Rheumatoid Arthritis & Ayurveda: Restoring Joint Health Naturally
systemic disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) mainly results in joint inflammation, discomfort, and loss of function, which can lead to joint destruction and deformity. The severity of the condition varies, with some joints experiencing minor inflammation and others experiencing symmetric involvement in several joints, primarily in the hands and feet. The food that we eat is processed by the digestive fire, which separates the necessary components and transforms them into the body’s shape. A balanced and robust constitution can also be maintained with its help. Each of the six Agni types has an impact on the immune system. An advantageous immune response is produced by balanced Agni.
When the agni is improper the food itself turned into the toxins which is known as ama in ayurveda. these ama travels all over the body and get deposited in each and every cell in our body. Because of the deposition of toxins inside the cells it shows some inflammatory reactions which causes the condition amavata. Amavata and rheumatoid arthritis exhibits the same symptoms. This mechanism is related to the way rheumatoid arthritis (RA) occurs, in which the immune system causes inflammation that affects the joints. While Kapha and Pitta imbalances result in stiffness and oedema, Vata Dosha produces discomfort and dryness. For long-term healing, the Ayurvedic approach emphasises balancing Vata, removing Ama, and regulating Agni.
Signs and symptoms
The condition often starts with progressive pain, oedema, and stiffness in the wrist, ankle, metatarso-phalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, and metacarpo-phalangeal joints in the hands and feet. Additionally, frequently impacted are the knees, elbows, shoulders, and temporo-mandibular (TM) joints. Pain in the hips and lower back is less frequent. Children’s neck joints are often impacted. It is fairly typical to have morning stiffness that lasts for one hour or more. Other concerns include depression, low-grade fever, muscular pain, exhaustion, appetite loss, and thirst.
Ayurvedic approach
Ayurveda provides a comprehensive approach to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a prevalent and degenerative condition. A variety of treatments that target the underlying cause of the illness are included in the patient-specific pragmatic therapy of Ayurveda for RA. Ayurvedic therapeutic approaches such as Rasayana , Panchakarma, Shamana Aushadhi, Ahara and Vihara, and yoga can successfully control RA. By detoxifying the body and ridding it of waste products from metabolism, panchakarma operations can reduce the pathogenesis and therefore open the door for Vata. They also improve the metabolic system, which lowers Vataprakopa.
Diet
Digestion and breakdown of Aama are aided by warm water medicated with Panchkola (Pippali, Pippalimula, Chavya, Chitraka, and Shunthi) in a tiny quantity at a time.
It is advised to use barley, horse gram, and red rice. These meals are easy to digest and light. Inflammatory indicators are reduced by barley kernels and barley-derived products.
It is advised to eat vegetables that have a bitter flavour, such as gokhshura (Tribulus terrestris), neem (Azadirachta indica), patola or luffa, and bitter melon (Memordica charantia).
In addition to their ability to promote Agni, spices like ginger, turmeric, and garlic can also use.
Treatments
• Valuka swedam – it is the bolus bag that prepared with sand. Without applying oil give the bolus bag massage that will bring dryness to the vitiated kapha dosha.
• Podi kizhi (powder bolus bag)- bolus bag made with kolakulathadi powder for the massage. Without applying oil doing the bolus bag massage.
• Abyanga – oileation on the first stage of amavata is not adviced. Once the toxins are eliminated person can go for abyanaga with pinda taila. This massage helps for the joint mobility.
• Virechana – administration of purgation can also be done to remove the toxin deposition in body.
Home remedies
• Dil seed powder (sathakuppa) mixed with danyamala can apply on the affected part
• Performing dhara with decoction prepared with root of kanjiram (strychnous nux vomica).
• Applying paste of jatamayadi powder
Yoga
People with rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from yoga, meditation, and physical activity. In addition to increasing joint strength, mobility, and quality of life, yoga can help lessen pain. For those who are in pain, it may seem contradictory, but mild to moderate exercise can help reduce inflammation and increase range of motion. Additionally, since excess weight can put stress on the joints, it helps with weight management.
Additionally, stress can be reduced by using relaxation methods like deep breathing. Excessive forms of exercise should be avoided, though.
• Virabadrasana – Place your feet three to four feet apart, with one foot turned out at a 90-degree angle and the other slightly inward.
Maintaining the front knee’s alignment over the ankle, bend it.
Depending on the variant, extend the arms overhead or to the sides.
Use your leg and core muscles to keep your balance and stability.
• Vrikshasana- Take a tall stance with your arms at your sides and your feet together
Place the sole of the foot on the inside thigh of the standing leg, near the groin, and bend the knee of one leg.
Make sure your balance is steady and your standing leg is firm and straight.
After achieving balance, you can stretch your arms upward, palms facing up in a prayer pose, or lift them above your head.
Hold and Breathe: Hold the posture for a few breaths, paying attention to your breathing and keeping your equilibrium.
Release the raised leg and slowly drop your arms, then repeat on the opposite side.
• Setubandasana – Place your feet firmly on the floor, hip-width apart, and bend your knees while lying flat on your back.
Lay your arms palms down by your sides.
Take a deep breath, then slowly raise your hips off the floor while keeping your feet firmly on the ground.
Make sure your thighs are hip-width apart and parallel.
Take deep breaths and hold the position for 15 to 30 seconds.
Let out a breath and slowly return to the floor.
• Trikonasana –Begin by putting your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
Breathe in while raising both arms parallel to the floor and out to the sides.
Exhale by bending your torso to one side at the waist and extending one arm suspended and one hand towards your leg.
Keep your back straight and look up or at your hand.
Take a breath to get back to where you were before, then do it on the opposite side.
• Paschimottanasana – To begin, take a seat with your feet flexed and your legs straight in front of you.
To sit tall and stretch your spine, take a deep breath.
Exhale and fold: Exhale and bend forward at the hips, aiming for your shins or toes.
Hold and breathe: Maintain the stance while letting your body relax and taking deep breaths.
Release and repeat: Let go of the stance gradually and repeat as needed.
Commonly used medicines
kashayas
• Maha rasnadi kashayam
• Rasna sapthakam kashayam
• Rasna panchakam kashyam
• Amruthotharam kashayam
Tablets
• Yogaraja guggulu
• Simhanada guggulu
• Punarnava guggulu
• Triphala guugulu
Powders
• Vaiswanara choornam
• Panchakola choornam
• Shaddharanam choornam