Osteoarthritis is a
chronic and degenerative disease caused by inflammation and break-down of the
cartilage between the bones of weight bearing joints. Currently, there is no cure for this disease
and the aim of conservative treatment is to reduce pain, improve functioning of
the joint, as well as improve quality of life.
Current therapeutic measures include graded exercises, weight control,
heat therapy, medicines to control pain and inflammation, dietary supplements
to strengthen cartilage, and surgery as a last option. Joint replacement can treat intractable pain
of severe and advanced osteoarthritis; however, this option does not restore
full joint mobility and can be cost prohibitive.
The disability burden
of osteoarthritis is considerable, with an estimated 21 million people in the
US, and an estimated 70 million people in India currently being affected with
this disease. Since the disease is life-long,
pain and suffering from this disease are long-term or life-long. Hence, a comprehensive treatment for this disease
holds considerable significance both in terms of reducing disease morbidity as
well as financial loss due to disability.
Ayurvedic herbal
medicines have proved to be very useful in the treatment of chronic
osteoarthritis as well as advanced forms of this disease. Ayurvedic medicines have a comprehensive
action of reducing inflammation, strengthening bone cartilage, strengthening
the muscles and tendons around joints, as well as significantly reducing the
pain which is a hallmark of this disease.
Ayurvedic herbal medicines, given in high doses, can bring about
significant relief to affected individuals within about one or two months of
commencing treatment. Results are
equally effective even in patients of advanced osteoarthritis and obesity. The duration of treatment ranges from 6 to 12
months; once relief is obtained from pain, medicines can be gradually reduced
for the next few months and stopped altogether.
Local applications in the form of oils and ointments, as well as
fomentation therapy can be used to supplement oral treatment.
Ayurvedic herbal
medicines have proved to be very effective in the treatment of both chronic as
well as advanced osteoarthritis.
Considering the side-effects of modern drugs, and the high cost of
surgical joint replacement, Ayurvedic treatment can prove to be a great boon
for patients affected with osteoarthritis.
The writer, Dr. A. A.
Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com
