Arthritis Treatment – Part Two: The Two Main Types Of Arthritis From An Ayurvedic Point of View
The Ayurvedic Viewpoint on Arthritis
Within the ancient Sanskrit Ayurvedic texts, two basic types of arthritis are described that correspond and match Rheumatoid arthritis (Ama Vat) and Osteoarthritis (Sandhigata Vata).
As when treating or considering any disease from an Ayurvedic perspective, it is vital to take into consideration and remember, that it is the whole person being treated, as opposed to just the illness, disease or symptom. Each and every person that is treated is considered as a unique case. This means that there are many unique variables that are reviewed and taken into account to ensure that the prescribed treatment program is specifically tailored for each patient as an individual.
That being said, let’s further investigate the diseases of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis from an Ayurvedic, perspective and point of view. In the sphere of Ayurvedic science, the condition known as osteoarthritis is categorized as disease of malnutrition, one that generally tends to affect the vulnerable joints of the body. These joints could have become vulnerable due to a variety of reasons, anything from previous infections, injuries or congenital reasons.
However, as with all the afflictions treated through Ayurveda, to find the root cause of osteoarthritis, we must first examine the bodies process of digestion, or Agni (metabolism).
When the body’s Agni (referred to as digestive fire in Ayurveda) isn’t functioning properly, our body produces toxins and wastes, known as Ama, as opposed to useful nutrients to nourish the tissues. These toxins (or Ama) accumulate to the gut while Vata is simultaneously accumulating in the colon.
Some of the causes of Vata aggravation can include; high stress and anxiety causing situations of jobs, a lack of regular decent sleep, a traumatic event that affects us both mentally and physically and periods of excessive movement and stimulation.
Ama, along with the aggravated Vata, travels from the gut into the circulatory channels of the body, finding vulnerable or weak places, In this case, the joints, to settle in. The qualities of Vata, and of this particular type of Ama, have a particular drying or catabolic effect which causes the deterioration of the joints soft tissues and eventually the accompanying bones.
At the same time, Ama can, and does, blocks the channels, interrupting the supply of nutrients and other essentials to the joint, causing further malnutrition.
The subsequent irritation and deterioration in the joint results in swelling, inflammation, inflammation and serious pain.
Within the science of Ayurveda, rheumatoid arthritis is viewed as a disease of immune malfunction and toxic accumulation. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, there is an exceeding level of accumulated Ama, and in many circumstances, a considerable quantity of excessive heat (or Pitta).
The Ama, in conjunction with the aggravated Pitta and Vata, move into the body’s channels and begin to have an effect on the Ojas; which are the vital essence of the tissues and the body-mind’s strength and immunity.
This causes the Ojas to start depleting and their qualities are changed, at the same time as Ama blocks the channels and prevents the production of more Ojas, further depleting it.
This is the basis of an autoimmune disease. Ojas begin to function erroneously and, along with Am, they create inflammatory responses, along with the swelling and pain that we recognize as rheumatoid arthritis.
Some of the causes of aggravated Pitta include; high levels of stress, Vigorous levels of exercise that’s beyond your capacity. Physical trauma (such as a severe car accident), and Psychological trauma (such as excessive stress or intense grief)
The Ayurvedic Treatment for Arthritis
This is where it becomes apparent that the Ayurvedic treatment for Arthritis and the Western Medicinal protocol differ vastly from one another. If the condition is particularly severe or even chronic, Ayurvedic treatments for arthritis can greatly reduce the debilitating effects or help to stop them from worsening. If the disease is medium level chronic, Ayurveda can help to reverse the disease process, leading to a state of remission. In many cases, Ayurveda can actually offer a cure to the disease.
Due to the fact that within the nature of Ayurvedic science, the process of the disease is so incredibly well understood, there are Ayurvedic arthritis treatments which can be applied that cause a change at the root level cause of the disease.
In both cases of the disease, the strengthening of Agni and the removing of Ama is the immediate concern. This is achieved by following a specifically devised diet, that allows for the Agni to become stronger and the body to begin a process of eliminating excess toxins. In fact, vast improvements can be made in terms of pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness just by being diligent and following the correct diet.
