World Arthritis Day

World Arthritis Day 2017 aims at creating awareness on the benefits of early diagnosis of rheumatic and musculo-skeletal disorders. “Don’t delay, connect today” is the slogan behind this year’s Arthritis day.

What is Arthritis ?

Arthritis is a Greek word which means inflammation in joints. It is a name for general joint disease or disorder. There are several types of Arthritis and related disorders. The symptoms of this disorder is decreased range of motion, swelling, pain and inflammation in joints of ankles, knees, fingers, hands, toes, wrists, shoulder and even hips and spine. The symptoms may range from mild to severe, sometimes disappear after a period of time. Some chronic Arthritis can cause permanent changes/ damage to the joints.

Ayurvedic approach to Arthritis:

According to Ayurveda, healthy and flexible joints depend upon digestion and metabolism. Aggravated vata and the ama-(the undigested sticky fluid) move from the gut to the circulatory channels of the body and find a right place to settle in. The joints are the weak and vulnerable parts of body that accommodate this aggravated vata and ama. Aggravated vata causes a drying effect on the soft tissues and joints along with the bones. This causes the deterioration and damage to the tissues and bones. Ama also blocks the nutrition flow to these areas and cause further damage. The irritation, swelling and pain is caused due to the above condition. According to Ayurveda, there are two types of Arthritis –

-Sandhigat Vata- osteoarthritis

-Ama Vat – rheumatoid arthritis

Ama Vata is attributed to the autoimmune disorder in Ayurveda.

World Arthritis Day

Treating arthritis in Ayurveda:

Ayurveda doesn’t treat the symptoms. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan in Ayurveda. Each person’s physical constitution and history of their illness is analysed. In general the treatment includes the following procedures,

Agni – the digestive fire is strengthened
Unique deep cleansing – panchakarma treatment
Rejuvenation therapies
Improves the lubrication in joints through massages.
Pacifying vata through diet and change in lifestyle.
Herbal supplements

It is better for all to take the best medicine – prevention. Get your doshas balanced, Agni strengthened and a perfect lifestyle that doesn’t allow the ama to accumulate.

On this day, let us get nearer to Nature – it heals.