Debjyoti Kolkata Pain Clinic

Back pain can severely affect the quality of life. Ayurvedic treatment is considered to be one of the most effective treatments for back pain and sciatica. Multiple reasons can cause lower back pain. Lifestyle-related reasons, an injury, incorrect posture, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle are some of the most common causes of back pain. With the help of Ayurveda, back pain can actually be relieved and the conditions causing pain the back can be reversed. The following sections help how Ayurveda can actually help with back pain.

Apart from these treatment methods, Ayurveda suggests a few lifestyle changes to relieve back pain. Some of these include the following:

1. Stay away from cold: Cool temperatures can increase back pain. If you must travel in cold, ensure that you cover yourself with warm clothing. This offers comfort and can also prevent pain that is caused due to extreme cold.
2. Don’t take pungent spices: The body is left dry and dehydrated when you take a lot of pungent spices such as green and red chilies. Dryness is a characteristic associated with the Vata dosha. When dehydrating substances are consumed, the condition is worsened. This also leads to constipation, which is an important reason for aggravated lower back pain.
3. Eat fresh and warm foods: Cold food and drinks can aggravate the Vatta dosha. Congestion may result because of excessive consumption of cold foods. The human body needs warmth to eliminate wastes. When congestion is aggravated because of cold foods, it can also lead to constipation. This again causes back pain.
4. Use oil: Your body needs lubrication. Back pain is heightened when the body is stressed or overworked. Both these scenarios dehydrate the body. When dehydrated, the chances of losing lubricants are high. Therefore, apply oil all over the body and take a bath in warm water at least once a week. If you don’t find time for this, apply oil only to the lower back and the joints that are painful.
5. Try pranayama: Breathing with alternative nostrils is recommended by Ayurveda. This helps in balancing Vata. This has proven to be beneficial for people suffering from arthritis, spondylitis, and sciatica.
6. Consume helpful foods: Take foods that are easy to digest. Do not take oily and stale food items. You should include turmeric, valerian, hops, passion flower, and chamomile in every possible way in your diet to alleviate back pain. They reduce inflammation and mental tension.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. It affects the joints as well as the skin, lungs, heart, eyes and blood vessels. This condition is most notorious for the pain and discomfort it causes in the joints. Unlike osteoarthritis, it does not attack the cartilage but affects the lining of the joints.

This results in erosion of the bone tissue and can even cause deformities. There is no known cure for this condition and treatment is mostly focused on relieving the pain caused. Some of the ways to manage your pain are:

• Exercise Regularly: Rheumatoid arthritis makes movements difficult and hence exercising may seem counterintuitive but this can help in the long run. Avoid high-intensity workouts and pick low-intensity activities like walking, cycling, swimming etc. Water aerobics is one of the best forms of exercise for rheumatoid arthritis. Yoga can also be very beneficial. Regular exercise is important but it is also important not to overdo it. Put exercising on hold during acute flare-ups and avoid doing anything that increases your pain. It is a good idea to consult a physical therapist to know what the best type of activity is for you.
• Hot and cold packs: Heat and cold therapy can help relieve pain immensely. A hot pack will help relax the muscles while the cold pack will numb the pain. Heat packs and cold packs can be used alternatively. Alternatively, you could soak the affected joint in hot water and cold water.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Knee pain or injuries are very common and have numerous causes. Knee pain can emerge from delicate tissue wounds like ligament sprains and muscle strains. Bone conditions like knee joint pain, Osgood Schlatters, and biomechanical dysfunction can also cause knee pain. Treatment can include basic knee mobilization techniques, taping, massages or knee strengthening exercises completely through a careful recovery method after knee replacement or reconstruction.

Physiotherapy can help you overcome the pain and increase your strength and flexibility. A physiotherapist can suggest you a number of treatments and also help you understand your issue and get you back to your everyday routine. Physiotherapists are said to be successful in getting rid of the source of the knee pain by diagnosing a cause. This includes tightness around the knee and treating it with stretching and exercises.

Following are some of the exercises a physiotherapist might generally recommend for knee pain:

1. Calf stretch: Use a chair for balance. Bend your left leg. Step back with your right leg and gradually straighten it behind you. Press your left heel toward the floor. You should feel the stretch in the calf of your back leg. Hold for 20 seconds. Repeat twice and then switch legs.
2. Straight leg raise: It helps build muscle strength to give support to the weak joints. Lie on the floor. Twist your left knee, foot on the floor. Keep the right leg straight, toes pointed up. Tighten your thigh muscles and raise your right leg.
3. Quad set: With these, you don't raise your leg. Just tighten the thigh muscles, also called the quadriceps, of one leg at once. Begin by lying on the floor. Keep both legs on the ground, loose. Flex and hold the left leg tense for five seconds and then relax. Do three sets of ten repetitions. Switch legs after every set.
4. Cushion squeeze: This move strengthens your legs from the inside so that they can support the knees. Lie on your back, both knees facing inwards. Place a cushion or a pillow between the knees. Press your knees together, squishing the cushion between them. Hold for five seconds and then relax. Do three sets of ten repetitions. Switch legs after every set.
5. Heel raise: Stand tall and hold the back of a seat for support. Lift your heels off the ground and rise on the toes of both feet. Hold for three seconds. Gradually lower both heels to the ground. Do three sets of ten repetitions.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Sometimes children suffer from conditions where their feet may not be in proper shape or size which can affect their posture. Most of the times the disorders correct themselves as they grow up but certainly there can be situations where medical attention is required. These conditions can be normal variations in the anatomy as well which don't essentially require treatment. Some of the common orthopedic disorders found in children include:

1. Flatfeet: While most babies are born with flat feet which develop arches as they grow, in some case the arches remain underdeveloped even after they grow older. Their feet may turn inwards while they walk due to their flat nature. There is no inherent problem in this condition unless it becomes painful. Doctors may recommend special footwear with arches inserted for support to reduce the pain.

2. Toe Walking: Toe walking is not a disorder while your child is just learning to walk. Toddlers who continue to walk on their toes after the age of 3 may require medical attention. Toe walking on one leg or persistent toe walking can be due to other medical conditions like muscle weakness, cerebral palsy or autism. It is advisable to take your child to a therapist for casting the foot and ankle which can help stretch the muscles.

3. Pigeon Toes: In toeing or pigeon toeing is common among babies when they are first learning to walk. Sometimes children above 3 years walk with their toes inwards which can be due to femoral anteversion. This happens when upper part of the leg bends more than it naturally should causing inward rotation of the feet. Specially designed shoes and braces can help to correct this condition. Usually the condition corrects on its own with age and does not interfere with sport activities which involve running.

4. Knock-Knees: It is a common tendency among children aged between 3 and 6 to develop knock-knees (genu valgum), since their bodies go through natural shift in alignment. Usually treatment is not required as the legs straighten out eventually. Knock knees on one side or persistent knock knees may require medical attention. Children with this disorder may suffer from pain hence in some cases surgery is recommended after the age of 10.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!