Osteoarthritis

OA is also called degenerative joint disease, it is a type of arthritis that occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time leading to stiffness and pain, especially during movement. Age about 50 years and Women are more likely to develop this chronic, progressive disease.

OA can occur in any joint. However, the most commonly affected areas of the body include the hand, fingers, knees, hip,spine (neck or lower back)

The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• pain
• tenderness (discomfort when pressing on the area with your fingers)
• stiffness
• inflammation

According to Ayurveda there are three elements present in our body : vata, pitta and kapha which should be in balance. In Ayurveda, OA is a disease that occurs due to vata dosha. Vata-alleviating medicines for Osteoarthritis are suggested for lubrication and strengthening of joints. It not only prevents further deterioration in the joints but also rejuvenates damaged cartilages.

1. Older age
2. Obesity - Carrying extra body weight.
3. Joint injuries.
4. Certain metabolic diseases - diabetes and a condition in which the body has too much iron (hemochromatosis).
5. Bone deformities - Some people are born with malformed joints or defective cartilage.
6. Genetics - Some people inherit a tendency to develop osteoarthritis.

Treatment protocol aims at : 

1. Relief from pain and swelling in joints and make the patient able for day to day activities.
2. Prevent progression of disease .
3. Rejuvenate the whole body and improve overall health of the body.

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding the causative factors. If the problem persists then consider the following treatment protocol.

•  Pain and inflammation and stiffness of joints - When the cartilage  that surrounding  joint wears away, the bones rub up against each other. This results in joint inflammation, swelling, pain, and stiffness. Kanchanara guggulu, Trayodashang guggul will help to treat the inflammation in the joint and Lakshadi guggulu will reduce pain, inflammation and help in the regeneration of bone tissue.
• Prevent progression and rejuvenate the bone tissue - Gokshura and Ashwagandha rejuvenate the bone tissue and It works great in relaxing stiff muscles and relieving muscular pain. Vidarikanda, Shatavari will nourish bone tissue. Rasna and Bala will prevent the progression by balancing the vitiated vata which is the root cause of OA

Other therapies - Abhyanga (oil massage), Sekam ( warm medicated oil being poured continuously,  Vasti (enema) to reduce inflammation and cleanse the system , Lepa ( A type of therapy wherein paste of drug is applied to the affected part).

Kanchanara guggulu, Trayodashang guggul ,Lakshadi guggulu, Vidarikanda, Shatavari, Rasna, Bala, Gokshura , Ashwagandha.