Although arthritis is an umbrella term for joint inflammation, there are many different types of arthritis. Some types erode the joint and cause it to deteriorate over time; others are caused by the immune system attacking the joint; and others are caused by an accumulation of crystals in the joint. What they have in common is the pain, stiffness and a joint that doesn't move in the way it did before.
Most joint diseases are considered under Sandhivata in Ayurveda which can be considered as a Vata related disease in which lubrication and nourishment of the joint is depleted and the bones rub against each other more than they should. But not all cases are Vata. In addition, Ayurveda acknowledges the condition of inflammation of the joints caused by Pitta and Kapha, which are more akin to gouty or inflammatory arthritis, and to Kapha, which is associated with fluid and stiffness in certain types of osteoarthritis.
The most helpful thing you can do for arthritis treatment in Pune is to determine the pattern your arthritis is following, because it will be different from the pattern of which arthritis exercises and medicines you will use.
Symptoms of Arthritis
The symptoms of arthritis vary from one type to another and with the stage of the disease, but all of them have these common factors:
- Long-term pain in one or more joints, that can get worse during activity or, sometimes, during rest.
- Increased stiffness of the joints, particularly when getting up in the morning or after sitting for a while.
- Inflammation around the affected joint.
- Limited range of motion, lack of flexibility in bending, gripping or straightening a joint completely.
- The feeling of grinding or clicking when moving.
- Warmth and redness around the joint (more common in inflammatory types).
- Fatigue, especially due to autoimmune arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Joint deformity, in chronic, inadequately treated cases.
When it is painful, stiff and swollen and these symptoms last longer than a few weeks, it is best to have the joint checked out, not put it down to “wear and tear”.
Common causes and risk factors
There is no single known cause of arthritis and that is why it is very important that an accurate diagnosis is made before commencing treatment. The common causes and risk factors are:
- The main cause of osteoarthritis is caused by the gradual thinning of cartilage, which is due to age-related wear and tear.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system contains a faulty signal that attacks the lining of the joints.
- To start, uric acid tends to accumulate and crystallise in the joint, causing a sudden, severe attack, which is typically seen in gout.
- There are several types of arthritis that are hereditary.
- Extra pounds put direct pressure on weight-bearing joints such as knees and hips, increasing the chances of obesity.
- Injuries or infections from previous joint injuries, which may wear joints down over time.
- Strain in the job, repetitive motion of the joints or physical exertion.
The habits which aggravate vata: Ayurveda considers these to be at the root of sandhivata and are irregular routine, excessive exposure to cold or dryness, and a vata deteriorating diet.
Ama (toxins) from poor digestion which was thought to accumulate in weaker joints and aggravate inflammation with time in Ayurveda.
Prevention of Arthritis
Although there are some risk factors such as age that cannot be altered, there are many everyday habits that truly govern the progression of arthritis.
- Keep a proper body weight as lesser load leads to lesser wear over time.
- Regular, gentle and consistent activity keeps joints lubricated and muscles supportive around them.
- Keep joints warm and dry (cold and damp are aggravators of Vata-related joint pain).
- Consume foods to aid the digestion and to prevent accumulation of toxins, as in Ayurveda, it is said that poor digestion and accumulation of toxins lead to aggravated joint inflammation.
- Try not to overuse any single joint, change your movement and posture throughout the day, not repeating the same one for long periods.
- Early morning stiffness, early detection of joint problems will make a difference to the long-term outcome.
Be sure to get persistent joint pain diagnosed correctly and do not self diagnose it as simply "arthritis" and take painkillers for ever.
About Dr. Rajeev Keloth Nambiar
At the time when most of the patients need arthritis treatment in pune, they have already tried painkiller medicines or steroid injection for some time and then it failed to work. Dr. Rajeev Keloth Nambiar (BAMS, MD), of Dr. Nambiar's Advanced Ayurveda, begins by pinpointing what exactly is causing the joint pain Vata-dominant Sandhivata, Pitta-driven inflammatory arthritis or Kapha-related swelling because treating all arthritis the same doesn't produce permanent results.
Treatment focuses on bringing back into balance the particular dosha that is imbalanced, with specific herbal formulations, therapies which reduce inflammation and increase lubrication of the joints, and dietary correction for the digestive and toxin-related factors Ayurveda sees as a central element of joint disease. It also involves ramping down use of long-term painkillers or steroids, if they have been relied on, as the underlying inflammation actually settles in many patients, not just because they are being replaced from session to session.
Dr. Nambiar has treated patients for nearly two decades with spine, joint and autoimmune conditions, and many of his patients regained mobility and decreased on conventional medicines through his sustained root-level approach to their ailment, which he has done for almost every type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and chikungunya related joint disease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's):
The type and stage of arthritis determines the amount of cure that's possible, but most patients experience significant, long-lasting pain, stiffness and improvement in their mobility once the underlying imbalance is properly addressed.
Osteoarthritis is primarily a wear and tear problem of the cartilage of the joint, and rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the lining of the joint. They need quite different treatment approaches.
No. Osteoarthritis can occur at any age; other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout and post-viral arthritis (e.g. after chikungunya) can also affect younger adults.
In Ayurvedic Medicine, Vata driven joint disease, Sandhivata, is characterized as joint disease resulting from decreased lubrication and nourishment of the joint, causing pain, stiffness, and a grinding sensation, similar to osteoarthritis.
Yes. Ayurveda links poor digestion and toxin build-up directly to worsening joint inflammation, so dietary correction is often a meaningful part of long-term arthritis management.
It varies by type and severity, but many patients notice improved mobility and reduced pain within a few weeks of starting a properly tailored treatment plan.