According to Ayurvedic theory, there is more to the health issues associated with ankylosing spondylitis than modern or contemporary approaches to this health issue. Based on Ayurvedic medical practices, ankylosing spondylitis is associated with the lack of flexibility in the joints of one’s lower back region, accompanied by overall weakness in the body. An Ayurvedic practitioner sheds light on the importance of maintaining balance in the joints of the lower back to cure this health issue. While modern approaches to ankylosing spondylitis focus on controlling the inflammation associated with this health issue, an Ayurvedic practitioner provides insights on how to deal with ankylosing spondylitis in an effective manner. Ayurvedic treatment of ankylosing spondylitis will help you regain flexibility in your joints and attain balance in your mental as well as your physical self.
This blog focuses on how Ayurvedic Treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis is described by using time-tested treatments and individualised treatment.
Understanding Ayurvedic Treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis
“Ankylosing Spondylitis” has been referred to by “Amavata,” which is made up of two words, namely “Ama,” meaning “undigested metabolic toxic substances,” and “Vata,” which pertains to the dosha related to the function of the movement of nerves and impulses. “Ama,” which is weakened by “Vata,” presents itself in the joints, which are focused around the pelvic and spinal areas, leading to stiffness and pain. There also exists an Ayurveda classic reference to the presence of another illness referred to by “Dandaka,” which is linked to the stiffness of joints of the neck, head, and backbone due to an imbalanced “Vata” dosha. The symptoms of this illness are almost similar to those of “Ankylosing Spondylitis”, which, in essence, makes the spinal cord less flexible before it turns completely rigid due to the elapse of time.
Key Symptoms and Early Warning Signs
The importance of Ayurveda’s early diagnosis to ensure effective treatment is evident. A few common signs and symptoms of ankylosing Spondylitis include:
- Low back pain, chronic, which gets better with exercise
- Stiffness in the mornings in the spine and hips
- The pain emanating from the shoulder, sacroiliac or heel joints
- Affluent loss or fatigue
- Trouble breathing deeply, and the chest wall gets stiffer
If not treated, the inflammation could be transferred into the eye, heart, or even the lungs, as well as other organs. This highlights the importance of a thorough treatment, not just the symptoms.
Ayurvedic Management of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ayurvedic treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis is performed in a step-by-step manner. First, detoxification, dosha balance of Vata, improvement of digestion, and strengthening the musculature and joints are achieved.
Detoxification via Panchakarma
First, purge the stored toxins that cause inflammation. Panchakarma, the classical Ayurvedic detoxification treatment, is a sequence of cleansing therapies that cleanse from within. According to the level of the disease, treatment may be:
- Abhyanga: This is an oil massage of the body done with herbal oils to stimulate blood circulation and soften the stiffness
- Swedana – steam or heat therapy, like Podi Kizhi or Ela Kizhi, is aimed at relieving pain and inducing relaxation of tightness and muscle spasm.
- Virechana: Mild purging to cleanse the digestive tract and bring Pitta and Vata to normal.
- Basti-Medicated Enema: The most ideal treatment for Vata disease, Vasti nourishes tissue and lubricates joints. Expert varieties like Ksheera Vasti or Yapana Vasti are thus applied by first ascertaining the constitution of the individual.
Regular sessions of these therapies, provided under professional supervision, may accomplish a significant reduction in pain, increase flexibility, and halt the further progress of the disease.
Internal Herbal Medication
Ayurvedic experts recommend medicines which improve digestion, lessen inflammation, and increase bone growth. Guggulu, Nirgundi, Ashwagandha and Shallaki are plant-based drugs that improve compliance and pain management as well as possess anti-inflammatory properties without the adversities of the usual anti-inflammatory medications.
To combat this cycle, Ayurvedic treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis includes methods of relaxation and calm for teachers. Meditation, breathing techniques that are gentle, such as Anulom Vilom and mindfulness-based techniques for relaxation help to relax the autonomic nervous system and reduce the triggers of inflammation.
When your mind is relaxed, it is able to recover, sleep and regulate hormones quickly. Internal treatments can help in the regeneration of joint tissues as well as revive the digestive energy (Agni) to lower the Ama levels in the body.
Dietary Discipline for Healing
According to Ayurveda, food can be used as medicine. A specific diet can support the Ayurvedic treatment of ankylosing spondylitis by minimizing the accumulation of wastes and restoring dosha balance.
Food to include:
- Warm, lazy and digestible foods
- Red rice, barley and horse Gram
- Vegetables like bitter gourd, drumstick, and pointed gourd are used.
- Garlic and ginger are added to buttermilk for digestion.
Food to avoid:
- Curd, jaggery and milk mixture
- Deep-frying and heavy foods
- Fish and incompatible food combinations
Setting times for meals, steady water consumption, and exclusion of processed foods will keep the digestive balance healthy, which is directly related to joint health.
Lifestyle Modifications for Long-Term Relief
Alongside medicine Lifestyle changes are equally crucial. According to Ayurveda, practitioners can:
- Gentle Yoga exercises – Bhujangasana, Pavanamuktasana, and Paschimottanasana. Breathing exercises for Pranayama will also be beneficial in dealing with an anxious mind.
- They can release oxygen in the body more easily. Nadi Shodhana or Bhramari can be quite beneficial in this regard
- Apply warm therapy to the affected area to relax your muscles.
- Sleeping in one position only, avoiding high and soft pillows
- Daytime sleep. This disturbs Kapha and results in a low metabolism.
Such activities, if done on a regular basis, will result in the successful treatment of ankylosing spondylitis patients under the Ayurvedic system of treatment.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis at Arooda Ayurveda
Arooda Ayurveda Clinic combines the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda with the most advanced diagnostic tools to provide individualised and effective treatment for the condition of Ankylosing Spondylitis. The process of healing begins by evaluating the patient’s condition, which may include an assessment of the constitution, a classification of the disease, as well as a review of lifestyle. The treatment can include treatments such as Abhyanga and Pinda Sweda. Dhanyamla Dhara, Vasti, and Virechana are planned and arranged for cleansing the body and revitalising and rehydrating the joints and spine. Arooda’s Ayurvedic practitioners offer customised yoga and diet plans that can be combined to aid in the therapeutic process and prevent repeat relapses.
Patients can expect improvements in posture and stiffness and increased energy during regular treatments, since the main goal in the practice is restoring joint function to allow for longer-term improvement, not only relieving the pain.