Osteoarthritis and Its Ayurvedic Solution

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease. It occurs when the cartilage between bones in the joints gets damaged due to degenerative changes. Cartilage cushions the bones from rubbing against each other’s surface while various movements. In the case of OA this cushion gets deteriorate and causes friction in the movements and resulting in inflammation called arthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It is mostly associated with aging factors. It is usually low-grade inflammation of the weight-wearing joints that results in pain and swelling. When this condition persists for a long duration can result in loss of movement, issues with gates, general feeling of not being well, and disturbs a person physically and psychologically.

When we see in Ayurveda about joint diseases, Osteoarthritis can be co-related to Sandhivata or sandhigat vata.

Let’s understand what Sandhivata is; It is a disease caused by the vitiated Vata dosha (Vatavyadhi). It is a Vatavyadhi, located in vital points, bones, and joints (Marmasthisandhi), and its occurrence in old age makes it difficult to cure (Kashtasadhya). Vata Dosha plays the main role in this disease, causes lots of pain and discomfort (Shula Pradhana Vedana ) is the cardinal feature of the disease associated with swelling ( Sandhishotha) and a feeling of joint got filled with air (Vata Purna Druti Sparsha), lack of movements or painful movement of the joints.

Let’s understand what happens actually during the encounter with Sandhivata;

Due to the vata vitiation (Vata vitiating food and lifestyle) and with the aging (natural increase in vata dosha due to dhatu kshaya),vata moves from its place and get lodged in the joints and gives rise to a disease, called Sandhivata or sandhigat vata. For a better understanding, it can be explained this way that, due to vata aggravation factors like age, degenerative changes, old injuries, unhealthy lifestyle, unhealthy or improper food/nourishment, there is drying up of synovial fluid, and loss of cartilage tissue. This cartilage tissue on the bone surface and synovial fluid prevent friction while movements of joints and in the absence of this, bones get rubbed and get damaged leading to severe inflammation of joints.

Factors that increase the risk of osteoarthritis include

Old age – With age degenerative changes takes place and the risk of osteoarthritis increases with age.
Gender – Women are more prone to develop osteoarthritis, as hormonal changes take place during and post-menopausal phases.
Congenital deformities – Few people are born with malformed joints or defective cartilage can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Injuries – Injuries, to bones or joints may increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Obesity – Carrying more bodyweight put more stress on weight-bearing joints and can aggravate joint issues.
Lack of exercise – exercise is necessary for the proper circulation around the joints.
Occupation – Osteoarthritis can be an occupational hazard.
Secondary to diseases – Diabetes, underactive thyroid, gout, or Paget’s disease of bone can increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis.
Family history – Family history adds to certain extensions to this disease.

Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis;

Mostly clinical symptoms and signs are sufficient to diagnose OA or a physical examination by a physician can detect it easily. Other advanced measures are there that may be considered in case of complexity.

X-rays, arthroscopy, ultrasound, MRI, CT scan etc. are used especially. X-rays are the main diagnostic tool among all, it shows the extent of joint deterioration, including narrowing of joint space, thinning or erosion of bone, excess fluid in the joint, and bone spurs or other abnormalities.

Now let us know the line of treatment or management of this degenerative arthritis;

The approach to treating or healing osteoarthritis should be comprehensive and complete. Hence here at Ketav’s Ayush health Paradise, we do Shodhna chikitsa (Purification treatment), and Shamna chikitsa (Palliative treatment) both by external and internal routes. Along with this we follow a planned protocol of oral medicines, diet , life style and Rasayana therapies to give the maximum possible benefits to the patients.

In the case of degenerative disease, early diagnosis and treatment is the key to controlling the progression and healing the damages. So depending upon the severity and damages to the joints we accordingly plan 15 to 21 days of Panchkarma therapies.

During these days we plan therapies to achieve maximum healing and the following objectives

Set up the dosha equilibrium in the body.
Improve the circulation around the joints.
Reduce the inflammation within and surrounding the joints.
Improve the range of movement by nourishing therapies.
Stabilize the affective joints by anti-inflammatory treatment.
Repair the wear tear to the rejuvenating therapies.

We would say as one gets encountered this degenerative disease, the first and foremost thing is to stop further progression or damage to the joints. Otherwise, OA will make you crippled and dependent if you don’t take care of it at the right time. With the passage of time, degenerative changes increase and your mental health also gets affected by the physical ailment.

Early detection followed by right kind of treatment, one can stop or slow down the disease pathology. The OA associated with the age factor is degenerative in nature, is also stubborn kind of disease hardly get controlled with oral medications. Classical Ayurvedic therapies can do wonder to pacify the symptoms and stop the degenerative changes. Ayurvedic panchkarma therapies works on alleviation of root cause of the disease.

Few Dos and Don’ts as per Ayurveda that may help in OA

Do’s:

Intake of Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), Lavana (salt) and Snigdha (unctuous) food, Garlic, Ginger, Asafetida, Black pepper spices etc
Regular habit of exercising
Maintaining healthy weight
Practice all kind of movements of the joints
Wholesome diet
Protect any injury to the joints to prevent further damage

Don’ts: