Switch to Ayurveda for a pain-free life

Nobody likes it when a part of our body starts paining. Usual fatigue can be removed with a good massage or a sound sleep. However, we need to consider professional treatments for persistent pains as it could act as a red flag to a deeper malaise that needs urgent rectification. Hence pain has been given utmost importance in Ayurveda. There are varied treatments offered in Ayurveda to cure almost any bodily ailments and treatment modalities such as Jalaukaavcharan, Agnikarma, Marma Chikitsa, etc offer immediate pain relief without any untoward effects. Switch To Ayurveda For A Pain-Free Life and explore the concept of the practical pain care observed in Ayurveda. 

Effective Pain Management In Ayurveda

• Expulsion of Toxins and Impurities: Medicated herbal oil massages loosen impurities that are embedded in tissues and help liquefy them for easy absorption into the circulation and eventual elimination for pain relief.
• Better Digestion: Ayurveda advises herbal formulas which help in restoring balance to the specific functioning modes whose malfunctioning causes indigestion leading to localised pain.
• Appropriate Nutrition: Avoid digestion-depressing foods and give more preference for digestion-enhancing foods since incompletely digested foods create toxins and impurities in the body. They are then eventually absorbed, localised in tissues, and ultimately disrupt the proper functioning leading to chronic pain.
• Dietary remedies for Joint Pains: Garlic and Ginger have innate properties that are extremely good for controlling joint pains. Sour foods are bad for people with joint pains since they can increase the Vata. 
• Improving Nervous System Balance:  Cleansing programs, meditation, yoga asanas & breathing exercises, and even some specific diets & herbs help with the Vata imbalance that causes painful conditions. Excessive emotional, mental, and physical stress can be overcome by uninterrupted meditation 
• Lifestyle change: A step that is easier said than done. Adopting a lifestyle that does not disturb natural bodily rhythms will increase balance in your physiology and aid in healing your body.
• Regular Exercise: Stretching and flexibility exercises practiced regularly has a very positive effect on nervous system function, circulation, and healing response for many chronic pains.

Panchakarma: The Deep Healing And Detoxification Process Of Ayurveda

Panchakarma is a process that cleanses and detoxifies the body on all levels, leading to stronger immunity and overall health with the ultimate goal of removing toxins from the body left by any sicknesses and poor diet. Considered one of the most effective healing processes in Ayurveda, it's recommended when someone is experiencing illness as well as seasonally for some individuals. Panchakarma courses in Kerala are quite famous in and outside of India.

Just like any other medical procedure, Panchakarma too starts with an initial consultation where the nature of any illnesses is described to determine the patient's Prakriti for appropriate therapies to be prescribed. There are predominantly 5 steps to Panchakarma

1. Virechana

It is a medicated purification therapy done including a thorough cleaning of the bowels for treating skin diseases, gastrointestinal dysfunctions, and other issues associated with excess Pitta dosha in the body. Joint disorders, Gynecological disorders, and Headaches are a few of the benefits

2. Vamana

Excess kalpha dosha accumulated in the body and the respiratory tract is cleansed in this therapeutic emesis technique. It is helpful for bronchitis, colds, and asthama among many others. 

3. Basti 

Medicated oils/herbal decoctions are administered through the rectum to flush out the toxins from all the 3 doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha, through the colon. Joint pains, muscle spasms, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome are alleviated with this step.

4. Nasya

Medicated oils are administered through the nose to flush out the accumulated toxins from the head and neck areas to cure Insomnia, pigmentation, migraine,etc.

5. Raktamokshana 

Although Raktamokshana is the most limited of the five major procedures, it literally 'releases' impure blood from the system to provide a rapid and sometimes dramatic reduction of symptoms in certain acute disorders like migraine, tumours, and varicose veins.

Various Methods Of Pain Management In Ayurveda

1. Agnikarma

Also called “Dahan Karma”, Agni Karma is an Ayurveda treatment with heat burns. This process is normally done by using Pancha Dhatu, gold, silver, Iron Shalaka or even with metal coins & rings. Sometimes seeds of Bhallatak, Pippali, etc are also used. It is best suited for Joint pain, frozen shoulder, sciatica, headache, pain due to cervical spondylitis, heel pain, etc 

2. Jalaukavacharana (leech therapy)

The removal of vitiated blood at the site of pain using Leeches (Jalauka) is known as Jalaukaavcharana and it is proved by various researches that the burning sensation of the leech bite and sensory stimulus caused by the pain and can alleviate the symptoms of the patient. 

3. Viddha Karma

It’s a form of Vedhan karma, in which the tender points are pierced with special hollow needles

leading to a painful mechanical stimulus that causes the release of endorphins. This helps in immediate pain relief. It is similar to acupuncture treatment. 

4. Marma Chikitsa

It is a difficult yet effective, non-invasive, and handy method of wholesome healing that concentrates the treatment towards the various Marmas, which can be viewed as the meridian point system of Ayurveda that corresponds to nerves, organs, and bodily systems.

5. Lepana Chikitsa

Various medicated pastes are applied over painful body parts to alleviate the pain. 

6. Snehana karma

Snehana (Oleation) is practiced before the Panchkarma procedures using medicated Taila or Grita, both externally as well as internally. The Vata Dosha gets pacified due to this Oleation.

7. Swedana Karma

Swedana (steam therapy) is another Poorvakarma practice to Panchkarma which induces sweating of the whole body (Sarvanga Sweda) or localised part(Sthanika Sweda). Heat allows the skin & blood to be cleansed and reduces fat tissue and muscle tension.

8. Aushadha Yoga

A palliative treatment that is used to correct the vitiated Vata Dosha which is responsible for pain with the help of many single herbal drugs such as Guduchi, Eranda, Guggulu, Aswagandha, Rasna, Shunthi, Nirgundi, Langali, Kuchala, Bala, Atibala, Nagarmotha, Ajmoda, etc.

In conclusion, Ayurveda has many hidden gems of wisdom that are still being explored and understood by the modern generation. So if you wish to move away from the side effects of western medicines, switch to Ayurveda for a pain-free life. School of Ayurveda & Panchakarma is a famous Ayurveda institute in Kerala that can provide quality education about Ayurveda and its practical applications.