Rheumatoid Arthritis – Ayurveda Treatment at Dheemahi

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s own immunity is attacking the joints and other tissues all over the body. RA is a multisystem inflammatory disease characterized by morning stiffness and affecting joints of hands and legs symmetrically i.e. joints of both sides will be affected together.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition with a usual onset as joint pain but can affect entire systems of the body in its chronic stages. Rheumatoid arthritis shows symptoms of Amavata in the initial stages and later it progresses into Vata shonitam with more widespread consequences.

 

All autoimmune conditions are caused by a combination of factors when coming together in a susceptible person. It is more common in females than males.

According to Ayurveda Rheumatoid Arthritis begins as a lifestyle disease in sedentary people who are in the clutches of stress, Poor metabolism leading to the presence of a metabolic waste called Ama in the body triggers confusion in the bodies response system causing Rheumatoid Arthritis. If left untreated or wrongly treated using painkillers and immunity suppressing medicines RA will advance into its more chronic stages.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Ayurveda Treatment

Rheumatoid Arthritis is treated depending on the severity of the condition. The treatment will go in stages.

Initially treated under the treatment principles of Amavata which starts by improving the digestive fire (Jatharagni) of the patient. This stage is called Dipana in Ayurveda. At this stage, any contact with oil externally or for intake will result in aggravation of the condition.
Externally for joint pains treatments like Dhanyamla Dhara, lepanam, Udwaratanam, Kizhis of dry nature are used. This stage essentially requires dry heat.

The treatment intensity will have to be carefully decided during daily consultation considering the response of the patient and Bala (Strength) of the patient.When the swellings, morning stiffness and severe pain is relieved then we get to treating the more deeply seated problems of Rheumatoid Arthritis. The disease will be spread to more body elements called dhatus. For correcting such problems cleansing treatments like Panchakarma will be used.

When the body is completely cleansed with multiple Panchakarma therapies like Vamanam, Virechanam, Vasti, Nasyam and Raktamoksham, we start the final stage of healing the damages caused by disease to the tissues. This stage is called Rasayana. Rasayana stage is very important as this will ensure non-relapse of the Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rasayanas are rejuvenating therapies with specially made medicines.

External therapies like Njavara Kizhi and rejuvenating Nature Vasti and Nasya of panchakarma need to be done at Dheemahi premises. Rasayana medications need to be taken for 6 months to 1 year as an aftercare program with regular follow-up.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Cure prospect

The treatment method we use for Rheumatoid Arthritis is improving the immunity of the body. If the condition is of recent onset and without deformities then 28 days in-house treatment program followed by aftercare medication and lifestyle modifications will be enough. The patient has to consider morning stiffness and lethargy to be an early symptomatic marker for possible relapse and during that time appropriate follow up is needed.

If dheemahi Ayurveda program for Rheumatoid arthritis is chosen in an advanced stage or disease persisting for more than 1 year and with high values of Rheumatoid factor (RF factor) the treatment program will be taken as a regime of multiple visits of specific intervals and follow up medication. The first visit has to be 21 days followed by each visit 21 days for 2 times. In between each visit with a minimum gap of 1 month and a maximum gap of 3 months, the patient has to be on medication and a special diet. The patient has to be in follow up for two to three years with Rasayana medications and repeat the program according to the disease severity.