Rheumatoid Arthritis
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Next to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis in our culture. While osteoarthritis commonly leads to the deterioration of cartilage in the joints, rheumatoid arthritis creates inflammation in the joints and can be equally debilitating. There have been no definitive claims as to the cause of this disease, but it has been theorized by Western medical experts that the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis is based on the body attacking itself as a result of the dysfunction of the immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis leads to warm pain in joints on both sides of the body as well as inflammation and/or burning sensations of the eyes, skin, lungs, and other organs. It can also lead to swelling, deformation of the hands and feet, and fever. Joints most typically affected by rheumatoid arthritis include joints in the hands and arms, legs, hips, and neck. Rheumatoid arthritis is three times as likely to affect women as men.
Western medical practitioners offer a variety of treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. This may include medication such as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs, physical and occupational therapy, and, in extreme cases, surgery. Western medicine considers rheumatoid arthritis a life-long condition.
How Does Ayurveda View Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other rheumatic diseases, earns a place of distinction among different conditions in that it is possibly the result of several doshic imbalances. We typically associate joint pain with an excess of the air element as indicated by a Vata imbalance, and we typically associate the inflammation and heat pervasive in rheumatoid arthritis with an excess of the fire element as indicated by a Pitta imbalance. It is for this reason that some regimens will address both imbalances, though others may focus on one over the other. Vata imbalances are associated with throbbing, cutting pain that builds and diminishes and may be accompanied by dry skin, constipation, and other indications of dryness. Pitta imbalances are associated with burning sensations and redness, and may be accompanied by symptoms like diarrhea and excessive sweating.
Regardless of the specific imbalance, the emergence of this condition is likely a function of the toxicity that has built up in the body as a result of faulty digestion, as Ayurveda believes is the source of all disease in the body.
How Does Ayurveda Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Per the above, one of the primary directives for an Ayurvedic regimen in response to rheumatoid arthritis is to bring balance and strength to the digestive system. With stronger digestion, the body will be able to process the toxicity that leads to the inflammation in the joints and elsewhere. Beyond that, an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner may engage in more involved therapies like pancha karma so as to purge the body of the toxicity. It is also typical for a practitioner to prescribe herbal regimens as well as the application of herbalized oils so as to target the affected joints – and doshas – as needed.
Lifestyle Changes for Rheumatoid Arthritis
When we neglect to establish the root cause of one illness, it can turn into another, stronger illness in the future. The first step in resolving a specific ailment or disease in the body is to assess the nature of our lifestyle and make general modifications. Living our day-to-day life with a deliberate intention to improve our health will help us to both resolve the disease we are suffering from and prevent further incidence of it and other diseases in the future. Lifestyle changes in relation to the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis will likely center on modifying food choices and aligning behaviors with a reduction of the most imbalanced of the Vata and Pitta doshas.
General
- Avoid caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol.
- Avoid processed foods as well as leftovers.
- Avoid animal products, which will exacerbate inflammation.
- Discuss the potential side effects of any medications you might be taking with your doctor.
- Rub castor oil on the affected areas so as to nourish the associated joints.
Vata
- Engage in a regular sleeping routine, waking up and going to bed at the same time every day.
- Avoid rapid movements and sit quietly for some time throughout the day.
- Avoid long conversations.
Pitta
- Avoid spicy foods.
- Avoid overexertion in physical activities such as exercise and manual labor.
- Avoid emotional, heated, and passionate conversations.
Better Foods For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ayurveda teaches us that disease and sickness is derived from poor digestion and inappropriate food choices, so we make deliberate and conscious choices as to what foods we do and do not put in our body. When we suffer from a specific ailment, we then have an opportunity to make even more specific food choices to increase the chance of resolving the body’s imbalance. Food needs to be in season, in moderate combinations of one or two food groups, not too hot or cold, in a modest enough quantity to allow for room left over in the stomach, consumed without too much liquid which hinders digestive power, and fresh and not left over from more than a few hours before.
