Ayurveda and Osteoarthritis

First, it is important to understand structure of healthy joint. Each Synovial Joint is made up of following structures…

1. Two more more bones meeting in one place.
2. The bony ends are made up of slipper cartilage tissue.
3. Both bony ends are bathing in synovial fluid – a lubricating fluid and are covered with joint capsule.
4. Surrounding structure like muscles, tendons, ligaments and bursa surround a joint.

A Healthy joint means that..

1. Bones are in good condition, have adequate calcium and protein.
2. Bony cartilage is intact and in healthy condition.
3. Synovial Fluid is in sufficient quantity.
4. Space between cartilage of two bones is adequate.
5. Joint capsule and surrounding structures are in healthy condition.

Joint is a living part of body. All of its components – bones, cartilages, synovial membrane, synovial fluid and surrounding structures are constantly reprocessed – as all other living structures.

Ayurvedic Subdoshas (Functional Humors) Responsible for Joints Health and Osteoarthritis:

Ayurveda considers ‘Vata Dosha’ as responsible for all movements, pressure forces and impulses.

1. Prana Vata signifies general vitality of body.
2. Vyana Vata represents circulation of nutrients and waste metabolites.
3. Apana Vata stands for cleansing process in body.

Kapha Dosha provides the structural integrity and functional strength to joints.

1. Avalambaka Kapha gives general supportive energy to whole body, including joints, spine and other weight bearing structures.
2. Shleshaka Kapha is related with structural and functional integrity of joint structures.
3. Tarpaka Kapha signifies health of bone marrow and nervous tissue.

Ayurveda and Osteo-Arthritis or Sandhivata:

The understanding of modern medicine and Ayurveda is similar when considering the Osteoarthritis. They diverge on the point of treatment and management of this disorder.

Ayurveda considered Osteoarthritis as a Vata disorder or degenerative disorder. Human lifecyle is divided into three parts – childhood and growing age, youth and middle age, maturity and old age. The last of three phases is Vata stage. Medicine also consider Osteoarthritis as Aging related, Wear and Tear caused Arthritis.

What Causes Sandhivata or Osteoarthritis According to Ayurveda?

As mentioned earlier, Sandhivata is a Vata disorder or degenerative disorder related with aging. It affects most people in their older days. Men are more susceptible before 45 years of age and women suffer more after 55 years of age. Some factors increase the progression or chance of Osteoarthritis…

1. Poor Nutrition
2. Injuries in joints
3. Sedentary Lifestyle, Lack of flexibility exercises
4. Obesity, Diabetes, Hypertension
5. Vata aggravating diet, herbs and lifestyle

Ayurveda and Osteoarthritis – Changes occurring in Sandhi-Vata:

We usually tell this to all persons who come to us for Ayurvedic Treatment of Osteoarthritis and Sandhivata. Sandhivata is not a disorder that develops over few days or weeks. It takes its own time even if some people come under its grip earlier while others might manage to escape from it in older days.

First Stage of Osteoarthritis: General wear and tear starts in joints associated with nutritional deficiency in calcium and protein components of joints and bones. Here, people start to feel stiffness, some pain and discomfort. Flexibility and movements start to suffer or become compromised.

Second Stage of Osteoarthritis: Wear and Tear of actual Joint cartilage starts leading to ‘actual Osteoarthritis’. It is accompanied with diminished joint space and synovial fluid.

Third Stage of Osteoarthritis: The second stage is further advanced and distinctly diminished synovial fluid and joint space is visible even in Xrays.

Fourth Stage of Osteoarthritis: Joint cartilage is severely destroyed and bony spurs or spikes or protuberances come out of bones underlying the cartilage. Then, Osteoarthritis becomes quite painful, restricting movements. Surrounding structures of joints do swell and become painful.

These stages are discernible in simple X-Raysfilms.

Ayurveda and Osteoarthritis – Problems People have in Sandhivata?

These are quite evident – symptoms and signs of Sandhivata. These symptoms can range form mild to moderate to severe depending upon the condition of Osteoarthritis.

1. Stiffness of joints, especially in the morning and evening or after some inactivity
2. Pain in joints, more pronounced when exerting like climbing stairs
3. Tenderness or painful while touching or pressing joints
4. Crating or sounds in joints
5. Swelling of Joint structures
6. Restriction of Joint movement
7. Disruption in daily activities

Common Methods of Diagnosing Osteoarthritis:

Plain Xray is the most common diagnostic method. Sometimes, CT Scan, MRI can be required. Blood tests are done to exclude other conditions like Gout or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Sometimes, examination of synovial fluid is done to exclude infections or other conditions.

