Managing osteoarthritis with Ayurveda: effective, evidence-based alternatives to painkillers

OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA) is a common degenerative joint disorder characterised by the deterioration of cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness and reduced joint function.

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It primarily affects the weight-bearing joints of the body, such as the knees, hips, hands and spine.

OA is mostly found in people over the age of 40, and as the incidence of it continues to rise, it stirs up interest in natural treatment modalities.

Ayurvedic medicine offers promising strategies for managing osteoarthritis through natural remedies, lifestyle modifications and personalised therapies.

This column explores the clinical findings related to OA, Ayurvedic perspectives, and integrated treatment protocols.

Signs and symptoms:

Sharp aching pain

Burning sensation in the muscles and tendons.

Joint pain often after movement.

Tenderness of joints upon pressure

Inability to perform daily activities.

Reduced range of motion.

Stiffness upon waking in the mornings.

Crepitus.

Radiological signs may indicate: joint space narrowing, osteophyte formation, subchondral sclerosis, and cysts, confirmed via X-ray imaging.

Patho physiologically, OA involves cartilage degeneration, subchondral bone remodelling, synovial inflammation and periarticular muscle weakness.

These changes contribute to the chronic pain and disability observed in patients.

In Ayurveda, osteoarthritis is also referred to as “Sandhigata Vata”, a condition characterised by vitiation of Vata dosha affecting the joints. Vata, when imbalanced, leads to dryness, cracking, degeneration and pain.