Discomfort in your back and your joints can greatly hinder everyday life in such a way that it seems much less possible to do everything normally because of that challenge. Whether you are getting out of bed, reaching/leaning down to get something off the floor, can walk only for a few minutes, or sit down at your desk feels like a huge amount of work due to your back and/or your joint pain. Some people experience pain intermittently; for others, pain lasts another week or month and continues to impact their mood, ability to get quality sleep, or ability to move.
People today are looking for a way to manage their discomfort in an organic, sustainable fashion. In this search, they have started to turn to Ayurvedic treatments for use with back problems and joint pain. Ayurveda is a relatively new term in the context of medical treatment. Still, in Kerala, it has been used for ages as a natural health care method and is part of an ancient healing tradition. Many Ayurvedic treatments remain popular because they promote relaxation and support the body.
At Arooda Ayurveda, our patients report a desire to regain movement rather than get rid of pain. Many people wake up feeling stiff and would like to walk freely, work, sleep, and live comfortably.
Key Reasons Why People Choose Ayurveda for Back and Joint Pain Relief
People often seek Ayurveda for their backs & joints because they do not want to rely on short-term pain relief just to get along in life. But one of the most interesting ways to think about why someone has stiffness/dryness/soreness/tiredness in their body is to look at the cause of that pain.
Ayurveda takes everything about you into account: your body type, your digestion, how much you sleep, your stress levels, how you react to the weather or changes in it, your eating habits, etc. One of the most important aspects of Ayurvedic medicine for joint pain and mobility support is how Vata dosha is tied to movement, moisture (of which lubrication is critical), and the nervous system. When you have an excess of Vata in your body, the common causes of the associated need for greater amounts of mobility are that you have had too much excess Vata in the body.
When Vata is unbalanced, the body can feel tight (not able to bend easily) and coarse (dry). You may feel your body stiffen, get cold/crunching/cracking when you are in motion. Because of this, your Kerala Ayurvedic treatments (which have become popular in the West) usually use heated oils, gentle massages, hot herbal compresses, and heat treatments to create warmth/lubrication/comfort throughout your entire body.
Common reasons for back pain and joint discomfort
Usually, pain occurs gradually rather than from a single significant accident or issue. Often, multiple poor lifestyle habits add up, leading the body to complain through pain.
Some common causes of back or joint pain include:
- Long periods of sitting without movement.
- Poor posture while working.
- Heavy lifting or repetitive physical exertion.
- Age-related deterioration and stiffness.
- Not enough stretching or exercising regularly.
- Stress and tension are being held in the muscles.
- Weak support around the back and joints.
Additionally, different people will experience different kinds of pain. Some may experience a dull heaviness, while others will feel sharp pulling pain. Some people may wake up feeling stiff, while others may be feeling even worse by the end of the day. That’s why personalized care can be so important.
Kerala Ayurvedic therapies that support mobility
Ayurveda is known for many forms of therapeutic ayurvedic medicine in Kerala. All of the above therapies are not generic (that is, a trained practitioner chooses them; not all conditions, ages, or reactions to the specific therapy may be the same).
Abhyanga
An abhyanga is a full-body massage using heated, medicated oils. The majority of people are familiar with and appreciate this method, as it doesn’t just relieve a painful area but actually allows the body to be free of pain.
Clients experiencing stiffness and dryness (also referred to as «muscle tone loss») will find an abhyanga very relaxing and helpful in loosening the body. It would also appear to help increase circulation and improve relaxation.
Abhyangam Ayurvedic Massage in Hyderabad
Kati Basti
Kati Basti is a widely used treatment for relieving lower back discomfort. The treatment is performed by applying medicated, warmed oil to the lower back, and a dough ring made from herbs is used to create a circular area for applying the oil.
Whichever practitioner you visit may agree that this therapy can benefit anyone with stiffness in their lower back (or discomfort from prolonged sitting) and/or a long-standing history of discomfort in the lower part of their spine.
In addition to relieving tightness/stiffness in your lower back, the heat from this therapy has been used to help relieve tension associated with it.
Greeva Basti
If you are one of those people suffering from chronic neck pain and stress in the shoulders, you could benefit from Greeva Basti. Greeva Basti is similar in concept to Kati Basti but is performed on the neck instead.
Greeva Basti can be especially beneficial for office workers, drivers, and anyone who spends long hours at a computer. We accumulate a lot of stress and tension in the neck, which can lead to problems.
Janu Basti
Janu Basti can be used for knee pain and knee stiffness. It is used to hold warm, herbal oil in a specific area near your knee joint for concentrated treatment. This form of relief is typically recommended when walking, going up stairs, or standing for long periods becomes painful.
Elakizhi
In Kerala, Elakizhi is a warm, herbal, bundled therapeutic therapy that uses warm, herbal bundles of leaves and herbs. These bundles are gently pressed against and massaged into the body and the needed area. This therapy is often used when the body feels tight, achy, heavy, or “stuck” due to internal tension. The warmth from the herbal bundles of leaves and herbs is generally very soothing and relaxing. It relieves muscle tension or movement-related restrictions.
Njavarakizhi
Njavarakizhi is a very popular form of therapy in Kerala. It involves the use of therapeutic rice, prepared in an herbal decoction and/or milk, and made into a warm bolus. The therapy provides nourishment and overall support to the body after it has lost strength or energy, or has become sore or weak due to a long or chronic condition.
Pizhichil
Pizhichil is a form of therapy that uses gentle, soothing massage and pours medicated oils systemically over the body. Gentle relaxation is one reason for having a Pizhichil treatment; it may also provide increased physical comfort.
Pizhichil can benefit many people by reducing tension and easing movement; it can help reduce stiffness and increase mobility. It is also a very calming treatment; stress can significantly aggravate physical discomfort, so achieving a good state of mind through this type of bodywork can positively affect your body.
Lifestyle habits that can make a difference
Daily habits that support healing will enhance any type of care. This is something that many people overlook.
Some of these small, simple changes can be:
- Eating foods cooked warm, fresh & hot
- Avoiding foods consumed cold, stale, or rancid
- Drinking adequate amounts of warm water
- Gently moving your body each day
- Taking breaks to stand up & move (do this frequently)
- Sleeping on a schedule
- Keeping your body warm, particularly during colder weather
While each of these activities appears to be inconsequential, they will have more value in creating a positive effect on your health than will the treatments you receive once.
Conclusion
If you have ongoing stiffness in your back or joints, Ayurveda offers a better way to heal the body and reduce pain. Specifically, the Ayurvedic treatments in Kerala blend old-fashioned techniques and modern practices using a variety of gentle warm herbal oils and manual manipulations to relax joints and muscles and improve mobility.
When you come to the Arooda Ayurveda Clinic, we are not only treating the pain. We want to help you become more active and connected to your body by improving mobility and providing support. Some visitors report lower back pain, some report stiffness in their knees, and some report feeling heavy and stiff all the time. All of these experiences are valid and need to be addressed during your time here.
When attempting to heal, healing does not happen overnight. With the right kinds of care, many people find that they begin to recover from their ailments and experience movement becoming easier for them once again.