Rheumatism

Rheumatism includes all conditions that are chronic with intermittent pain affecting joints or connective tissue and covers around 200 different conditions.

Common conditions that come under the topic are Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis etc. Many infectious conditions like Chikungunya also have similar symptoms. Ankylosing Spondylosis and Psoriatic Arthritis are autoimmune disorders that affect joints.

Many of these conditions are categorised under Vata Rogas in Ayurveda. Some of them are Amavata, Sandhigata vata and Vatarakta. The treatment and management of these conditions are done according to the dosha predominance and the condition of the patient.

Both Shodhana and Shamana chikitsa are used for treating Vata Rogas. Only those patients who are eligible for Shodhana chikitsa can undergo purificatory process. Others can be given Shamana chikitsa.

Also, there are many conditions in which Shodhana chikitsa cannot be done. That may be because of the incurability of the condition or may be the patient does not have enough strength to undergo the purification process. Such conditions can be managed by giving Shamana chikitsa. Shamana chikitsa includes internal medications like kashayas, arishtas etc to cure.

The assessment of the condition of a person is done by the physician and he is the one who decides what type of treatment can be given to the person. The person should follow the directions of the physician on diet, lifestyle and food to get the desired results.