Ayurvedic Treatment for Osteoarthritis in Kerala

Do you have aching joints? Are you worried about consuming the same Painkillers and NSAIDs?

Ayurveda can provide a better cure and save you from complicated surgeries with our specialized panchakarma therapies.

Osteoarthritis is the most common arthritis caused by the degeneration of cartilage.

Ayurvedic nutritional treatments can easily tackle these degenerative changes.

What is Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disorder caused mainly by the wear and tear of the joints. Knees, cervical, lumbar, hips, shoulders, and distal interphalangeal joints are affected most frequently. It mainly affects older people; among them, women are more prone to this disease than men. This usually follows post-menopause due to the osteoporotic changes in the bones.

Osteoarthritis mainly affects the cartilage. 

Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another. It acts as a shock absorber during physical movements.

 In Osteoarthritis, the surface layer of cartilage breaks and wears away. This allows bones under the cartilage to rub each other, causing pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion in the joint. 

Causes

• Hereditary factors
• Overuse of a particular joint
• Ageing
• Change in chemical characteristics of the ground substance in the joint
• Obesity
• Orthopaedic deformities
• Pre-existing joint disease
• Endocrine disorders like diabetes mellitus, hyperparathyroidism
• Sensory neuropathies

Early Symptoms

• Joint pain after walking or due to overuse
• Crackling or grating sensation in the joints
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Reduced range of movements in the joints

Later Symptoms

• Vague pain and stiffness in the joints, especially after getting up from the sitting posture in the later stages.
• Disability while walking down the stairs.
• Osteophyte formation at the distal interphalangeal joints.
• Swelling in the joints.
• Restricted and painful movements of the joint.
• The increased local temperature at the affected site.

Different stages of Osteoarthritis

The four stages of Osteoarthritis are:

Stage 1: Minor

Minor wear-and-tear in the joints. Little or no pain in the affected area.

Stage 2: Mild

Bony overgrowth (spurs) appears. 

The affected area feels stiff after a long sedentary period. 

Stage 3: Moderate

Cartilage in the affected joints begins to degenerate, and the joint becomes inflamed, which causes discomfort in performing daily activities. 

Stage 4: Severe

The patient experience severe excruciating pain

The cartilage is almost wholly damaged, leading to an inflammatory response from the joint.

The presence of bony spurs (osteophytes) may cause severe pain.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Osteoarthritis

According to Ayurveda, Osteoarthritis occurs due to vitiated Vata dosha leading to asthi dhatu kshaya (decreased bone density). 

Ayurvedic Treatment for Osteoarthritis in Kerala is very effective to manage the pain and the associated problems.

This can be managed by “brahmana” and “balya” chikitsa (nourishing therapies). 

Administration of medicated milk and ghee has particular importance here.

Panchakarma Treatments for Osteoarthritis

Panchakarma treatment for Osteoarthritis is mainly done before the nourishing therapies for Osteoarthritis.

Administration of medicated ghee and oil is done before Virechana (Purgation). Generally, Snigdha Virechana (Purgation using oil or ghee) is preferred here to prevent further Vata vitiation. 

Vasti is also very much beneficial in Osteoarthritis to prevent further degeneration.

External therapies such as Lepanam, Parisheka, Abhyanga, Local vasthi (Oil pooling), Njavarakizhi (Medicated rice massage), and Ksheera Basti (Medicated milk enema) are used to strengthen the cartilages and joints.

Other procedures like Podikkizhi ( Herbal powder massage), Illakkizhi (Herbal leaves massage), Dhanyamladhara (Pouring of a fermented liquid), and Kashaya vasthi (Enema With herbal decoctions) are also very beneficial in reducing inflammation.

Abhyanga:

Medicated oils are used for the massage of affected joints, which reduces pain and stiffness in the joint and balances the Vata dosha.

Patra Potala Sweda or Herbal pouch massage 

Patra Potli Sweda is a hot herbal pouch massage where different medicinal leaves are used to prepare the pouch, dipped in hot oil.

The heat from the pouch provides immediate relief and also detoxifies the body. The treatment has a rejuvenating effect which helps improve the range of motion of the joints and relieves acute pain and stiffness.

Shashtika shali pinda sweda or Njavara kizhi

Njavarakizhi is a hot pouch massage where njavara rice, milk, and Bala moola kwath(decoction) are used for its preparation. Pouches filled with medicated rice dipped in oil are applied during the massage. This massage helps repair and rejuvenate the degenerated joints, thereby relieving the pain and stiffness.

Localized Vasti

Specially prepared medicated oil is kept over the affected joint with a herbal paste boundary. It helps in nourishing and lubricating the joints and increases the flexibility of the joints.

Basti (cleansing enema)

Here medicines are given through the anal canal. As the Pakvasaya (large intestine) is considered the abode of Vata dosha, Vasti is the primary treatment of choice for most of the neurological and musculoskeletal disorders caused by aggravated Vata. 

Herbal decoctions and milk are used for Vasti in this disease.

Jaloukavacharana or Leech therapy

Jaloukavacharana is a treatment modality wherein leeches are made to bite over the affected area. 

It is a proven technique to reduce pain and swelling in Osteoarthritis.

Besides these treatment modalities, weight reduction is necessary to make the joints stress-free.

 It also suggests Yoga asanas, Pranayama, and other relaxation techniques for the treatment of Osteoarthritis.

 Internal medications, including Calcium supplements, are another part of this treatment that is necessary to get an ultimate cure for this disease. Lastly, Consume Rasayana medicines to repair and replenish the joints and prevent a recurrence.

Diet restrictions

A balanced diet with adequate calcium supplementation is proven beneficial for the patients. 

Avoid foods rich in trans fat, gluten, excess salt, and sugars.

include the following in the diet 

Whole grains 

• Spinach 
• Carrot
• Cabbage 
• Cucumber 
• Black beans
• Ladies finger 
• Tomato, 
• Banana 
• Orange 
• Lemon 
• Honey
• Raisins
• Fatless cottage cheese 
• Coconut oil
• Fish oil.  

Drinking plenty of water is recommended. It provides lubrication to the joints and reduces the chances of Osteoarthritis.

Dos and Don’ts during treatment

Do’s: 

• Intake of Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), Lavana (salt), and Snigdha (unctuous) food, Garlic, Ginger, Hing, Black pepper, etc
• Regular Exercise is mandatory
• Maintaining optimum weight;
• Avoiding excessive repetitive motions
• Healthy diet and lifestyle
• Protecting an injured joint from further damage

Don’ts: 

• Long fasting and excess of heavy food 
• Awakening at night (Ratri Jagran), 
• Vega Dharana (suppression of natural urges), 
• Stress,
• Prolonged standing, 
• Overexertion and injury to joints

How to avoid the recurrence of Osteo arthritis?

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with low-impact exercise, getting plenty of rest and enough sleep, and a healthy diet and weight are simple ways to prevent its recurrence. Incorporating milk and ghee into your diet can yield significant changes and protect your joints from further wear and tear. 

Home Remedies For Osteoarthritis

• Regular exercise
• Hot compress
• Milk boiled with garlic
• Drumstick leaf paste
• Dashmool tea
• Eucalyptus oil

Conclusion

Ayurvedic treatment can do wonders, especially in degenerative disorders like Osteoarthritis. The external therapies are very effective for immediate pain relief. Following proper food regimes, exercise, and healthy weight management helps prevent the disease.

If you are suffering from Osteoarthritis, book an appointment for ayurvedic treatment in Kerala

Saatwika Ayurveda, one of the best Ayurvedic Hospitals in Trivandrum provides the most authentic ayurvedic treatment for Osteoarthritis in Kerala.