Management of ARTHRITIS
(JOINT PAINT) Through
Yoga and Naturpoathy
Arthritis(Joint Pain)
Movement is life; the main structures which help for the movement are Joints, muscles surrounding the joint, tendons, ligaments etc. Any injury to any of theses parts can lead to pain. Millions of people suffer the painful symptoms of arthritis and related diseases, which include inflammation, swelling, redness, pain and stiffness. Although there are literally hundreds of different kinds of arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are the three most common.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is derived from the Greek words arthron meaning joint and itis meaning inflammation. A term that means joint inflammation and refers to a group of diseases that cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of motion in the joint. The lining of joints swells and may stretch the ligaments so the joints lose their stretch the stability. Arthritis is often used as a more general term to refer to the more than 100 rheumatic diseases. Some types of arthritis are caused from inflammation. Some other types are caused from viruses, bacteria, injury, or sodium urate crystals.
Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis usually occurs after the age of 50 years. Osteoarthritis occurs as the protective, cushiony cartilage covering the bones softens and wears away, resulting in bones rubbing together. This friction cause joint pain and swelling, and worsens as the cartilage breaks down further. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the weight bearing joints like knee, hips, spine and hands, and worsens with age.
Structure and function of knee joint:
The knee is the largest wight bearing joint in the body. The knee is made up of the lower end of the thigh bone(femur), which moves on the upper end of the shin bone(tibia), and the knee cap(patella), which slides in a groove on the end of the femur. Large ligaments attach to the femur and tibia provide stability. The long thigh muscles give the knee strengths for movement. The joint surfaces are covered with articular cartilage, a smooth tissue that spreads and transmits load, smooth surface upon which joint motion occurs easily. The remaining surfaces of the knee are covered by a thin, somooth tissue called the synovial membrane. In a healthy knee, this membrane releases a special fluid that lubricates the knee and avoids the friction.
Damage to any of theses structures either due to over use, old injury to the joint or inflammation leads to the wear and tear mechanism causing progressive cartilage loss, subchondral thickening, marginal, osteophyte formation leading to degeneration.
Causes of Osteoarthritis Risk Factors
. Lifestyle: Fast Life leads to Early Aging . Obesity
. Obesity . Heredity
. Family Tendency . Age: 75% of persons over age 70 have OA
. Injured joints due to trauma . Lack of Exercise
. Trauma
. Menopause
Clinical Features
OA: Symptoms and Signs
. Pain is related to use . Joint Instability
. Pain gets worse during the day . Bony enlargement
. Minimal morning stiffness(<20 min) and after inactivity gelling) . Restricted movement
. Range of motion decreases . Range of motion decreases
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the common arthritis to affect adults. It is estimated to affect 0.25-0.5% of the adult population. It is a chronic disease like diabetes and hypertension. RA is an important cause for disability, loss of function and loss of job in adults. Apart from the affected person, the care giver (usually the spouse) also suffers equally though not in the same way. It can lead to depression interpersonal conflict, martial disharmony. So it is considered as a social disease. If not treated adequately from the early period, it can lead to crippling deformities, difficulties in job, self care and some patients may become bed ridden.
Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis:
The exact cause of RA remains unknown. It is not due to a single cause. Combinations of genetic, environmental factors, psychological stress trigger and abnormal immune response.
Clinical Features:
RA: Symptoms and Signs
. Plain and limited function of joints . Tenderness of the inflammated joint
. Morning stiffness lasting at least 1 hour . Symmetric arthritis
. Swelling, redness and warmth . Rheumatoid nodules
YOGA
Yoga is an ancient Indian science and is one among the six great Indian philosophies. In the spiritual dimension yoga is a path towards attainment of super conscious states. According to Sage Vasistha; Yoga can be defined as a science of calming down the mind. According to Maharshi Patanjali Yoga is defined as the process of sublimation of all mental modifications in the mind through a systematic process of yamas (moral doctrines), niyamas (disciplines), asanas (postures), pranayama (regulated nostril breathing/ breath control), pratyahara (intospection in drawing mind away from preceptible external sensory stimuli), dharana (concentration), dhyana(meditation) and finally to attain a state of Samadhi(absorption).
Naturopathy
Naturopathy is a system of man building in harmony with the constructive principles of Nature on physical, mental, moral and spiritual planes of living. It has great health pro motive, disease preventive and curative as well as restorative potential. Naturopathy is a system of intervention that uses naturally available resources of healing. Naturopathy is not just a conglomeration of treatments but is a way of life designated to promote health and cure disease. Therefore, this is one form of active lifestyle intervention.
Aims of the Therapy
. To reduce pain . To improve stability
. To reduce inflammation . To improve flexibility
. To reduce stiffness . To maintain/reduce body weight
. To improve the muscle strength . To improve physical and psychological well being
Yoga and Naturopathy Management:
The Management of Arthritis is done at all the five levels of the Pancha Kosha.
Annamaya Kosha : Joint lossening exercies like Shakti Vikasaka, Sukshma vikasaka, Asanas, Relaxation Techniques (IRT, QRT, DRT), Kriyas like Jalaneti, Sutraneti.
Pranamaya Kosha : Nadishodhana pranayama, Suryabhedana Pranayama. Pranic Energisation Technique (PET).
Manomaya Kosha : Om meditation, Nadanusandhana, devotional sessions.
Vignanamaya Kosha: Notional Correction and Yogic Counseling.
Anandamaya Kosha: To correct the pattern of tension ridden working style to a new style of working with joy (Karma Yoga).
Naturopathy treatments like long Fasting and Intermittent fasting with Carrot Juice, Lemon honey juice, Raw potato juice etc. Regular simple vegearian diet, especially naturopathy diet consisting of raw low calorie high fibre, Ice massage to joints during inflammation (swelling) and Hot bag application when there is no inflammation, Neutral or Cold immersion bath, Massage to all joints with manipulation followed by infra red application to all joints, Steam bath, local steam, followed by cold pack, hot and cold compresses, hot and cold affusions, graduated immersion bath with Epsom salt etc., Acupunture and Acupressure, Mustard pack, Mud pack and resorting to natural way of living can help in reducing the Inflammation and disease.
Daily Schedule for Arthritis:
5:00 am to 6:00 am - Drink two glasses of water (Usha Panam), daily activities, prescribed Asanas, Pranayama, Meditation and exercises.
7:00 am - Treatments, Enema, Mud pack to abdomen, Oil application to joints and sun bath, warm water effusion.
8:00 am - Breakfast : Seasonal fruits Apple, Pears, Banana, Guava, Milk+Dry grapes + Figs/sprouted green gram, wheat, Alfalfa, Carrot / Spinach Soup / Ragi porridge.
11:00 am to 12:00 noon - Lunch: Rice / Ragi ball / Whole wheat / Bajra / Ragi Roti, boiled vegetabel with less oil and spices, Green gram dal / Green leafy soup / Amla + coriander chutney.
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm - Seasonal fruits as in the morning / Carrot juice / Herbal tea.
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm - Whole wheat / Ragi / Bajra roti, boiled vegetael with less oil and spices, salad / wheat dalia + green vegetables / green vegetables soup.
Avoid - Potato, White Floor (Maida), Hydrogenated Oils, Cold Drinks, Ice Cream, Sugar, Sweets, Milk, Egg, Non Veg.etc.
Reduce - Salt, Fried Foods, Fats, Pulses, Carbohydrates.
Tips:
- Avoid cold as it may cause spasm and increase the pain.
- Avoid hot applications during swelling.
- Reduce the intake of gas producing foods like sweet potato, yam, legumes.
- Do hot water exercises as soon as get in the morning to relive the stiffness.
