Ayurvedic Tips for Healthy Joints

As we begin to understand how to maintain proper health and function of the joints, let us first look at their anatomy and physiology from an ayurvedic perspective. Joints hold the bones together and are designed to provide movement within the skeletal system. The main function of bone is support, while the joints allow a certain amount of flexibility and "give" to our structure. The synovial joints, where the ends of bone are connected by a joint cavity or capsule containing synovial fluid, allow freedom and fluidity in the articulation of our movements.

All of the supportive tissues, bones, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue, are kapha dosha, while the joint cavity or space where the bones meet is an element ruled by vata dosha. The joint capsule provides a container for the slippery synovial fluid, again a kapha substance, that lubricates the ends of the bone surfaces and also accommodates a tough, protective covering into which the ligaments and tendons can insert themselves. It is through the ligaments that nerve impulses are transmitted to the muscles signaling movement, a function of vata dosha.

Healthy joint tissue and function are crucial to how we move and express ourselves through our bodies.

According to ayurveda, vitiated or disturbed vata dosha can createimbalance within the joints resulting in pain and discomfort. Most commonly affected joints are knees, ankles, elbows, wrists, fingers and toes. When there is an  imbalance in the joints, it is important to discern whether or not the imbalance exists with or without ama, a sticky toxic substance.

A simple test can be done with organic sesame oil. Massage the oil into the joint. If the symptoms are aggravated, then there is  ama present, a condition known as amavata. If the symptoms are alleviated by the oil massage or stay the same, then the treatment will begin with the removal of the causative factors and balancing vata dosha.

The dryness of vata can deplete the lubricating qualities of kapha and joint surfaces can become rough and brittle.

Common symptoms of vata imbalance in the joints are dryness, popping and cracking, and muscle tics and spasms. Some common causative factors are jogging, jumping, excessive exercise, injury, consuming too many dry foods, living in a cold, dry climate and irregular eating habits and lifestyle.

Entering the vata season of life of fifty years and older will also increase vata dosha throughout the body. Particularly during the vata season of Fall, when the temperature becomes cold and the wind begins to blow,symptoms may become aggravated. Ayurveda offers simple guidelines and herbal remedies for supporting healthy function of the joints.

A few lifestyle therapies for balancing excess vata in the joints are:

* Maintain a regular schedule, sleeping and waking at the same time each day.

* Abhyanga, self-oil massage every evening. Choose organic sesame or vata massage oil.

* Massage medicinal Mahanarayan oil locally into sore, stiff joints.

* Follow vata pacifying diet, taking meals at regular times each day.

* Banyan Botanicals Joint Support. (See below for a detailed description.)

* Practice gentle yoga. The Pawanmuktasana Series (wind-relieving or anti-rheumatic group) of circular movements decrease vata and increase lubrication of the joints.

In a condition of amavata, ama is carried by misdirected or vitiated vata into general circulation throughout the body. When it interacts with the kapha in the joint spaces, the synovial fluid loses its' highly viscous quality and changes into a sticky toxic substance. It can begin to block vital channels throughout the body that carry nutrients to the tissues and cause disfunction within the joint. The immune system can begin to attack the ama stored in the joints causing an inflammation of the joint lining. Inflamed tissue can result in symptoms of excess heat, redness, pain, stiffness, and swelling. Acute inflammation, if left untreated, can cause damage or injury to the joint and bone tissue resulting in a chronic condition. Untreated chronic inflammation can lead to degenerative disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Ama can be clotted together with dead cells which the immune system sweeps up. Because it can also be so deeply embedded within healthy tissue, the immune cells can become confused by the similarity to that which it has been scavenging, unable to properly identify the toxic invader from the healthy tissue; an "autoimmune" reaction.

The primary causes for accumulation of ama are improper diet, excessive exercise, exhaustion due to overwork, extreme worry, and the use of alcohol. It commonly occurs in cold, damp climates. For the condition of amavata, removing the causative factors and eliminating ama from the body are paramount. Treatment to balance the doshas and rejuvenate the joint and bone tissue ensues.

Here are some additional lifestyle guidelines to help reduce ama and restore balance:

* Favor warm, nourishing, easy to digest meals. Try ama-reducing kitchari.

* Include ghee or flax seed oil in your diet, both nourishing and anti-inflammatory. They help to increase cellular intelligence.

* Avoid white sugar and alcohol. Use unprocessed, raw honey (uncooked) to help gently scrape away ama.

* Avoid dairy, particularly ice cream and cheese.

* Apply a thin layer of castor oil to sore joints before applying heating pad to help reduce inflammation and scrapeama.

* Keep your colon clean. Empty bowels regularly.

* Sip hot water and tea made from dry ginger root (or ginger tea bags).

* Practice deep, abdominal breathing. Ujjayi and Nadi Shodana pranayama gently help to move toxins from the body.

* Meditate daily for clarity.

* Address any psychological disturbances or unresolved emotions.

One of the best herbal formulas to alleviate joint problems and maintain healthy function of the joints and muscles is Banyan Botanicals Joint Support. This formula contains the following herbs synergistically blended to help increase the body’s digestive fire enabling cleansing and expulsion of ama, while reducing inflammation and rejuvenating the joints. Below, each ingredient of the formula is listed along with a description of the action or effect it has on the body.

* Guggulu �?an anti-inflammatory with strong purifying and rejuvenating properties. Indicated for arthritis, rheumatism, gout, lumbago disorders of the nervous, respiratory, digestive and circulatory systems.

* Guduchi - a broad spectrum pitta-reducing herb that destroys toxins and strengthens immunity.

* Amalaki, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki - the three fruits comprising the detoxifying and tonifying ayurvedic panacea, Triphala.

* Vidanga - a powerful herb which destroys ama (toxins).

* Ashwagandha - an adaptogenic rejuvenative herb with anti-inflammatory properties.

* Gokshura -  an anti-inflammatory and rejuvenative.

* Turmeric - an anti-bacterial and powerful blood purifier with anti-inflammatory properties.

* Ginger, Black pepper and Pippali - powerful digestive aids to increase agni (digestive fire), helping to burn ama and promote circulation.

Enjoy these ayurvedic tips and know you are on your way to maintaining healthy joint function and restoring comfort and balance to your joints and muscles. Support your bones and joints and they will support you!

Copyright 2004 by Banyan Trading Co. Banyan Botanicals, Supporting Your Ayurvedic Lifestyle, 6705 Eagle Rock Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, Call 1.888.829.5722 or write to: [email protected]        http://www.banyanbotanicals.com