The most common type of arthritis, Osteoarthritis, often affects the knee. The condition mostly occurs in people aged 50 and older, however, due to a faulty lifestyle, it is likely to occur in younger ones too. Known as Sandhigata Vata in Ayurveda, in this degenerative joint disease, the knee joint cartilage slowly wears away, becoming uneven and frayed.
This deterioration reduces the protective space between the bones, leading to increased bone-on-bone contact. This friction can cause painful bone spurs, making life with osteoarthritis a hellish experience. While modern medicine can help you manage the symptoms, Ayurvedic therapies and herbal remedies are the perfect option to cure osteoarthritis completely.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that affects a large population of the world. This wear-and-tear degenerative disease typically occurs when the cartilage lining your joints wears down or is damaged, causing the bones in the joint to rub against each other during movement. It usually happens due to aging and, in some cases, injuries.
It commonly affects the knee and hip joints, and the knee joint condition is more painful. Although it is likely to affect only one knee, it can sometimes affect both knees. You should know that osteoarthritis causes severe pain and rigidity in the affected knee, and the pain may become worse at the end of the day.
Early diagnosis and intervention offers successful recovery in Ayurveda as it helps prevent arthritis from progressing. Acharya Charaka has described osteoarthritis, or Sandhivata, as a vitiation of Vata, noting symptoms such as inflammation, pain, difficulty walking, crepitus in the joint, and degenerative changes in the joints.
Common Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
Pain and difficulty while walking are the typical symptoms of knee joint osteoarthritis. Most patients often seek support from medical science for more effective knee pain relief. Common symptoms of osteoarthritis may include;
- Joint pain: Undeniably the most troubling symptom. Osteoarthritis pain relief often becomes challenging as the disease progresses and inflammation develops. While the pain may be eased by rest, it can become persistent in people aged 60 or older if left untreated.
- Swelling: Swelling can be triggered by inflammation of the soft tissue around the joint.
- Stiffness: Stiffness in the affected joint is often most noticeable in the morning.
- Tenderness: When pressure is applied to the knee or the area around it, you are likely to feel tenderness.
- Lack of flexibility: Movement of the joint becomes restricted affecting daily activities.
According to studies, more than 80% of adults in their mid-50s have osteoarthritis, with around 60% of them attempting multiple remedies for persistent knee pain relief. While Western medical science offers numerous treatment options for advanced-stage osteoarthritis, they do not offer remarkable recovery like the Ayurvedic system of medicine.
Osteoarthritis Risk Factors
- Older age and sex: The risk is higher in older people and women are more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis in the knee.
- Obesity: Having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 is linked to a higher chance of developing osteoarthritis in old age.
- Joint injuries: Sports or accident injuries can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
- Other health conditions: Diabetes, high cholesterol, and some autoimmune diseases that affect the joints can contribute to osteoarthritis.
Diagnosing Osteoarthritis
Contemporary treatments suggest that most people with osteoarthritis may have been suffering from it without showing symptoms. This increases the chance of the disease eventually causing unbearable knee pain, stiffness in the knee joints, difficulty walking, and swelling. Without any treatment, after 5-7 months, some people may also experience constipation.
Diagnosing osteoarthritis early is key to recovery. Osteoarthritis diagnosis is typically done through an x-ray or MRI, and a physical examination by your doctor, who may check the affected joints for tenderness, swelling, and flexibility. Wear and tear on your joints is common as you get older, but sports injuries and certain health conditions can directly damage the joints.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Osteoarthritis
According to Ayurveda, as the Vata dosha spreads throughout the body, it obstructs many channels and affects the joints, leading to osteoarthritis. A combination of Panchakarma therapies, herbal medicines, and physiotherapy is considered the best option for effectively treating this Vata-dominating condition.
Ayurvedic treatment for osteoarthritis constitutes;
- Panchakarma: Detoxification therapy to remove toxins, reduce inflammation, and improve joint health.
- Abhyanga: This oil massage therapy is super effective in treating osteoarthritis, obesity, and body pain. The patient’s entire body is massaged with warm, herbal-infused medicated oils.
- Swedana: This herbal steam therapy promotes joint flexibility by relieving stiffness.
- Njavarakizhi: Medicated oil is applied to the body, followed by massage with warm muslin bags filled with cooked njavara rice, which is dipped in a mix of milk and herbal decoctions.
- Rasayana treatment: One of the most effective Ayurvedic treatments for osteoarthritis. It helps reduce oxidative stress and free radical damage in osteoarthritis patients.
- Vasti: There are different types of Vasti and Janu Vasti treatment with Mahanarayan oil is considered one of the best approaches for osteoarthritis in Ayurveda. In Janu Vasti, warm medicinal oil is gently applied to the knee joint, reducing pain and inflammation.
- Virechana: In osteoarthritis treatment, virechana is practiced to relieve the body of excess Pitta accumulation. It helps purify the blood and remove toxins, mainly focusing on those accumulated in the liver and gallbladder, thus cleansing the gastrointestinal tract.
- Snehana and Brimhana: Help restore the capacity of asthi or dhathu and correct imbalances.
Medications used in Ayurvedic osteoarthritis treatment include;
- Rasanadi Guggulu
- Triphala Guggulu
- Sahacharadi Kwatha
- Sukumar Ghrita
- Godanti
- Kamdudha Rasa
- Swadishta Virechan Churna
Undoubtedly, these Ayurvedic therapies can provide significant relief from pain while walking, as well as stiffness and swelling of knee joints.
