Heal Your Pain - Ayurveda

It could be difficult to assess someone’s pain if they are not verbalizing it. However, there are some sign and symptoms that a person can display if they are in pain:-

• Moaning, whimpering, or groaning
• Facial grimacing or a frown
• Constant shift on the bed
• Restlessness
• Agitating
• Appearing tense and uneasy
• Guarding the area of pain against touch
• Poor sleeping
• Physical inactivity
• Anxiety and irritability
• Dependency on others
• Loss of appetite
• Heavy breathing
• Anxiety & depression
• A decrease in way of functioning/Low productivity

Ayurveda is the biggest contributor to mankind for human longevity and wellbeing in the most natural possible way. Ayurveda can help to heal from pain in the best possible organic way with the help of authentic medication, dedicated therapy, and massages. 

First, the holistic assessment of the health is done in which the Vaidya looks at the whole picture of the health and try to achieve full understanding of the body. During the assessment, Vaidya determines that what treatment plan will best suit the patient. Then, the treatment course starts followed by therapies such as Abhyangam, Patra pinda sweda/Elakizhi, Podikizhi, Janu Vasti, Kati Vasti, Greeva vasti, Pizhicil, Shirodhara, etc depending on the conditions of the patient along with herbal medications wholesome and well balanced cuisines, Yoga & meditation session, fitness session to revitalize the body and bring harmony to mind and soul.

In Ayurveda, the diagnosis procedures are two pronged. One aims to establish the state and type of pathology and second decides the mode of treatment.  It is done through holistic assessment of the health. The Vaidya will look at the whole picture of the patient health and try to achieve the full understanding. They observe, palpate and interrogate with the patients. The Vaidya determines the doshas or body constitution, the health of Dhatus (tissues), the strength of digestive fire, immunity and as well as mental harmony. This involves asking extensive questions on topic like lifestyle, diet, personal and professional life, medical history and any current problems. While knowing the constitution of the body, it will provide insight into which of the doshas are most likely to be in excess and which therapies and treatments plan will best suit the patient. 

A risk factor is something that increases a person’s chance of developing chronic pain. There are some leading physical factors which could put at risk of chronic pain:

• Age: As the age passes and people grow older, there is a high chance to develop chronic pain
• Genetics: Some chronic pain conditions such as migraine linked to genetics can make it more sensitive to chronic pain
• Obesity: People who have extra weight has a high chance to develop chronic pain as overweight put pressure on joints of our body
• Previous injury: If people have suffered from any previous injury are more likely to develop the risk of Chronic pain
• Infection: Infection in joints due to the presence of microbial agents like bacteria and viruses may develop chronic pain.
• Smoking: Smoking can also cause pain.
• Heavy lifting or strenuous physical activity are at greater risk for developing chronic pain
• Bad postures of sitting, walking and standing
• Mood disorders: People living in anxiety and depression have a greater risk to develop chronic pain
• Childhood trauma: People who have faced parental neglect, physical or sexual abuse are more likely to suffer from chronic pain

The way in which we live our life can put us at risk to develop chronic pain in the body. There are some preventive measures that need to be followed which can give an edge in warding of future chronic pain. These are:

• Follow balanced and proper diets
• Avoid smoking
• Manage stress
• Take safety precautions to limit your risk of injury 
• Seek help for mood disorders before it leads to chronic pain
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly and build muscle strength and flexibility
• Have a good posture of sitting, walking, standing
• Avoid heavy lifting
• Sleep on a firm mattress
• Take plenty of rest
• Avoid sudden movements or muscle strain
• Reduce stress, anxiety, and tension

It is most important to find the root cause of any pain. Ayurveda provides a different approach to heal the pain. Ayurveda while addressing the root cause with a holistic and non-invasive approach comprised of proper lifestyle, diet modifications, herbal medications, yoga asanas, pranayama & meditation & therapies such as Abhyangam, Patra pinda sweda/Elakizhi, Podikizhi, Janu Vasti, Kati Vasti, Greeva vasti, Pizhicil, Shirodhara, etc depending on the condition of pain can heal the ailments from the roots.  

