Ayurvedic Treatment for Orthopedic Diseases Symptoms, Causes, and More

Orthopedic is a branch of medicine concerned with treating injuries of the skeleton and associated structures such as tendons and ligaments. Orthopedic diseases are conditions affecting the body's muscles, ligaments, and joints.

Orthopedic conditions are injuries and diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system including muscles, bone, nerves, joints, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissues. Any damage of these structures causes orthopedic problems.

What are the common orthopedic problems?

Orthopedic problems include

• Arthritis (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis)
• Lower Back pain
• Fractures
• Hamstring injuries
• Pain in the joints like knee joint, shoulder joint, hip joint, wrist and elbow joint
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Ligament injuries
• Bursitis
• Muscle injury
• Spinal disc problem
• Ankylosing spondylitis

What are the common symptoms?

• Fatigue combined with joint pain or swelling
• Deformities of a joint
• Joint stiffness and limited range of movement
• Muscle spasms
• Numbness, and tingling sensation
• Swelling of the injured area
• Pain which may be mild, moderate, or severe
• Stabbing or burning sensation
• Redness due to Inflammation

Symptoms may vary depending on the cause and severity.

What are the Causes?

• Acute trauma is sudden injury.
• Chronic trauma is due to repeated force or stress on joint structures like tendons and ligaments.
• Degenerative changes result in Osteoarthritis.
• Risk factors include obesity, ageing, chronic medical conditions like diabetes, smoking, strain, and heavy weight lifting in an inappropriate manner.

Ayurveda approach for orthopedic problems:

If the degenerative changes are the causes for the orthopedic in Ayurveda, early diagnosis always helps to treat with Ayurveda medications and with an excellent positive result.

Panchkarma followed by internal medications helps to control the degenerative changes and reduce the symptoms like painting, swelling, and deformities.

• Basti is planned upon the condition of the individual.
• Sthanika Basti includes Janu Basti, and Katiwasti, also depending upon the condition of the individual.
• Abhyanga with ksheerabala taila, dhanwantari taila, or nirgundi taila based on the condition of the patient, and dosha vikriti.
• Pichu is the therapy, a thick cotton dipping in medicated oil and placed on affected joints.
• Swedana
• Shashtika shaali pinda sweda
• A fracture in Ayurveda is called bhagna, so immobilization followed by lepana, internal medication, condition can be treated.

Important herbs for bone health:

• Shunti
• Shallaki
• Nirgundi
• Rasna
• Haridra
• Ashwagandha
• Arjuna

Diet

Diet plays a very important role as a supplement and supporter for bones, muscles, and all the supporting structures. A diet should be always rich in calcium and vitamins including vitamin C rich in oranges, bell peppers, guavas, kiwi fruit, papaya, and broccoli.

• Dried plums, soaked almonds, walnut
• Fresh fruits and leafy vegetables
• Avoid Maida sugar and high salt diet
• Avoid fried and spicy food.

Role of yoga for healthy bones and muscles:

• Practicing yoga daily improves joint flexibility, and decreases stress levels.
• Prevent muscle weakness, improve the posture of the spine, and strengthen bone to prevent fracture.
• Slow warm up
• Sukshma vyayama
• Bhujangaasana
• Trikonasana
• Ushtraasana
• Padmasana
• Matsyasana
• Ardhamatsendraasana slowly builds strength, and mobility and always has to be practiced under guidance.