Do your joints swell, cause pain, or become stiff? Do you feel that your mobility has been restricted? If you experience any of these symptoms regularly or persistently, then you are likely to have a condition commonly known as Osteoarthritis. 

Osteoarthritis(OA) is a degenerative disease in which the cartilage that cushions a particular joint and facilitates smooth motion gradually erodes over time. The hand, neck, hip, spine, and knee joints are the most commonly affected by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can cause excruciating pain over time, as well as increased stiffness in the body's affected areas. Furthermore, there may be a loss of flexibility in the afflicted body joints, which could produce an exceedingly painful feeling.

Osteoarthritis As Per Ayurveda

Arthritis is referred to as a chronic inflammatory disease which affects one or more joints, causing pain, swelling, soreness, and stiffness in the affected joints. Osteoarthritis is mainly caused by the vata dosha, though the pita and kapha doshas are also involved, according to Ayurveda. It affects both sexes during the vata-dominant period of life, which often happens after the age of fifty. Vata, due to its dry and light nature, becomes vitiated in any joint, which causes the lubricating synovial fluid to dry up and eventually run out. The friction causes the cartilage to deteriorate, resulting in pain and restricted joint movement. The largest weight-bearing bones and joints in the body, including the hands, hips, knees, foot, and spine, are most impacted. Individuals may encounter joint pain or cracking in the early stages of the illness. If neglected, it may evolve to more severe phases that result in deformity, articular surface degradation, and total loss of function.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Osteoarthritis

The symptoms of osteoarthritis can be significantly decreased and controlled, but the condition is usually persistent and never completely healed. Patients with osteoarthritis may find an appropriate and effective solution in ayurvedic therapy.  Ayurvedic treatment has the dual benefits of stopping further cartilage deterioration and restoring function to injured cartilage. 

When it comes to managing arthritis or any diseases,  Ayurveda suggests developing a personalised treatment and therapy plan. Ayurveda has a distinct viewpoint on arthritis and related disorders based on the principles of agni and ama. Agni is the biological fire or digestive fire that is necessary for maintaining good health and performing several biochemical tasks within the body and, ama refers to the toxins that accumulate in the body as a result of the agni's malfunction, which can cause a variety of illnesses. These toxins that are built up in the stomach travel through the subtle pathways facilitated by the vitiated vata and enter in to the joints to cause 

In Ayurvedic medicine, treating osteoarthritis involves doing treatments like Panchakarma to eliminate gut toxins, reviving the digestive agni, and altering lifestyle and dietary habits that initially cause agni and ama to become vitiated.. While there is no known cure for osteoarthritis, the following treatment approaches can help manage the illness more effectively.

Common Ayurveda Treatments for Osteoarthritis

Panchakarma

Panchakarma, a sequence of ayurvedic detoxification and rejuvenation treatments, helps the body rid itself of toxins (ama) and regain equilibrium.

Steaming And Heating Procedures

The purpose of these techniques is to increase the stiffened joint structures' suppleness. They may also be helpful in unclogging any obstructions in the body's subtle channels.

Njavarakizhi

A generous amount of medicinal oil is applied to the entire body, and then warm muslin bag boluses of cooked Njavara rice are massaged into the skin. To produce sudation, the boluses are submerged in a warm, healing mixture of milk and herbs. Njavarakizhi is used to alleviate joint discomfort, muscle atrophy, and other forms of rheumatism.

Dhara

Applying heated herbal concoctions, medicinal liquids, or medicated milk to afflicted joints for 45 to 50 minutes is known as "Dhara." The individual's symptoms will determine which herbs or medicated liquids are used in the treatment. In a few hours, the technique can significantly relieve discomfort and edema.

Dietary Modifications

Maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet is essential for osteoarthritis management. Among the dietary suggestions are

• Give preference to warm, easily digestible, cooked foods.
• Add a range of veggies, lean meats, healthy fats, and whole grains.
• When cooking, incorporate warming spices like cumin, ginger, and turmeric.
• Steer clear of cold, uncooked, processed foods, as well as too much alcohol and caffeine.

Herbs

Herbal medicines are used to support healing, strengthen joints, and reduce inflammation. Herbs such as Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Guloochi (Tinospora cordifolia), Vishamushti (Strychnos nux vomica), etc. are frequently used to treat osteoarthritis.

Lifestyle Modifications

• Regularly perform low-impact exercises to increase joint strength and flexibility, such as yoga, swimming, or walking.
• Maintain a daily schedule that incorporates appropriate relaxation, sleep, and stress reduction techniques.
• Wear suitable clothing or use warm compresses to protect the joints that are impacted by cold and wet weather.

Conclusion

People with arthritis can be affected by this debilitating illness in all walks of life. Inflamed, swollen joints and painful motions can have a major and unpleasant impact on your life. Ayurveda offers cures and therapies that go above and beyond traditional practices to alleviate these effects. Additionally, these therapies are tailored to address each patient's specific symptoms due to their exceptional range and innate understanding of each person's distinct dosha. This allows for the design of the optimum treatment plan that will heal, soothe, and revitalize you. 

Visit Ayur Bethaniya if you want to regain your mobility and quality of life while getting rid of your excruciating arthritis symptoms. Osteoarthritis is treated at Ayur Bethaniya Ayurveda Hospital using a variety of ayurvedic therapies guided by a team of skilled therapists and experienced ayurvedic physicians. Using a variety of ayurvedic therapy techniques, they customise the treatment plan to avoid further deterioration of the damaged joint, minimise the symptoms connected with the ailment, and revitalise the body. Their herbal treatment programmes are safe and effective, and they are tailored to each patient's unique condition to help them recover from mild to severe osteoarthritis. In addition to offering the greatest medical facilities and equipment, they offer patients round-the-clock attention and assistance from highly qualified physicians and personnel.