The Apollo AyurVAID’s protocol-driven approach (Precision Ayurveda) focuses on controlling symptoms and aims to prevent disease progression, minimize disability, and enhance the quality of life.
Ayurvedic osteoarthritis treatment takes a holistic approach. It aims to balance the doshas, eliminate toxins, nourish the joints, and improve overall vitality. The type of treatment and its duration are tailored to the severity of the disease.
Reducing Pain / Inflammation (Poorvakarma Stage):
Objective: The Poorvakarma stage prepares the body for treatment by loosening toxins and balancing excess doshas. It addresses acute symptoms like pain and stiffness, reduces inflammation and metabolic toxins (Ama), and improves digestive fire (Agni).
Duration: ~ 7-8 days
Treatment Approach:
Internal Medications: These are prescribed based on the dosha imbalance to boost the bio-fire, aid digestion, and expel ama, providing immediate relief.
External Therapies: Lepa (application of herbal paste), Churna Pinda Sweda (massage of medicated powder over the affected site), and Kashaya or Dhanyamla Dhara (pouring warm decoction over the site) are used to reduce localized Ama, swelling, and pain and reduce the inflammatory response.
Reversing the pathogenesis: Panchakarma Therapies and Nourishing Phase
Panchakarma Therapies
Objective: Panchakarma focuses on cleansing the body of toxins and restoring dosha balance. Specific therapies have been proven highly effective in managing arthritis.
Duration: ~ 10-12 days
For Sthoola (Overweight) Patients:
Comorbidity Management: Obesity, diabetes, or other comorbidities (hormonal issues) that may directly impact OA pathogenesis are addressed as required through dietary adjustments and the integration of safe therapies such as Udwarthanam, Bashpaswedam, etc.
Detoxification: It is initiated with Snehapana (internal oleation) and Virechana (therapeutic purgation) to eliminate toxins and mitigate aggravated Pitta dosha. Further, Yoga Vasti or Kala Vasti is done for Vata vitiation to reverse the disease pathways and to improve the strength of bone and bone marrow.
For Krisha Patients:Abhyanga (oil therapy) lubricates joints, strengthens bones, and regenerates joint tissues. It is followed by Yapana Vasti to reverse etiopathogenesis.
External Therapies: Therapies such as Pinda Swedam are done for both patients to rectify any residual issues and strengthen joints.
Diet: Warm, digestible foods are recommended.
These two steps are done under the surveillance of doctors on an IP basis.
Nourishing and External Therapies
Duration: 3-6 months
Nourishing Therapies: Localized, external therapies, such as Kati Basti and Janu Basti (oil retention therapies), Taila Dhara (pouring warm oil over the site), and Ksheera Seka (pouring medicated milk over the site), nourish and relieve pain in the affected areas.
Rasayana Therapy: To strengthen the joint and prevent degeneration, lehyams, thailam, or gruthams are administered, and external therapies such as shashtika shali pinda swedam and ksheera sekam are done.
Lifestyle Changes: Dietary modifications, yoga, light exercise, weight management, and stress reduction to revive joint health, arrest disease progression, and prevent a recurrence. These measures can be taken at home (on an OP basis).
For the advanced OA Stage, the above approach is done for maintenance and slowing the progression, as etiopathogenesis reversal may not be possible.
NOTE: The duration of the treatment may vary depending on the stage of the disease, severity, and comorbidities involved.