What was once a problem people had to only live through upon reaching old age has now become increasingly common with people of all ages. Joint disorders and pains can be a horrible nightmare to deal with. Especially during chilly winters, cold monsoons, or due to old age, these pains can keep you from performing even the most mundane activities.
Joints are the connective tissues found between our bones and are extremely pivotal to movement and support in the human body. Luckily, Ayurvedic medicine for joint pain offers a non-invasive remedy to alleviate and counter these pains. From an Ayurvedic perspective, there are two major reasons that can cause joint pains: Vata and Ama related. The first is triggered by aggravating one’s air-dominant dosha, leading to weakened circulation, metabolism and affects the ability to digest food. This causes undernourishment, leading to the weakening of bone tissue and discomfort due to poor lubrication.
Ama-related joint pain is caused due to toxin build-up in the joints, leading to heavy and stiff joints. Cold weather can intensify these symptoms and cause inflammation in the joints, leaving them swollen and painful.
Table of Contents
Ayurvedic Remedies For Joint Pain:
Ayurvedic medicines for joint pain
mainly include dietary changes, exercise, and relaxation practices.
Diet:
Vata-Related joint problems can cause decreased joint lubrication due to the Shleshaka Kapha drying up. A diet filled with calcium, sweet and sour foods can pacify the Vata dosha. Foods like cooked grains like rye and quinoa, fruits and vegetables rich in iron, healing herbs, and few root vegetables help pacify this dosha. One must avoid caffeine and highly acidic diets that deplete the calcium in your body. For Ama-related doshas, foods like nourishing soups, cooked grains with vegetables, Ama-pachana water, cooked fruits like apples and figs, and so on can help reduce the toxin build-up in the body.
Herbs:
Ayurvedic herbs are rich in anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat joint pain without side effects. Ginger, Nirgundi, eucalyptus, and other herbs are specifically known for their anti-inflammatory properties and can ease joint pain.
Ginger’s antiseptic properties help to relieve pain and swelling. Furthermore, through the blood circulation, it warms and heals the infected areas. Ginger can be consumed in a number of different forms. To soothe your skin, add ginger oil or paste to the affected areas. As an alternative, a fast and simple remedy is to drink hot ginger tea.
Another common herbal treatment is eucalyptus. Tannis, a compound found in eucalyptus leaves, helps relieve swelling and pain associated with arthritis. It also has a scent that helps to relax the brain.
Nirgundi has anticonvulsant and antioxidant properties, making it useful for relieving joint pain. These characteristics are only found in the seeds and stem. It has a bitter and potent flavor that makes it useful. It can be consumed or used as an oil, a paste, or a leaf decoction.
Meditation
Meditation serves as a beneficial practice to soothe both the mind and body. Our body responds to stress and fear with a fight or flight response, and our physical functions are affected. Increased heart rate, shallow breaths, and increased hormone and blood pressure lead to weakened immune systems. This can also worsen joint pain. Meditation alone cannot treat joint pain but aids the process naturally by regulating a person’s emotional and physical state.
Yoga
Yoga and meditation complement each other. Yoga for osteoarthritis, in particular, helps to alleviate discomfort and pain caused by limited movement. It relaxes the muscles and recirculates the synovial fluid around the joints. As a result, daily yoga can lubricate and cushion joints, reducing discomfort. In the case of those with weak or hypermobile joints, it also helps to stabilize tensions and strengthens muscles.
Try looking out for yoga poses that are specifically designed to work on the areas of your joint pain. Customize your routine to the muscles and tissues that need strengthening. However, you should always ensure to start slow and light and not overwork your body. Doing challenging poses can aggravate your pain and cause further damage. So keep it breezy and increase the intensity when you feel like your body can handle it.
Ayurvedic medicines for joint pain
are safe and effective means of healing joint pain without intrusive medicine. By adopting a healthy diet, adding herbs and calcium supplements, and improving your lifestyle, you can easily better your pain. Consult your practitioner before using any supplements and see which plans work best for your pain.