arthritis

“Arthritis” is a group of conditions involving damage to the Joints of the body. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people older than fifty-five years.

There are different forms of arthritis; each has a different cause. The most common form of arthritis, OSTEOARTHRITIS (Degenerative Joint Disease) is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Emerging evidence suggests that abnormal anatomy might contribute to the early development of osteoarthritis.  Other Arthritis forms are RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS and PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS, autoimmune diseases in which the body attacks itself. SEPTIC ARTHRITIS is caused by joint infection. GOUTY ARTHRITIS is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint, causing inflammation. There is also an uncommon form of gout caused by the formation of rhomboid crystals of calcium pyrophosphate. This gout is known as PSEUDOGOUT.

Symptoms of Arthritis feature Pain, Redness, Swelling of the Joint, Stiffness of the Joint, Tenderness, gelling or locking of the Joints with Inactivity, Pain patterns may differ in different Arthritis. 

Physical examination may confirm the diagnosis, or may indicate systemic disease. Radiographs or X-rays, Bone scan, MRI scan are often used to follow progression or assess severity in a more quantitative manner.

Though the treatment of Arthritis is available in Allopathic System of Medicine, it’s only a Temporary relief, whereas Ayurveda is gaining more and more popularity day-by-day world wide because of its root cause elimination therapies and because of being natural. Ayurveda, since times immemorable, has the best answers in the Management of Spine and Joints. 

As per Ayurveda, the term Arthritis can be used to define Joint Pains, caused by aggravation of Vata (Air) Dosha and the excessive collection of Ama (Toxic by-product of improper digestion) in the body of an individual. When Ama increases in quantity, it starts getting deposited in the weaker areas of the body including the Joints leading to ‘Arthritis’. 

Principles in the Treatment of Arthritis in Ayurveda mainly Reduces the Symptoms, Maintains Joint Functions, Minimizes Disease Activity, Helps in Treating the complications and also aides in adjusting the Dietary as well as Life Style Changes.

Ayurvedic Treatments usually involve a series of ABHYANGAM, SWEDAM, NASYAM, ELAKIZHI, NAVARAKIZHI, KATI VASTHI, KASHAYA VASTHI & ANUVASANA VASTHI etc. Marma Chikitsa along with Vatahara Chikitsa and Brumhana Chikitsa are given utmost importance.