  Rasayana of Ayurveda increases the body’s resistance to diseases,delay aging and promotes body strength.The best known drugs as Rasayana is Ashwagandha which is extremely used as anti inflammatory (hence Anti Arthritic) and immuno modulater now a days.

     Erond (castor) oil and Guggul are best used as potent anti arthritic herbs named in Charak Samhita.

                                   Other well Standardised formulation used in Arthritis (Sandhivata and Aamvata) are Dashmool, MahaYograj guggul ,Vata vidhwansan ras, Swarana Bhasama, Kasore Guggul & Triphla churna etc.

                        It is very fascinating that Swarna (gold) is used from centuries in Ayurveda as Anti Arthritic agent while modern medicine has discovered its use as DMARD (Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drug) in the last century.

                    Here at “healing Ayurveda “ we practice all these procedures and use quality medicines to cure Arthritis and other joints related problems.