Our limbs and joints are an essential part of the body; because of them, we can complete all our tasks easily; from eating food to running after the bus or train, we can do it all. Thus, keeping these parts of the body healthy is important.
However, factors such as age, injury and genetics lead to development of pain and discomfort in our joints, often leading to long-term problems such as arthritis.
In this blog, we will answer an important question: What is osteoarthritis? We will cover the symptoms, causes, and the best ayurvedic treatments for this problem.
Definition of Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the tissues in the joint break down over time. It is the most common type of arthritis, especially among older people. People affected by this disease suffer from joint pain, and after rest or inactivity, can experience stiffness for short periods. Affected joints include:
- Hands (ends of fingers, and the base and ends of thumbs)
- Knees
- Hips
- Neck
- Lower back.
What causes Osteoarthritis?
- Aging: The risk of this disease increases with age. This is because the cartilage becomes less resilient and more prone to wear and tear.
- Joint injury: Previous injuries to the joints, such as fractures, ligament tears, and dislocations can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life.
- Repetitive stress: Jobs or activities that involve repetitive motion or excessive stress on particular joints can lead to osteoarthritis.
- Obesity: Excessive body weight places additional stress on weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips, accelerating wear and tear on the cartilage.
- Genetics: People with a family history of the condition are more likely to develop this disease.
- Gender: Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than men. Hormonal changes, such as those that happen after menopause can play a significant role in this increased risk.
- Bone deformities: Congenital or developmental abnormalities in the bones or joints can predispose individuals to this disease.
- Joint Alignment issues: Misalignment of joints such as bow legs or knocked knees can lead to an uneven distribution of weight and stress on weight-bearing joints, thus leading to osteoarthritis.
- Metabolic disorders: Diabetes and hemochromatosis can significantly affect the health of the cartilage and increase the risk of the disease.
- Inflammation: Chronic low-level inflammation contributes to the breakdown of the cartilage and the development of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis:
- Pain while using the joint. While this can improve with rest, it may get worse at night during the later stages of life.
- Joint stiffness for less than 30 minutes in the morning or after resting.
- Joint changes that limit movement
- Swelling in and around the joint, especially after a lot of activity in that area.
- The feeling that the joint is loose or unstable.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis may also show in some particular joints of the body, such as:
- Hands: Bony enlargements or shape changes in the finger joints.
- Knees: Grinding or a scaping noise during movement. Muscle and ligament weakness can also cause the knee to buckle.
- Hips: Pain or stiffness in the hip joint, groin, inner thigh or buttock. Often, osteoarthritis in the hip can spread to the knees.
- Spine: Stiffness and pain in the neck or the lower back. Osteoarthritis in the spine can lead to spinal stenosis.
There are many Ayurvedic medicines for Osteoarthritis. Let’s look at some of the most common formulations and herbs that help with the treatment and relief of this joint disease:
- Ashwagandha: This herb has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and reduces pain and swelling in joints.
- Shallaki: Equipped with potent anti-inflammatory properties, Shallaki reduces joint pain and improves mobility.
- Turmeric: The curcumin in turmeric has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can be taken as a supplement or added to food.
- Guggulu: It reduces inflammation and supports joint health.
- Triphala: A combination of three fruits: Amla, Haritaki and Bibhitaki, it helps in detoxifying the body and reducing inflammation.
- Ginger: Has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and can be consumed with tea or added to meals.
Individuals suffering from osteoarthritis can also use oils such as the Mahanarayan or Dhanwantharam oil for massages. These oils particularly help in reducing joint pain and swelling.
The Panchakarma therapy is one of the most popular external detoxification and rejuvenation treatments for osteoarthritis. This therapy involves procedures such as Virechana (purgation), Basti (medicated enemas) and Abhyanga (Therapeutic massage).
It is important to take care of the diet and make some changes in lifestyle to gain relief from this disease; read on for a list of recommendations!
- Anti-inflammatory diet:
Consume foods rich in antioxidants, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
Avoid processed foods, excessive sugar and red meat.
- Regular exercise:
Low-impact activities such as walking, swimming and yoga help maintain joint mobility and improve muscle strength.
- Adequate hydration:
Drinking plenty of water helps keep joints hydrated.
- Weight management:
Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce stress in the weight-bearing joints is a good practice.
Jamna Herbals’ solution for Osteoarthritis:
Jamna Herbals’ Rasraj Kalp tablets have the power of Rasraj ras, Ashwagandha, Guggulu, Arjuna and Bala, all of which provide relief to the joints through their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Take a dose of 1 to 2 tablets with milk and get relief from any osteoarthritis-related pain, or take as advised by the physician. It is also advised to take the Vatantak syrup simultaneously with this medicine to ensure quick relief.
