Ayurveda is an ancient form of medicine that started in India. It uses nutrients, exercise, and meditation together to encourage good health. Combining certain nutrients and other supplements with modern medicine may be beneficial if you have arthritis.
These natural treatments may help to ease some of your arthritis symptoms and help prevent progression.
Natural treatments and herbs
You may consider taking supplements and herbs in addition to your doctor-approved arthritis treatment plan. Before using a supplement or herbal product, talk with your doctor about the potential benefits and risks. Check with your doctor if you:
are pregnant or breastfeeding,have a scheduled surgery,have diabetes
Fish oil
The omega-3s in fish oil may improve symptoms of arthritis by blocking substances that cause inflammation and converting them into anti-inflammatory chemicals. Fish oil is also said to reduce pain and joint tenderness.
A 2017 meta-analysis found that marine oil supplements reduced pain and inflammation in people with arthritis. Fish oil had a higher success rate for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil is thought to be more effective because it contains high levels of EPA and DHA, which have anti-inflammatory effects.
Take fish oil capsules with EPA or DHA concentrations of at least 30 percent. Choose a reliable brand that contains no additives or toxins. Supplements are not monitored by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States.
A typical dosage is up to 500 mg per day. You shouldn’t exceed this dose.
You shouldn’t take fish oil if you have:
bipolar disorder,depression,liver disease,high blood pressure.HIV or AIDS,a weakened immune system
an implanted defibrillator
Researchers in a 2017 study found that both calcium and vitamin D supplementation are beneficial for healthy musculoskeletal aging. Taking these two supplements together can reduce your risk of fracture.
Heat treatments:
warm showers or baths,heating pad or hot water bottle applied for up to 20 minutes,disposable heat patches or belts,whirlpool or hot tub,sauna,hot paraffin wax treatment
You shouldn’t use hot tubs or saunas if you have high blood pressure or heart disease.
Cold slows circulation, decreases swelling, and dulls pain by numbing nerve endings. You can wrap ice, a store-bought cold gel pack, or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel and apply for up to 20 minutes. Another option is a full or partial ice bath.
Use cold and heat applications with care. Both can cause skin damage.
Massage
A moderate-pressure massage can help:
improve joint function,relieve both short- and long-term pain and tension,reduce anxiety,improve sleep
Check with your doctor to make sure that massage is safe for you. You shouldn’t get a massage when you’re having a flare-up, when your joints are especially sensitive, or if you have a history of blood clots in the legs.
Winter is here; a difficult season for most elderly, especially those suffering from Arthritis. The tenacity of this common yet painful condition tends to increase during cold, winter days. Arthritis is a way of referring to joint pain or joint disease; which means it is an inflammation of the joints and can affect one or multiple joints. The symptoms of arthritis are most commonly seen in adults above the age of 60-65 years; cold weather only adds to the excessive pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. While there is no permanent cure for the condition, many health experts suggest tweaking their diet in a bid to better manage the condition.
According to Ayurveda expert, Dr. Dhanvantri Tyagi, “Hot water fermentation is the best therapy to relieve Arthritis pain, considering it soothes your joints and help them function better. This is only recommended when the case is not severe.” Ayurveda is said to suggest some herbs that can help relieve joint pain, especially during winter. Dr. Tyagi shares, “while it totally depends on person to person and severity that the herbs are suggested, but there are some herbs that can be used by everybody.”
Here are some herbs suggested by Ayurveda expert, Dr. Tyagi that you can try using at home in order to get some relief from the arthritis related pain
1. Nirgundi
Nirgundi is one of the most common herbs used to bring respite in joints. The plant is easily available and is known to reduce swelling as well as excessive pain. Its potent anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsing and anti-oxidant properties help the joints in many ways. The leaves of the plant Nirgundi are believed to have the most medicinal properties, followed by the stem and the seeds. The plant is bitter in taste and has hot potency, making it useful in this condition. You can use the Nirgundi oil and apply it on joints, make a paste of the leaves and apply or also make a leaf decoction.
2. Ajwain
Ajwain acts as a natural aid to arthritis pain due to the presence of anti-inflammatory components. It also contains anesthetic properties that further help in relieving excessive pain during winter. All you need to do is to add a spoonful of carom seeds or ajwain in a tub of hot water and soak your aching joints in the water and sit for 5-10 minutes; this will help ease swelling and pain. Another way is to crush these seeds and make a paste and apply it on the affected areas in order to alleviate the pain. Alternatively, you can drink ajwain water every day.
3. Dashmool
Dashmool is not one ayurvedic herb but a mix of ten medicinal herbs that are used to cure a variety of ailments. Dashmool literally translates to ‘ten roots’; out of which five roots are of trees and five are of shrubs. These include patala, gambhari, brihati, shalparni and more. Dashmool or Dashmula is effective in inflammatory conditions in the body or Vata Rog. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, analgesic and sedative properties help cure joint pain. It is available in the form of oil and powder.
4. Shallaki
Shallaki herb is known to keep your joints strong and relieve them from any pain. It not only reduces the pain, but also helps in diminishing the swelling and further increases mobility. Popularly known as Boswellia Serrata, Shallaki is also sometimes used by experts as a substitute to modern pain killers. It is available in the form of essential oil and powder.
5. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus oil makes for the most common herbal treatment for arthritis. The eucalyptus plant leaves contain tannins that may be helpful in reducing swelling and the pain arthritis causes. The aroma of eucalyptus oil is said to have calmative effects on the brain, while the oil relieves you from the pain and swelling in the joints.
