Do you suffer from unexplained joint pain and stiffness that doesn’t have any apparent cause? If the symptoms aggravate or persist, consult a doctor immediately. These symptoms may signify an onset of arthritis, causing inflammation of joints, pain, stiffness and disability.
Sore joints make any movement painful, reduce physical activity, and increase stiffness. Disuse atrophy sets in and soon becomes a vicious circle. The diagnosis often leads to emotional shock by imagining the worst-case scenario of becoming bedridden. This crippling disease is on the rise.
The serious disease is considered incurable by western medicine. The prescribed pain killers, anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids don’t address the root cause. Instead, the patient becomes dependent on these drugs and experiences serious consequences.
There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis and similar diseases out of which osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), gout and fibromyalgia are more prevalent.
Symptoms of arthritis include stiff, painful and inflamed joints, slight fever, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue, weight loss and decreased range of motion. However, they vary according to the type of arthritis.
Seeking a specialist’s opinion is crucial if you have symptoms and also the risk factors. Arthritis should not be ignored as it seriously damages bones and cartilage, resulting in deformity and disability.
Conventional treatment for arthritis includes prescription of pain killers to ease pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to lower both pain and inflammation and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and supress the immune system.
The treatment is long term and the patient may suffer complications due to long term use of drugs. Physiotherapy is prescribed to strengthen muscles around the joints and improve the range of motion. Surgery is recommended in some cases to realign the joints to reduce pain and improve function.
However, these are expensive and complicated procedures with several side effects.
According to Ayurveda, there are three types of musculoskeletal disorders, namely, amavata (rheumatoid arthritis), sandhivata (osteoarthritis) and vatarakta (gouty arthritis). The ancient science believes that excess vata or ama circulating in the body get deposited in the joints, producing swelling and inflammation, eventually resulting in arthritis.
Amavata or rheumatoid arthritis is the consequence of formation of metabolic waste called ama due to improper digestion. Osteoarthritis is caused by excess vata in the body. Lack of movement, emotional stress and improper lifestyle are some other reasons.
It involves modification of diet, massage and relaxation activities. It emphasizes yoga for full movement in the joint and flexibility to manage any type of arthritis. Herbs like ashwagandha, boswellia, ginger, guggulu, shatavari, triphala and turmeric are prescribed.
Arthritis affects the quality of life. If ignored it can lead to disability. Allopathy doesn’t offer much hope.
There is no need to ruminate on pain, imagine the worst-case scenario or feel hopeless. Ayurveda can help you to cope with this disease. Consult an Ayurvedic doctor to discuss the treatment and adopt a holistic way to manage arthritis.
(Nupur Roopa is a freelance writer, and a life coach for mothers. She writes articles on environment, food, history, parenting and travel.)
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