Ayurvedic Tips On How to Take Care of Arthritis without Painkillers

Whenever there is inflammation in a joint, we call it arthritis. Pain and stiffness are the most prominent indicators. Arthritis is typically a degenerative condition that comes with advanced age. The age range of 50 and up is the most common. There are two main types of arthritis: degenerative and infectious. Both are challenging medical problems that require careful management.

By its very nature, the world is doomed to deterioration, and so are we as humans. But if it’s happening because of your way of life, you can absolutely slow it down. Degenerative arthritis is often caused by not moving around much and putting constant pressure on the joints because of being overweight. Obesity accelerates the degeneration of weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and ankles.

Let’s Understand Arthritis

Arthritis can be brought on by damage to the joint or through incorrect use of the joint. More than a hundred distinct forms of arthritis and associated disorders exist. Pain and stiffness are typical symptoms of arthritis, which is caused by inflammation of one or more joints.

The way our bodies send information to our brains is what makes it possible for us to feel pain. The brain’s opiate receptors receive messages of pain from the central nervous system. The pain signals to aid in our ability to sense the pain.

Negative and Un-productive effect of Painkillers

However, there are two effects of the medicine when it is taken to relieve pain: It mostly slows down activity in the CNS, which makes it take longer for pain signals to get to the brain. Secondly, it blocks pain by binding to opiate receptors. The sedative and euphoric effects of painkillers are what block pain signals from getting to the brain.

In addition to having negative effects on the body, long-term painkiller usage can also damage the brain and spinal cord. As mentioned before, opioid medicines work by depressing the central nervous system to dull pain, but, as with any drug, an overdose can cause dangerous respiratory depression, decreased physical reactions, and slurred speech.

But is popping up a painkiller and swallowing it as and when required the prudent thing to do? But don’t we often do that just to get on with our daily lives?  Even when we are aware that it is harmful to our bodies and systems. But perhaps we’ve all done it over the years for ease and convenience, taking a toll on our livers and kidneys.

However, we can really take a cognizable and much better alternative route, which has been given to us by our very own mother nature. Ayurveda tells us how to take care of this menace without harming our body system.

What Drives Arthritis in our body

The aging process might exacerbate arthritis symptoms. In the worst situations, it can hinder the older person’s psoriasis, gout, and fibromyalgia. Deterioration of joint cartilage is the hallmark symptom of osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that can last for years. When a joint’s shock absorption capacity is diminished, it becomes stiff, painful, and unable to move as freely as it once did.

As a result of joint inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis develops. When the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues by mistake, this is called “autoimmune illness.” It causes joint pain, inflammation, redness, and swelling; these symptoms are typical of rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the organs that could be hurt by this inflammation are the muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and eyes.

Different forms of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that gradually wears away at cartilage over time. Stiffness, pain, and a decreased range of motion are all symptoms of a joint that has lost its shock absorber.

Juvenile arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that can affect kids under the age of 16. Joint inflammation is another common symptom of this form of arthritis.

People with psoriasis are more likely to get psoriatic arthritis, a form of chronic inflammatory arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis causes joint pain, swelling, stiffness in the morning, and a lot of tiredness.

According to Ayurveda, the signs of arthritis are

• The Angamarda, or a severe physical discomfort
• The state of lacking flavor, or aruchi
• Excessive Thirst, or Trishna
• Inertia, sluggishness, alasya, whatever you want to call it
• Feelings of heaviness (gourava) and fever (jwara)
• Aching muscles and aching joints in the morning
• discomfort in the limbs ( similar to the pain as stung by a scorpion)

Other symptoms also include fullness in the stomach, difficulty passing gas, and sleeplessness.

The Ayurvedic way of treating Arthritis Pain

Amavata, an Ayurvedic disease, shares symptoms with arthritis, a condition well-known to Western medicine. Amavata, which means that food essence was not digested or made correctly, and a messed-up Vata Dosha are the main causes of this illness. Amavata is mostly caused by what people eat, especially as they get older and their ability to digest food naturally goes down. The end result is sandhivata, which is osteoarthritis. This common condition in older people causes long-term pain and makes life less enjoyable.

Arthritis can be cured with the help of Ayurvedic treatments like Virechan, Abhyangam, Basti, and Upanaham, which normalize digestion and metabolism. In these procedures, medicated oils are used to lubricate the joints and strengthen the muscles near the problem areas. As an added bonus, ayurvedic oral drugs like guggul and sallaki work along with the therapies to provide beneficial outcomes and boost the quality of life for the patient.

Virechan’s Compendium of Ayurvedic Medicine for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Panchakarma treatment plans like the one we’ll be looking at today, called Virechan, are great for relieving the symptoms of Pitta-related illnesses. It helps cleanse the digestive system, gallbladder, and liver to calm the Pitta and get rid of its problems. The blood is also cleansed by Virechan. Medicated ghritams are used in sedation and oleation therapies to bring the vitiated doshas to the surface so that the patient’s health can be checked before expurgation. 

After the dose has worked and the doshas have been gotten rid of orally, the person will have to go to the bathroom often. Following treatment, the patient must fast and eat very little. Arthritis, gout, skin problems, heart problems, jaundice, gallstones, obesity, and allergies are just some of the conditions that can be helped by the detoxifier Virechan.

