Kerala also known as world’s own country and the House of Ayurveda attracts fitness enthusiasts and wellness seekers from various corners of the world to seek authentic Ayurveda and natural healing. Kerala with its traditional Ayurvedic rituals and keeping authentic Ayurveda alive is also a global wellness destination because of its Ayurvedic wisdom. The natural abundance of herbs and the well trained and certified Ayurvedic practitioners offer the best Ayurveda therapies in Kerala.
This includes relief from chronic pain, especially issues related to the knee, back, and joint. These issues are not only one of the most common issues, but also a result of the poor lifestyle choices and fast paced lifestyle that we are a part of today. The Ayurvedic treatments in Kerala not only aim to address these issues at the root cause but also offer effective healthcare and lifestyle routine that not only offers comfort from pain, but also restores balance both internally as well as externally. In this guide, we will be understanding how Ayurveda approaches pain and what are some of the most effective Ayurvedic treatments for addressing joint, knee and back pain.
How Ayurveda Approaches Pain
In Ayurveda, pain in joints, knee and back is associated with an imbalance with Vata dosha. Unlike modern day healthcare, Ayurveda offers one of the best Ayurveda treatment in Kerala by addressing diseases from its root cause by first understanding the unique constitution of the patient’s body. Ayurveda believes that each one of us is made of the five elements of nature – Earth, air, water, ether and fire. And these elements combine the three doshas of the body – Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Any kind of imbalance related to these three doshas result in issues in the body both internally as well as externally.
A pain in the joint, knee and back is majorly linked to imbalance in the Vata Dosha. When the Vata dosha is imbalanced, it results in stress, improper diet, insomnia, and over exertion; all leading to stiffness and degeneration of bones and tissues. This is one of the major reasons that conditions such as spondylitis, sciatica, arthritis etc. are seen. Ayurveda aims to address these issues by nourishing and rejuvenating the affected areas through herbal oils, detox therapies and customizations in the day to day lifestyle choices.
Best Ayurvedic Treatment for Knee, Back & Joint Pain in Kerala
Abhyangam (full body oil massage)
Abhyangam is one of the star therapies in Ayurveda. It is the foundation of most of the Ayurvedic treatments. This ancient therapeutic treatment involves the usage of gently warmed oil, infused with certain specific herbs to be applied on the patient’s body in rhythmic circles with appropriate amount of pressure. The idea of Abhyangam is to relieve the patient from muscle fatigue, improve blood circulation in the body, add lubrication to the joints, and aid in pain relief. Usually Abhyangam is carried out for around 45 to 60 minutes and then it is followed by Swedan – a steam therapy to elevate the effectiveness of oil to penetrate deeper in the skin.
Kati basti (lower back oil pool therapy)
In Kati Basti, a pool of oil is made to rest on the person’s back. The pool is created by making a dough ring usually made from black gram flour. The dough is shaped in the form of a ring so that the warm herbal oil can be poured in it and the oil can be retained for half an hour or so to offer deep nourishment. The idea of Kati vasti is to deeply penetrate the oil in the spine muscle and the disks to help in lower back pain, lumbar spondylitis and issues such as sciatica. In addition to offering relief in the lower back, Kati Basti also improves body posture and nourishes the nerves.
Janu basti (knee oil pool therapy)
Janu basti is one of the most effective Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain in Kerala. Janu Basti is similar to Kati basti, the only difference is that the flour ring is created on the knees to make the oil sit over the knees. This therapy is effective in relieving pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints. It improves mobility by increasing lubrication in the joints and it is especially effective for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. One of the most common oils used for Janu Basti is Ksheeabala tailam and Narayana Tailam.
Pizhichil (oil bath therapy and massage)
Pizhichil is a luxurious oil bath therapy and massage, where continuous pouring of gently warmed herb infused oil is done along with massage at the same time by a trained ayurvedic practitioner. This herbal oil bath therapy not only helps in detoxification but also in rejuvenation. It enhances flexibility in the body and promotes blood circulation, improves skin health, relieves of muscle fatigue and arthritis pain.
Kizhi (herbal poultice therapy)
Kizhi therapy includes making small pouches of herbs, leaves and powders which is then generally heated and patted and massaged over the patient’s body. The idea of poultice therapy is to reduce pain, stiffness in joints, and inflammation. This improves blood flow and also releases metabolic toxins.
Basti (medicated enema therapy)
Basti is one of the procedures in the Panchkarma treatment. Panchkarma is a star detox therapy followed in Kerala which offers an internal cleansing and detoxification. In Basti, medicated oils and herbal concoctions are inserted in the body through the medium of rectum to balance the Vata dosha which is the prime reason for joint pain. It is an effective therapy which offers long term relief. There are two kinds of Basti practiced for joint and back pain. One is Anuvasana Basti which is oil based and the second is Niruha Basti which is herb decoction based.
Conclusion
Knee, back and joint pain may not seem such big a disease, but these are problems that can severely impact day to day life of a person. Kerala’s authentic Ayurvedic practices not only offer relief but address the root cause and offer a sustainable way to balance the body thoroughly. So, time rested Ayurvedic rituals and treatments without any side effects offers long term solutions and detoxification and rejuvenation from within. If you are struggling with knee, back and joint pain and want to visit Kerala to experience authentic Ayurvedic treatments, enrolling with Lokah Ayurveda which is run under the guidance Certified Ayurveda therapist in Kerala Doctor Anu S Soman can help you get relieved of chronic issues and get rid of pain killers.
