Ayurvedic Management Of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis is an inflammatory disease (a type of arthritis) that causes stiffness and pain in the spine and in later to other joints throughout the body. Ankylosing Spondylitis is an immune disease and is more severe in men than women. The condition mainly affects the early adulthood stage of life.

According to Ayurveda, proper management of Vata dosha can cure Ankylosing Spondylitis to an extent. Ayurveda recommends a healthy diet, lifestyle, herbal remedies, and Ayurvedic treatments to get rid of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Symptoms Of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis may differ from person to person. However, the general symptoms are:

• Stiffness and back pain.
• Fatigue.
• Weight loss.
• Poor lung function.
• Anemia.
• Loss of appetite.
• Pain in the buttocks. .
• Swelling in the joints.
• Trouble in taking a deep breath.
• Inflammation of eyes.
• Neck pain.
• Heel pain.
• Lung fibrosis.

General symptoms of Ankylosing spondylitis are fatigue, back pain, and stiffness, weight loss, poor lung function, anemia, loss of appetite, pain in the buttocks, lung fibrosis, neck pain, heel pain, swelling in the joints, inflammation of eyes, and trouble in taking a deep breath.

Causes Of Ankylosing Spondylitis

There is no specific cause for the development of Ankylosing Spondylitis. According to researchers, certain factors lead to the development of Ankylosing Spondylitis. They are:

• Age

  Ankylosing Spondylitis generally occurs in early adulthood or later adolescence. .

• Gender

  The rate of Ankylosing Spondylitis in men is greater than in women and mostly affects severe conditions.

• Genetics

  People who suffer from Ankylosing Spondylitis generally have HLA-B27. People with the same gene have chances of growth of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

General factors for the development of Ankylosing Spondylitis are age, gender, and genetics.

Herbal Remedies To Cure Ankylosing Spondylitis

Herbs are the real gift of nature. The powerful medicinal properties of the herb help to cure various diseases. The herbs which are effective in treating Ankylosing Spondylitis are:

• Curcumin

  Curcumin is a chemical compound found in Turmeric that has a lot of health benefits. The rich anti-inflammatory properties in curcumin help to get rid of various inflammations and pain associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

• Indian frankincense (Boswellia)

  Indian frankincense is an extract derived from the Boswellia serrata tree that is very effective in the treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis. The herb can inhibit the production of inflammatory substances in the joints.

• Dry ginger

  Ginger is rich in anti-inflammatory properties. For centuries, ginger has been used to cure various diseases naturally. Ginger helps to get rid of the pain associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

• Ashwagandha

  Ashwagandha is very effective in treating Ankylosing Spondylitis. Ashwagandha is considered the queen of herbs with a lot of medicinal properties. The anti-inflammatory properties in Ashwagandha help to cure pain and inflammations associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

• Guggul

  Guggul gum resin is very effective in the treatment of joint pain associated with arthritis. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in guggul help to treat Ankylosing Spondylitis effectively. .

• Fenugreek

  Fenugreek is rich in various vitamins and folic acid. The anti-inflammatory properties of fenugreek help to get rid of pain and inflammation.

• Giloy(Tinospora)

  Giloy is very effective in treating different types of arthritis. Giloy contains analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Certain herbs that seem very effective in the treatment of arthritis are giloy, ashwagandha, fenugreek, guggul, dry ginger, Indian frankincense, and curcumin.

Ayurvedic Treatment To Cure Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ayurveda aims to find out the root cause of the disease and provides treatment based on that. Ayurveda can fix the treatment methods based on the body type of each person. Ayurvedic treatments are effective in getting relief from the pain and inflammation associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

• Dhanymla dhara (Pouring of a warm fermented liquid)

  Dhanymla dhara treatment is very effective in managing Vata disorders and inflammatory diseases. The therapy is pouring medicated liquid over the patient's body. The liquid is made with cereals and Navara/rice.

• Podikkizhi (Herbal powder massage)

  Podikkizhi treatment is like whole-body massage with kizhi. The kizhi is made with a combination of 12 herbs. The kizhi is used to dip in medicated oil. .

• Ilakkizhi (Massage with a bolus of fresh herbal leaves)

  Ilakizhi is also known as Patra Potli Sweda. Various medicinal leaves are used in Elakizhi treatment. The kizhi is dipped in medicated oils and is rich in Vata pacifying properties. Ilakizhi can be applied to the affected part or whole body for fast relief from the pain and inflammation.

• Oil massage with steam bath

  Herbal oil massage to the whole body and steam bath after that rejuvenates the entire body. .

• Vasthi (Medicated enema)

  Vasti is very effective in expelling Vata-based toxins from the body. Vasti can be of different types. Vasti is one of the prominent Panchakarma therapies.

• Tailadhara (Pouring medicated oils on the body)

  Thaila Dhara is very effective in removing body aches. Thaila Dhara is a combination of Snehana (oleation) and Swedana (sudation). Thaila Dhara is very effective in treating neurological disorders and arthritis.

• Njavarakizhi (Massage with Bolus of rice boiled in medicated milk)

  Navara rice is the key ingredient in Njavarakizhi. The treatment is very effective in relieving arthritis and curing neurological complaints. The kizhi has been applied all over the body by dipping in the warm mixture of milk and decoction intermittently.

• Ksheervasthi (Medicated milk-based enema)

  Ksheera Basti is very effective in treating Vata dosha. Ksheera Basti helps in strengthening tissues and improves flexibility. .

Effective Ayurvedic treatments to cure pain and inflammations associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis are Dhanymla dhara, Ksheera Basti, Njavara Kizhi, Thailadhara, Elakizhi, and Podikizhi.

Ahar (diet) Recommendations

A healthy diet and lifestyle changes can prevent various diseases to an extent.

• Include more fruit vegetables in your diet as they are rich in antioxidants, especially colorful ones.
• Avoid fatty and spicy foods as they are rich in cholesterol and lead to inflammation.
• Drink more water( minimum 8-10 glasses) daily.
• Add whole grains to your diet regularly.
• Avoid excess consumption of sugar and sugar products.
• Avoid high sodium content and highly processed foods.
• Avoid alcohol consumption as it may cause damage to internal organs.

Vihar (lifestyle) Recommendations

• Get enough sleep that helps to prevent fatigue symptoms.
• Exercise regularly daily to maintain a healthy weight that helps to prevent Ankylosis Spondylitis symptoms.
• Always maintain the right posture to avoid curving of the spine.
• Practice yoga and meditation to manage your stress as it may cause various health issues and hormonal imbalances.
• Practice stretching exercises to keep your joints flexible and ease stiffness and pain associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Ankylosing Spondylitis is an inflammatory disease similar to arthritis that primarily affects your spine. Age, sex, and genetics are the general causes of the development of Ankylosing Spondylitis. Ayurveda recommends a healthy diet, lifestyle, herbal remedies, and ayurvedic treatments to get rid of pain and inflammations associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Conclusion

All the information mentioned above was collected from various Ayurvedic resources. Kindly get the advice of your doctor before starting any herbs or herbal supplements.

References

• Ashtanga Hridaya.