What Line of Treatment Do We Follow in Ayurvedic Joints Wellbeing Program for Osteoarthritis:

The Ayurvedic treatment of Osteoarthritis rests upon these principles…

STRENGTHEN, STRENGTHEN, CLEANSE AND RELIEVE…
STRENGTHEN, STRENGTHEN, CLEANSE AND RELIEVE…

We at Ayurvedic Herbalist makes use of rejuvenative herbs, restorative herbs, Anti Vata herbs for anti-inflammatory, natural pain relief and antidegenerative herbs to check the progression of disease, to relieve symptoms, to improve joint structure, to improve flexibility and movement.

Even though, use of Ayurvedic herbs is mandatory, external Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy procedures like simple massage, Patrapottali and Churnapottali are also helpful in relieving problems like pain and stiffness, and in improving flexibility.

The overall emphasis is to check the progression of Vata. Vata degeneration is set overall in whole body – whether it is heart or blood vessels or digestive system or any other body part – the effect of aging and accompanying degeneration is widespread in body.

That is why our Ayurvedic treatment and management, with rejuvenative and restorative treatment along with Vata pacification, helps a lot within few weeks duration.

Medical Treatment of Sandhivata:

NSAIDS or Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs are simple pain killers and anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, aceclofenec are the most commonly used. Some of them are available on prescription and some are available as over the counter drugs.

These work on the principle of RELIEVE FOR FEW HOURS, FORGET FOR FEW HOURS. And there is risk involved like stomach upset, cardiovascular problems, bleeding problems, liver and kidney damage and ringing in your ears. Unfortunately elderly are at greater risk of these side effects.

Narcotics or Strong Painkillers or Opioid Analgesics: These are prescription drugs and are strong painkillers. They carry the risk of dependency or habit formation along with other side effects.

Corticosteroids: We have seen Corticosteroids like prednisolone in few prescriptions by some elite medical doctors. our advice is STAY COMPLETELY AWAY from their internal use. They give symptomatic relief and actually advance your osteoarthritis and makes you susceptible for many severe disorders on mid to long term basis.

Ayurveda and Osteoarthritis – Diet, Exercise and Lifestyle Based Measures:

Physiotherapy and Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy are definitely good choice. Instead of going regularly to Physiotherapy or Ayurveda Panchakarma clinic, learn the simple procedures that you can do at home or ask somebody in family for help.

Adopt modified ways in your daily tasks that puts less stress on your joints. Like having a toothbrush with big grip, using stool in shower instead of standing.

Guided Yoga Postures and Exercises do offer great relief. We do teach all people Flexibility Enhancement Exercises based on Yoga and Tai Chi movements.

Surgical Options for Osteoarthritis:

Corticosteroids shot into joint is a relatively better choice than taking it internally. You get some relief of pain in a specific joint. But this procedure is also limited as you can’t get more than a limited number of shots in a joint during a year.

Why?

This procedure simply relieves pain and symptoms and actually advances the condition of that joint. The consolation could be that the harm and benefit is limited to the joint where shot is given.

Lubrication Injections and Realigning of bones are not that much common method.

Joint Replacement is a good choice but it has its own drawbacks. We will cover it in good length in another dedicated article. It is expensive and doesn’t give you same flexibility as before arthritic days. With passage of time, there also worn out and might need to be replaced.

Despite, advanced surgical methods, natural joints like functioning and replacement can’t be thought about. We always suggest you to meet few persons who have gone this procedure and find how well they are managing.

Ayurveda and Osteoarthritis Management:

Ayurvedic Herbalist strongly suggests adoption of our line of treatment for Sandhivata or Osteoarthritis.

In whole world, there can’t be anything better than this…

STRENGTHEN, STRENGTHEN, CLEANSE AND RELIEVE…
STRENGTHEN, STRENGTHEN, CLEANSE AND RELIEVE…

Remember, there is nothing bad in using painkillers to relieve joints pain and symptoms for some time. But always try authentic Ayurvedic treatment such as our program for at least 2-3 months.

You will truly find Ayurveda for Osteoarthritis as a great natural treatment option by Ayurvedic Herbalist.