Osteoarthritis And Ayurvedic Treatments - Sandhivata!

Definition: Osteoarthritis is the degenerative joint disease, involving weight-bearing joints. It usually occurs after 40 years of age. Articular cartilage, which provides a remarkably smooth surface during movement is gradually evaded.

Causes:  

• Obesity 
• excess or improper use of joint 
• poor nutrition
• improper posture
• use of unwholesome footwear

Feature : 

• Pain ( usually increased by activity and relieved by rest) 
• swelling (by increased bony prominence at joint margins )
• stiffness (self-limiting)
• sounds while walking 
• X-ray shows joint space narrowing and spur formation called osteophytes.

Principles of treatment in Ayurveda : 

• Oleation
• Fomentation ( 1. Patra Pinda Sweda 2. Shashtika shali Pinda Sweda)
• Mild purification
• enema
• Vata pacifying medicines
• Regulation of diet and lifestyle may also be applicable
• Bandage ( bandage tightly with leaves of vata pacifying drugs on affected joint . Bandage does not leave any space for vata to inflate the joint and is effective to correct the ligament).
• Application of a medicinal paste of vata pacifying leaves
• A poultice or Upnaha Sweda is one of the 4 types of Sweda explained by Acharya Sushruta.
• Medicines: Vata pacifying, disease-modifying, pain relief by guggul preparations. Rasayan for the rejuvenation of degenerated cells. Ayurvedic herbs for Inflammation and pain.
• Navarakhizi ( rice pudding massage ) 
• Phizichil (oil pouring ) once a year after 40 years
• Avoid jerky movements, continuous and excessive use of joint
• Avoid long-standing and a long walk.
• Maintain a healthy weight. 
• Avoid injuries to the joint.

Panchakarma treatments : 

• Janubasti
• Abhyanga
• Jatamyadi lepa