Abhyangam:

This is a traditional Indian practice that involves massaging the entire body with healing oils. This treatment lessens the friction between joints and strengthens the muscles that surround and support them. Abhyangam eases the inflammatory pain caused by arthritis by improving blood flow and making it easier for the body to get rid of waste products quickly.

In this 45- to 50-minute treatment, two massage therapists use synchronized strokes and pressure to apply herbal oils all over the patient’s body in seven different positions. The doshas are balanced, stiffness in the joints and muscles is relieved, and the whole body is treated because of the rhythmic movements. Abhyangam is used to treat a wide range of health problems, such as arthritis, spondylosis, paralysis, insomnia, and a weak immune system.

Basti:

The Panchakarma procedure known as Basti is very useful for balancing Vata dosha. Arthritis and other vata disorders, such as constipation, are alleviated. There are eight kinds of basti, each of which is applied in certain circumstances.

As a process of this cure, an oil enema or a decoction enema, a liquid is put into the rectum. When you get this treatment, your body will get rid of any extra doshas and other harmful substances.

Some vata problems that can be helped with basti are arthritis, gout, rheumatism, headaches, and muscle spasms. Sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, heartache, constipation, and sciatica are all treated effectively.

Upanaham:

Upanaham is a potent Ayurvedic treatment for arthritis-related joint discomfort. This treatment helps ease the pain and swelling of osteoarthritis and reduces the pain and swelling from joint injuries.

In therapy, a warm, medicated herbal paste is put on the area, which is then covered with pain-relieving herb leaves and bandaged with a cotton cloth. The bandages are removed after a few hours. After a few hours, the bandages were taken off.

All of your muscles will get stronger and your blood flow will increase thanks to Upanaham. The inflammation and pain of arthritic joints are reduced.

Arthritis management by Traditional way

The Indian traditional medicine system, or the age-old home remedy, uses a Panchakarma therapy procedure with a step-by-step guide and Ayurvedic medicines to treat joint pain and arthritic symptoms. In order to treat Amavata, it is important to use both shodhana, or purification therapy, and shamana, or palliative treatment. Vata.

• Once the digestive fire has been restored and the ama has been gotten rid of through fasting and some natural medicines, the body is ready for the next purification process.

Panchakarma therapies like Basti for 8 or 16 days or Virechana are scheduled after Ama removal, as are oleation therapies like Abhyanga and Kizhi.

• Once the necessary treatments are done, the patient is given Kashayam, which includes decoctions, tablets, and different powders to take over time.

Also, it is suggested that you make major changes to your diet and way of life.

The pain-relieving and mobility-enhancing effects of sallaki and guggul are well observed and have been a huge success to alleviate pain.

Because it reduces inflammation and pain in the joints, hot water fermentation is the best treatment for arthritis. This is only suggested for mild cases. It is impossible to generalize about which herbs should be used to treat a given ailment because each individual is different and the severity of their illness varies, but there are some plants that may be used by everybody.

Experts in Ayurveda have recommended the following herbs for alleviating the discomfort of arthritis:

1. Nirgundi 

In Ayurvedic medicine, nirgundi is a common treatment for aching joints of any kind. Nirgundi consumption has been linked to decreased swelling and lessened pain. Because it has strong anti-inflammatory, anti-seizure, and antioxidant properties, it helps the joints get back to being healthy quickly. 

The leaves of the Nirgundi plant are thought to have the most medicinal value. The stem and the seeds come in second and third. Its bitterness and heat make it an excellent remedy for aching joints. Nirgundi oil can be massaged into sore muscles and joints, while leaf paste can be applied externally or ingested, and a leaf decoction can be brewed for internal use.

2. Ajwain 

Carom seeds, also called Ajwain, are a great food to eat if you have arthritis pain because they have anti-inflammatory properties. Ajwain’s anesthetic qualities are particularly useful in the winter because they aid in alleviating excessive discomfort brought on by the cold. 

Soaking sore joints for 5–10 minutes in hot water with carom seeds or ajwain will reduce pain and swelling. You can also apply a paste made from these seeds to the painful area to get relief. An alternate option is to consume water infused with ajwain on a daily basis.

3. Dashmool

Dashmool, a combination of 10 different healing herbs, is used for a wide range of conditions. The roots of five trees and five plants make up the “10 roots” of dashmool. Some examples are Patala, Gambhari, Brihati, and Shalparni. The inflammation caused by Vata Rog can be alleviated with Dashmool or Dashmula. Joint pain is relieved thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and calming effects. The product is sold as both an oil and a powder.

4. Shallaki

The Shallaki herb has many benefits, two of which are that it relieves joint pain naturally and makes the body stronger. Along with improving movement, it also reduces emphysema. Shallaki, also called Boswellia serrata, is a plant that can be purchased as an essential oil or a powder.

5. Ginger

Does this miracle food have any limitations? Ginger is well-known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to relieve joint pain and swelling. It has also been shown to improve blood flow, which can alleviate pain in the region. Drinking ginger tea or rubbing the ginger paste on your joints can help, as can massaging with high-quality essential oils that help digestion.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, and no medical advice should be inferred from it. Before changing your diet or adding supplements, please talk to your doctor.

The author’s views are his or her own. The facts and opinions in the article have been taken from various articles and commentaries available in the online media and Eastside Writers does not take any responsibility or obligation for them.

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