Natural Remedies and Therapies for Osteoarthritis
Typically, in cases of arthritis, treatment involves conventional medicine and lifestyle changes. While medications can reduce joint pain, their long-term use may lead to side effects. Effective joint pain relief is achievable by combining medical treatment with some home remedies.
Although home remedies cannot completely replace medical treatments, they can help manage osteoarthritis knee pain without causing adverse effects. Natural remedies and lifestyle changes have helped many patients keep osteoarthritis symptoms at bay.
Here are a few home remedies to consider for easing osteoarthritis discomforts;
- Hot compresses: Helpful for joint stiffness, as heat soothes stiff joints and relaxes muscles.
- Cold compresses: These are effective in reducing joint pain and inflammation.
- Epsom salt baths: Soaking in an Epsom salt bath can increase your magnesium levels, thereby reducing joint pain and inflammation.
- Topical ointments and creams: Provide temporary relief by numbing joint pain.
- Supporting/assistive devices: Tools such as braces, canes, gripping tools, shoe inserts, and knee taping can support affected joints and ease discomfort.
- Herbal remedies: Adding ginger, green tea, turmeric, and curcumin into your diet can complement certain osteoarthritis therapies.
Remember, every physician, whether allopathic or ayurvedic, clearly emphasizes that long-term relief from osteoarthritis is possible only through adopting certain lifestyle changes, as obesity and a faulty lifestyle often contribute to its development.
Knee Osteoarthritis and Treatment Options
As mentioned earlier, there is no cure for arthritis in Western medicine, and you cannot regrow the cartilage in your knee joints. However, Ayurvedic therapies like Panchakarma and Janu Vasti often provide a permanent cure for osteoarthritis in knee.
In modern medicine, your doctor will help you manage your symptoms by prescribing over-the-counter pain relievers. They may also recommend complementary therapies such as daily massage and, as a last option, surgery.
The most common treatments for knee osteoarthritis include;
- Medications: OTC (over-the-counter) pain relievers (oral medications or ointments) can help with pain and inflammation.
- Exercise: Low-impact activities and exercises like swimming, water aerobics, and weight training can relieve joint stiffness and strengthen muscles around them.
- Complementary therapy: Therapies incorporating full body oil massage, tai chi, and dietary supplements can work magically alongside other arthritis treatment options.
- Surgery: While most patients do not need surgery to treat knee arthritis, those who experience severe symptoms that other treatments couldn’t resolve may require it.
While surgery may be your last resort, early Ayurvedic intervention has proven to be significantly beneficial for many patients, especially for those nearing their 60s. Other medications and treatment options can become tiring at that stage.
Benefits of Ayurvedic Remedies for Osteoarthritis
Modern medicine primarily focuses on symptom management. However, Ayurvedic special treatments for strengthening joints, aim to restore dosha imbalances, particularly Vata dosha, which is the main cause of Sandhivata. The treatment starts with Prakriti and Vikriti analysis and prescribing therapies that prevent further deterioration in the joints and cartilage.
What are the Ayurvedic remedies for osteoarthritis? The systemcombines powerful external sweating therapies, herbal medications, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Herbal remedies such as Ashwagandha, Guggulu, and Shallaki, which have anti-inflammatory properties are particularly effective in reducing joint inflammation.
Managing Osteoarthritis Pain Without Surgery
Ayurveda treatments for osteoarthritis also recommend preventive measures and lifestyle tips to avoid the need for surgery. Certain daily routines and complementary massage therapies can provide significant osteoarthritis pain relief. Plus, maintaining a healthy weight is also important to avoid putting too much pressure on your joints.
Try daily herbal oil massage for joint pain relief and to reduce stiffness. You should also follow a Vata-pacifying diet by including whole grains, ghee, cooked vegetables, ginger, and turmeric. Strictly avoid red meat and processed foods. Staying hydrated and avoiding carbonated beverages during your treatment for osteoarthritis are also essential.
Lifestyle Changes and Exercise for Osteoarthritis
To manage osteoarthritis effectively, it is important to stay active and exercise regularly. Walking daily for a short distance, practicing Yoga Asanas like Vajrasana, Malasana, and Trikonasana, and the practice of Pranayama or other breathing exercises can help manage knee arthritis pain and stiffness without any surgical intervention.
Regular movement improves the flexibility of the muscles around the joints. Keep in mind that osteoarthritis therapies alone cannot make a significant difference. Maintaining a healthy weight, adding Vata dosha comforting foods into your daily diet, and regular exercises are also important to improving joint health.
Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Osteoarthritis
Ayurveda has an excellent approach to managing Osteoarthritis, or Sandhigata Vata. It aims to prevent disease progression by treating the aggravated Vata dosha. Ayurvedic treatments, such as shodhana and shaman chikitsa, combined with Janu Vasti, Abhyanga, and internal herbal medication, can provide effective, long-term relief from osteoarthritis joint pain.
Compared to modern medicine, Ayurveda ensures holistic wellness and improved joint health by integrating detoxification, herbal remedies, lifestyle modifications, and dietary changes in osteoarthritis treatment. While Panchakarma and Virechana therapies help remove toxins, herbal remedies such as Ashwagandha and Guggulu reduce inflammation and stiffness.
Ayurvedic therapies treat the root cause, balance the body’s doshas, and offer a sustainable approach to managing osteoarthritis knee pain, thus improving joint health and overall joint mobility in patients. However, always consult an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner for a personalized treatment plan that suits your constitution, ensuring a pain-free healthier life.