Panchakarma to Get Relief from Arthritis Pain

Sandhivata, joint pain, and osteoarthritis are some words you will hear frequently when you attain old age. What is the primary cause of these diseases? Ayurveda believes in maintaining the balance of the three Dosha, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Any imbalance in these Doshas can result in the building up of the toxicity levels and accumulation of waste matter, Ama inside our bodies. Detoxification is the best way to get relief under such circumstances. We shall discuss one such detoxification programme, Panchakarma.

What is Panchakarma?

The very name suggests that it comprises of 5 actions. Ayurveda employs Panchakarma to cleanse the body of all the toxic material. Our body has the natural ability to get rid of the Doshas. But, due to our unhealthy lifestyles, lack of exercises, dietary indiscretions, etc, you experience the imbalance of the Doshas thereby leading to conditions like degenerative arthritis, Osteophytosis, and other joint diseases. Panchakarma sets out to rejuvenate the body by eliminating the imbalance between the Doshas. It is a five-fold therapy that differs from individual to individual. Remember, Ayurveda is a highly individualistic treatment procedure.

Panchakarma – The process:

Just like many other Ayurvedic therapies, Panchakarma works on two basic principles. - Oleation: Process involves using oily massages for lubrication of joints and removal of toxins from the cells. - Fomentation: This therapy involves elimination of toxins by the generation of sweat. In fact, fomentation therapies follow the Oleation processes.

Some of the applications of Oleation and fomentation therapies are Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Pizhichil, and Potali massage.

Panchakarma therapy:

Vaman:

Normally recommended for Kapha dominated conditions, Vaman therapy is medicine induced emesis. The patient undergoes internal and external Oleation and fomentation for some days. Emetic medicine is then administered to allow the person to eliminate the built up toxins through vomiting.

Virechan:

Instead of inducing vomiting, the therapists take the purgation route. The patient is given laxatives for easy evacuation of the bowels thereby helping in cleansing the body of the toxic material. This is best for Pitta dominated ailments.

Basti:

This is a therapy involving medicated enema. Renowned for treating Vata dominated conditions like constipation, etc Basti involves administering of herbal decoctions, milk, ghee, or oil through the rectum. This cleans the colon and has tremendous benefits.

Nasya:

This therapy uses nasal drops after the patient is administered massage and fomentation. The nasal drops help in cleansing the toxins from the head and shoulder regions. You get relief from migraine, sleep disorders, and respiratory diseases like sinusitis.

Raktamoshan:

This treatment envisages the purification of blood to primarily treat skin problems like psoriasis, eczema, etc.

Inference:

Panchakarma is an individualistic treatment. It is not necessary to administer all the therapies at the same time. It is very effective in providing relief from joint stiffness and arthritis as well. It resolves the imbalances in the Doshas thereby ensuring elimination of toxins and giving relief from joint pain.