Chronic joint inflammation, fevers, fatigue and loss of mobility are among the daily struggles for people with rheumatoid arthritis, a type of arthritis most common in women between the ages of 40 and 60, reports MayoClinic.com. Some find it difficult to fasten buttons on their shirts, while others experience such severe morning stiffness they barely make it out of bed. Whatever the extent of your condition, you may find Ayurvedic medicine a suitable treatment option. Talk to your doctor or herbalist before pursuing treatment.
Ayurvedic Medicine
A holistic medicine approach, Ayurveda is perhaps one of the oldest healing sciences. Practitioners believe that stress and external factors can adversely affect the body, creating energy imbalances and subsequent disease. Dietary and lifestyle modifications, herbal medicines, breathing exercises and yoga are all components of Ayurvedic medicine, which may be prescribed simultaneously to bring the doshas -- your individual energy types -- back to a healthy balance.
Yoga
Exercise decreases fatigue and improves joint flexibility by strengthening the muscles surrounding the joints. For rheumatoid arthritis relief, exercise is recommended by Ayurvedic and Western practitioners alike. Yoga combines calming techniques and gentle stretches and movements for both mental and physical health. Those who practice yoga regularly exhibit fewer symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, including less joint swelling and tenderness, as evidenced in a 2008 study performed by Johns Hopkins University researchers in Baltimore. Participants performed yoga for eight weeks, attending one-hour sessions twice weekly and practicing at home.
Diet
Ayurvedic practitioners believe your diet affects your body's balance -- whether for good or bad. Ayurvedic dietary therapies include eating natural foods of all flavors rather than food groups, including foods that are sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent. Eating the right combination of foods, drinking herbal teas and undergoing a cleansing ritual known as panchakarma is purported to both purify your body and decrease your cholesterol levels.
Side Effects and Cautions
Ayurvedic therapies are generally safe, although there is a possibility of drug interactions with the use of herbs. Additionally, some herbs and supplements contain unsafe ingredients, such as lead and metals. High-quality herbs and supplements are less likely to contain these contaminants, but because herbs are not strictly monitored by the Food and Drug Administration, there is no real safety guarantee. Talk to a health care professional about the benefits and risks of Ayurvedic medicine for rheumatoid arthritis.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Definition; November 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Ayurveda; What is Ayurveda?; September 2009
- kThe Ayurvedic Institute; Panchakarma; For Cleansing, Balancing, Healing and Rejuvination
- Arthritis Foundation; Research Update; Yoga Helpful for Rheumatoid Arthritis; S. Haaz, et al.; October 2008
