Osteoarthritis

There are three main types of arthritis rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, & gout. Most of the people don’t have any idea about all of them. So let’s start with the complete knowledge of osteoarthritis. It is a degenerative joint disorder that is very common among older people. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage cushions the end of bones causing wear and tear with time. The joint loses its normal shape with time small bone spurs & its deposits are formed on the edges of the joints. This disorder affects the joints of hands, hips, knees, & spine that cause excessive pain.

The patients with osteoarthritis have pain in joints & stiffness. Mostly old age people after 45 are at higher risk of osteoarthritis.

What are the Signs & Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

The sings & symptoms seen in osteoarthritis patients are:

• There is unbearable pain in the joints after or during movement.
• Early in the morning joint stiffness are common.
• The flexibility in between the joints is lost.
• Feeling of tenderness when a light pressure is applied over joint.
• Appearance of bone spur like hard lumps over affected joints.
• Swelling & inflammation around the joints.
• Popping or crackling sound is heard in the joints.

What are the Causes of Osteoarthritis?

There are different factors that are believed to be the cause of wear and tear of the joints mentioned below in detail:

• Being overweight is the main cause that increases the risk of osteoarthritis as it produces cytokines an inflammatory chemical responsible for the joints damage.
• If in your family there is someone going through osteoarthritis situation than you may be a sufferer.
• Injuries to the joints due to surgery, ligament tears, and fracture are the causes for osteoarthritis.
• Metabolic disorder like hemochromatosis is responsible for osteoarthritis.

What is the Ayurvedic view of Osteoarthritis?

In Ayurveda the osteoarthritis is a type of vata disorder that is named as “Sandhigatvata”. This is one of the common problems in elderly people that affect the quality of life. Mainly vata dosha is imbalanced in this arthritis as compare to pitta & kapha dosha.

What is the Ayurvedic Treatment of Osteoarthritis?

In Ayurveda there are numerous herbs that balance the vata dosha responsible for osteoarthritis. The herbs like Haridra, Ginger, Ashwagandha, Nirgundi, etc play an important role in balancing the vata dosha and reduces, pain, inflammation, & stiffness of the joints. Chandigarh Ayurved Centre introduces a kit that comprises various ayurvedic medicines known as “Osteoarthritis care kit”. This kit is an overall, safe, & natural treatment for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

All products description in detail:

1. Asthi Shakti

These herbal tablets are prepared from ingredients like Ashwagandha, Shilajeet, Amalaki, Abhrak bhasma, Yashad bhasma, & Muktashukti bhasma. This herbal tablet reduces inflammation, pain, stiffness, swelling of the joints. The regular use of this tablet removes spurs associated to osteoarthritis patients.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.

2. Detox Premium Powder

This herbal powder is prepared from ingredients such as Parwal pishti, Shukta pishti, Moti pishti, Giloy satva, Jahar mohra pishti, Akik pishti, Gandhak rasayan, Tal sindoor, etc that balances vata dosha in the body. The use of this powder reduces pain, stiffness, inflammation, & swelling of the joints. Hence it provides good result to the osteoarthritis patients.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.

3. Vatnashak Tablet

It is an ayurvedic preparation that is prepared from ingredients like Abhrak, Giloy, Trivang bhasma, Jahar mohra pishti, etc. This herbal tablet balances the vata dosha that is mainly responsible for osteoarthritis.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.

4. Vishtinduk Vati

These herbal tablets are prepared from Visamusti churna & Rajat vraka. It is an excellent nervine tonic that treats pain, inflammation, swelling, & stiffness of the joints. This vati provides very effective & long-lasting results to osteoarthritis patients.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.

5. Dhatuposhak Churna

This herbal churna is prepared from ingredients such as Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), etc. that in combination give good result in osteoarthritis.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 teaspoonful twice daily with normal water.

6. Panchsakar Churna

This herbal churna is prepared from ingredients like Swarnapatri, Shunthi, Balaharitaki, Shatapushpa, & Saindhav Lavana that helps in detoxification of the body. These herbs show anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, & immuno-modulator properties. As the toxins are removed from the body automatically pain, stiffness, inflammation, & swelling of joints are managed with the use of this churna.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 teaspoonful with lukewarm water at bedtime.

What is the Panchakarma Treatment for Osteoarthritis?

Panchakarma is the best way that balances all the doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) in the body. Along with Ayurvedic medicines these panchakarma procedures give effective & long lasting results. The various panchakarma for osteoarthritis patients are mentioned below in detail:

• Patra potli pind sweda: In this procedure, a potli is prepared with some herbal leaves like Nirgundi, Eranda, Neem, etc. These herbs are wrapped in potli after that it is dipped in medicated oil. This medicated potli is applied over the whole body. The procedure is done for 45 minutes.
• Shasti shali pind sweda: In this procedure, a potli is wrapped with shasti shali rice. After that it is cooked in medicated oil. This potli is applied over the affected area of the body. This whole procedure is done for 45 minutes atleast.
• Janu basti: A ring with the dough is prepared on the knees. After that lukewarm oil is poured in it. Then the oil is soaked with the sponge. This is done three to four times to keep your knee joints in good condition.
• Abhayanga: In this procedure, whole body is massaged with medicated oil for removing pain, stiffness, swelling, & inflammation in osteoarthritis patients.
• Basti: This procedure is done for removing the toxins from the body. Medicated oil & decoction is given in the form of enema to the patients.

Healthy Tips & Diet for Osteoarthritis patients:

• Include green vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, green grams, yellow lentils, & pink lentils in your diet.
• Drink green coconut water daily.
• Take half teaspoonful of pure turmeric in a glass of cow’s milk. Drink this milk once daily.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Include nuts in your diet by soaking it overnight.
• Do perform yoga poses like surya namaskar, vajrasana, tad asana, sukh asana, Gomukhasana, etc.
• Meditation is also good for osteoarthritis patients as stress also increases the condition.
• Drink 20 ml amla juice with equal amount of water.