Note: Internal medications and therapy are prescribed by expert Ayurveda physician after complete assessment.

• Abhyangam: Abhyangam is a Sanskrit word that means application of warm oil on the body. It is an old ayurvedic oil massage. In this massage, the oil is applied on the entire body from the scalp to the sole of feet using soft and gentle strokes followed by a steam bath. This massage reduces the aggravated Vata in our body, gives relaxation, revitalize the tissue, and remove toxic wastes from our body. 
• Elakizhi: Elakizhi is a combination of two words Ela and Kizhi. Ela means leaves and Kizhi means Potli or bolus. It is an ayurvedic treatment method of sweat-inducing. In this process, herbal leaves are fried with medicated oils and other ingredients and tied in a Potli. Then, Potli is dipped into hot medicated oil and slowly applied over the body or on the affected area. It gives relief from body pain, stiff joints, backaches, and similar ailments. This massage therapy is highly effective in treating ailments affecting the joints and bones.
• Podikizhi: It is an ancient Ayurveda treatment in which Kizhis are filled with herbal powders, and are warmed and pounded over the body with moderate pressure for a certain duration. This treatment is very beneficial for relieving spasm, stiffness of joints and muscles, and beneficial in melting fat around the muscles. 
• Vasti: It is an important ayurvedic treatment procedure especially meant for Vata diseases. There are many types of Vasti and it is performed under the guidance of an expert Vaidya. It is a proven method of Ayurveda very effective in every aspect. In this treatment, the mediated liquids and oils are passed through the anus or vaginal anal to expel body toxins. It is a result-oriented treatment that provides relaxation to Vata disorders. 
• Januvasti: Januvasti treatment begins with circling the knee region with herbal dough. Then, lukewarm oil is poured slowly till it fills below the rim of the circle and it is kept for a certain duration of time. This therapy is very effective in treating osteoarthritis and to heal knee bone injury.
• Kativasti: Kativasti is a combination of two words Kati and Vasti. The word Kati means low back or waist and Vasti means containing or retaining something inside. Vasti is a ring-shaped compartment made up of special grains or wheat where medicated oil is kept. In this procedure, the Vasti is placed over the affected area and warm medicated oil is poured in the ring. The skin absorbs the oil slowly and after 30-40 minutes, the ring is removed and the remaining oil is massaged over the affected area. This treatment gives relief from back pain, stiff muscles, and also enhances blood circulation. It is one of the most effective therapy/massages for chronic back pain. 
• Pizhicil: It is a very intensive Ayurveda treatment that helps to relieve body pain and muscle spasms. In this treatment, medicated fluid, mostly oil is poured all over the body for a duration of 60 minutes every day for a period ranging from 7-21 days. It is very effective in the treatment of all types of spinal disorders.
• Greevavasti: In this procedure, a compartment is created around the back of the neck using black gram dough. Medicated oil such as Bala Ashwagandhadi taila, Mahanarayana taila, Mahamasha taila, Sahacharadi taila, Murivenna taila, Ksheerabala taila, etc is heated on water bath and gently poured into the compartment and retained for few minutes. This procedure is continued for 30-45 minutes which gives relief from neck pain.
• Shirodhara: It is an ancient Ayurveda therapy which uses medicated herbal oil to treat headache, sinus issues, and stress. In this treatment, medicated oil is poured on the head in slow oscillation movement and gently massaged to different pressure points in the body. It is very effective in rejuvenation and revitalization of the body.
• Internal medications are prescribed by expert Ayurveda physician after complete assessment and deciding the associated dosha involved with Vata causing pain. 
• Changed and customized therapy after consultation with the Vaidya.
• Anti-inflammatory dietary approach
• Regular Yoga, meditation & exercise session to give flexibility to joints.
• Proper routine of lifestyle
• Balanced diet plans