Winter is characteristically like Vata Dosha (dry and cold) and has a harmful effect on joints. As one ages, problems like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, etc become aggravated during winters and cause a lot of pain.
Here are some tips to preserve your joints in winters and keep them healthy by Dr Tarun Gupta, Senior ayurvedic Consultant, SKK Ayurveda & Panchakarma.
Kapha foods for joints
Kapha is responsible for maintaining tissues, body fluids, lubrication, flexibility and firmness in the body. These are important for the proper functioning of the joints and hence it is important to include more Kapha balancing foods (astringent, mildly sweet fruits, herbal teas, warm soups) especially in winter, that help in balancing Kapha in the body and facilitate painless movement of the joints.
Warm Ayurvedic oill massage
Warm medicated oil massages are helpful in promoting muscle and joint relaxation. This can be done at home with warm coconut oil or by making Poultices, known as Potlis in Ayurveda. These can be used for frozen shoulders, spondylitis pain, arthritis and all kinds of joint and muscular pains. In a clean muslin or cotton cloth, pack 1 cup rice powder, 3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon cardamom powder, 1 teaspoon of clove powder and 1 teaspoon rock salt. Tie it into a pouch. Take a cup of sesame oil and mildly heat in a pan. Dip the pouch in warm oil. Check the warmth of the potli and apply gently on the joints. This will relax the muscles around the joint, promote blood circulation and provide amazing pain relief.
Get crucial information about Joint Pain Treatment in Ayurveda
Yoga for pain-relief, flexibility and strength
Marjariasana (cat pose), Balasana (Child pose) and Gomukhasana (Cow face pose) are known to keep the joints flexible. However, these asanas should not be done when you are experiencing pain. Doing these yoga asanas regularly gives your joints flexibility and fluidity and strengthens your joint muscles.
Fenugreek (Methi):
Fenugreek is a high-grade antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, making it a preferred choice for joint pain treatment. Swallow one medium-sized teaspoon of fenugreek powder mixed with honey and drink a glass of lukewarm water with it. Don t gulp down the entire glass in one go! Take slow sips. Soon enough, you would notice a difference in the severity of pain you re experiencing.
Living with joint pain can be very difficult, especially if you re getting on in age. If you’ve been experiencing joint pain for a while, we d advise you not to ignore it. Make sure you see a doctor at the first signs of joint pain so that the problem can be nipped in the bud.
Know more about Pain Management in Ayurveda at SKK Ayurveda and Panchakarma Center in Delhi