Dr. Krishna Murthy

Bone issues are very common. From infection to inflammation to injuries to mere old age, bone issues are very common. Arthritis can happen with any of these conditions. The healing of this has two aspects one is to heal and reduce the pain and the second is to address the underlying condition. The range of motion needs to be improved, and further damage to the bones should be arrested.

Ayurveda identifies two types of joint problems, one is due to poorly nourished bones, which are prone to damage and the second is the over accumulation of toxins, leading to joint pain and stiffness. This joint pain would be further aggravated by damp weather.

Ayurveda also believes that the overdose of vaata leads to bone issues. So food items aimed at reducing vaata should be included so that balance is restored. There is more than one component to this healing. Food, lifestyle changes, herbs, and exercise manage bone issues, arthritis and the pain. Let’s see how.

1. Food: Eating whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a calcium rich diet is very essential for healing bones. Eat freshly cooked food items and include a lot of dairy products.
2. Lifestyle: A regular sleep schedule, which is in sync with the biological clock, is very essential. Also eat at regular intervals with the meals getting lighter as the day goes by. Exercise, even in the form of brisk walk, helps soothe joints and keeps them agile.
3. Massages: Oil massages like Abhyanga are very essential to prevent joint problems. They also help in reducing toxins, which are quite high in chronic conditions like arthritis. These oils can be applied directly on the joints too to improve lubrication, movement and reduce pain.
4. Go anti ama: There is another component known as ama, which is an equivalent of toxins. The diet and lifestyle should be aimed at reducing ama, which gets accumulated with age in the form of digestive toxins. Eat food products that are easy to digest, consume ama reducing spices like turmeric and pepper, avoid daytime napping and exercise regularly.

In addition, the following herbs are known to be beneficial for bone health.

1. Ashwagandha: It has rich anti-inflammatory properties, produces effects equivalent to steroids and helps in controlling joint pain and inflammation. Swelling and movement are also improved with its regular use.
2. Boswellia: Combined with Ashwagandha, this is another wonder drug that helps reduce bone inflammation. It suppresses release of chemicals responsible for inflammation and helps control pain and swelling.
3. Turmeric: One of the most acclaimed anti-inflammatory agents, it releases multiple enzymes and thereby controls inflammation.

So, for bone pain and arthritis, an NSAID is not the only remedy.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body recognizes the body's own system as foreign and produces an inflammatory reaction. The synovium which is the space between the bones and the joints and contains a lubricating fluid which allows easy movement of the joints.

Inflammation of this space leads to painful, swollen joints that can also turn red and become stiff over a period of time. The joint surfaces can gradually progress to produce deformities (the swan-neck deformity of the hand for instance) and disability.

Because it is an autoimmune disorder, the exact etiology is not known but a lifestyle, stress, cold weather are supposedly predisposing factors. That being the case, it is not surprising that Ayurveda has a variety of options, both in terms of do's and don't be to manage rheumatoid arthritis - both the severity of symptoms and further progression of the disease.

Do's: A well-planned diet will help by supporting optimal functioning of the immune system and nourish the affected joints.

1. People diagnosed with RA should follow a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. Drumsticks, bitter gourd, carrot, papaya, green leafy vegetables, etc., reduce inflammation and hyperactivity of the immune system. The antioxidant properties in these neutralize the free radicals circulating in the body (responsible for increasing inflammation). This helps control the longstanding inflammation of the joints. 
2. It is also advisable to eat them as whole fruits and not as juices. The fiber in the whole fruits helps digestion. 
3. Sprinkle pepper powder over cooling food items like cucumber and radish (or completely avoid eating such food). 
4. Include garlic which is an excellent remedy for RA, can be mixed with buttermilk.
5. Whole grains such as wheat, brown rice, millet, barley are beneficial for RA, their high fiber content helps in proper digestion and promotes regular bowel movements. 
6. Aged honey mixed with plain water. 
7. Drink boiled milk to which dry ginger powder is added; this can replace tea and coffee. 
8. Milk mixed with turmeric powder is also helpful in controlling inflammation. 
9. Work at reducing weight.

Don'ts: In addition to adding the above to your diet, there are some things to avoid, which can worsen symptoms of inflammation.

1. Avoid overall unhealthy and irregular diet habits which affects the immune system and aggravates symptoms. 
2. Avoid sleeping during daytime and staying awake at nights. 
3. Avoid deep fried foods and fermented food items. 
4. Given its autoimmune nature, it is better to avoid regular allergy-inducing foods like dairy products, soy, peanuts, processed foods, artificial additives, etc. These could trigger an enhanced allergic reaction. 
5. Avoid alcohol, tobacco. 
6. Avoid tea and coffee and other caffeinated drinks.

With simple daily food habit and lifestyle changes, the severity of RA can be managed effectively.