Arthritis(Joint Pain)  is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where two different bones meet. A joint functions to move the body parts connected by its bones. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints.

Arthritis is frequently accompanied by joint pain. Joint pain is referred to as arthralgia. When four or more joints are involved, the arthritis is referred to as polyarthritis. When two or three joints are involved, it is referred to as oligoarthritis. When only a single joint is involved, it is referred to as monoarthritis

Causes :-

However there are many views of joint pain problem around the world but the real cause of it is still known , however as per medical point of view it is caused by several reasons such as:

  • Injuries (leading to osteoarthritis)
  • Metabolic abnormalities (such as gout and pseudogout)
  • The direct and indirect effect of infections (bacterial and viral)
  • A misdirected immune system with auto immunity

Common joint pain are as follows:-

  • Ankle pain
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Knee Pain

Symptoms of Joint pains :-

Symptoms and signs associated with joint pain includes:

  • joint redness,
  • joint swelling,
  • joint tenderness,
  • joint warmth,
  • limping,
  • locking of the joint,
  • loss of range of motion of the joint,
  • stiffness,
  • weakness.

Ayurvedic View :-

Joint pain or arthritis is a symptom not a disease. It can occur in various diseases. Though this ailment indefinitely involves an imbalance of all the three dosha (namely vata, pitta and kapha), there are almost many different types of Arthritis based on the predominance of dosha involved.

There are three dosha namely – vata, pitta and kapha, which are responsible for all the biological activities happening inside the body. A balance of these three maintains health. An imbalance causes disease.  Be it a state of health or disease, it does not happen without the involvement of these three dosha. It is the predominance of dosha that gives rise to variations in a disease condition.

Based on this, arthritis can be broadly categorized as

  • Vata type: eg: Sandhivata (osteoarthritis)
  • Pitta type : eg: Vatarakta (gout)
  • Kapha type: eg: Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis)
  • Combinations of two dosha type : eg: Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis), Vatarakta (gout)
  • Combination of all three dosha type

Amavata-  Ama is a metabolic toxin which has been created due to errors in metabolism. Sluggish metabolism leading to indigestion and formation of ama and ama once again predisposing to weak digestion and formation of more ama becomes a vicious cycle as time progresses.

If this condition is not attended, ama acts as a toxin and starts producing pain, swelling and stiffness at the site of its adherence and localisation. Thus ama when vitiated causes many painful conditions at the place of its vitiation and lodgement.

 Sandhivata- Osteoarthritis is called  Sandhi Vata in Ayurveda. It means a condition in which morbid Vata is located in the joints and destroys the joints.The vitiated Vayu on getting lodged in the joints of the body ,causes sandhivata. There are many symptoms that are affected by sandhivata like sound in the bones, fever afflicting the bones, splitting in the bones,etc. so hot fomentation, massage with oils, home remedies are mainly helpful in sandhivata.

Vatarakta-  Vatarakta mainly reffered to as Gout. It signifies the association of Vata disorder (joint pain) along with vitiated Pitta dosha and Rakta Dhatu. It takes shelter in skin and flesh . It produces symptoms like itching, burning sensation pain blackish discolour skin. The pain starts from the phalanges,especially from big toe.

Treatments:-

Treatments for arthritis include:

  • Rest and Relaxation
  • Exercise
  • Proper Diet
  • Medication
  •  Instruction about the proper use of joints and ways to conserve energy.

In severe cases, surgery could be necessary.

Home Remedies for joints pain:

Yoga and exercise :-

Arthritis generates swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints. This decreases the range of motion in the body, and can seriously limit the daily activities. To ease the symptoms of arthritis, yoga can definitely contribute.

Regular yoga practice can help with many of the symptoms of arthritis, such as improve the joint mobility, reduce pain, and help with managing stress and anxiety. But as with any new practice, it is good to consult with your doctor first before starting.

For people with arthritis, it may not be beneficial to jump into a Vinyasa or Ashtanga class, but choose an asana class which is more calm in nature, and which allows space for modification and the use of props such as:-

  • Cat & Cow Pose
  • Child’s Pose
  • Tree Pose
  • Cow Face Pose
  • Bridge Pose

That is one of the most important thing to do if you really desires of getting solution of joint pains.