Given the close association between food and rheumatoid arthritis, it is of paramount importance to eat foods that are easy to digest so as to avoid adding further toxicity to the body.
Ghee
Milk
Berries
Apricots
Figs (fresh)
Peaches
Plums
Carrots
Beets
Zucchini
Sweet Potatoes
Asparagus
Whole wheat (unbleached)
Rice (white basmati)
Mung Beans
Ghee
Apples
Pears
Mangoes
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Brussel Sprouts
Asparagus
Barley
Oats (cooked)
Rice (white basmati)
Milk
Olive oil
Coconut oil
Foods To AVOID In Response To Rheumatoid Arthritis
While some foods can help to balance an aggravated dosha, other foods can cause further imbalance. Dry and cold foods as well as pungent, bitter and astringent tastes will dry out the body and aggravate the Vata dosha; sour, salty and pungent tastes as well as spicy foods will add more heat to the body and aggravate the Pitta dosha; sweet, sour and salty tasting foods will add heaviness to the body and aggravate the Kapha dosha. The following foods will likely exacerbate symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
General Recommendations:
Processed/packaged foods
Leftovers
Animal proteins
Refined sugars
Apples
Pears
Watermelon
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Tomatoes
Celery
Eggplant
Corn
Oats (dry)
Barley
Most legumes including green lentils and garbanzo beans
Raw and cold foods
Dry foods
Grapefruit
Bananas
Cherries
Pineapple
Tomatoes
Garlic
Carrots
Spinach
Rice (brown)
Corn
Nuts
Lentils
Corn oil
Almond oil
Spicy foods
Sour foods (like yogurt, sour cream, and pickles)
Salt
Beverages For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Generally, Ayurveda discourages the consumption of too many cold beverages, as doing so hinders the strength of the body’s digestive fire. Instead, favor room temperature or hot beverages to encourage the strength of the digestive fire.
- Hot water, especially during meals and first thing in the morning.
- Hot milk
- Herbal teas of cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric
- Avoid cold and frozen drinks
- Avoid sugary or fizzy drinks that blend with the digestive juice and make it weak.
- Avoid alcohol, black tea, and coffee.
Herbs For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Herbs are used in the Ayurvedic system much like Western medicine utilizes drugs and vitamins and can be taken like tea 2 to 3 times a day. Herbs aid in the digestion of food, the breakdown and elimination of toxins, and help to strengthen the cellular structure of our system for greater vitality. Herbs become more potent once mixed with other herbs of similar properties. Mix together 2 to 4 different herbs from the below list by adding a quarter to a half teaspoon full of each, for a total of 1 teaspoon of herbs total. Drink these in half cup of hot water.
Ginger
Turmeric
Cinnamon
Brahmi
Bala
Guggul
Guduchi
Haridra
Yoga Postures For Rheumatoid Arthritis
When applied therapeutically to specific ailments, yoga postures provide an opportunity to strengthen the body, rid it of toxic matter, and restore balance. The postures included in this section can be practiced as part of a more general sequence or can be focused on in short sessions. When first exploring yoga postures, it is best to only practice them for twenty minutes or so per day and buildup from there once the body becomes more flexible.
Plough
Downward Facing Dog
Bow
Knees into chest
Corpse
Aromatherapy For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Aromatherapy utilizes the fragrances of essential oils when applied to the skin. Essential oils can burn the skin and therefore must be diluted with a base oil such as sesame, coconut, sunflower, canola, or mustard oil. Mix 1 fluid ounce of base oil with about 12 drops of essential oil before applying to skin. You can also just mix 5 drops of base oil to one drop of essential oil if using on one spot.
As a function of a faulty immune system, the resolution of rheumatoid arthritis can be helped along building immune function through oils like myrrh, frankincense, rose, and lotus oils.
- Use a sesame oil base.
- Apply oil on the forehead or on the back of the neck.
Mantra Therapy For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ayurvedic tradition suggests that repeating certain words or sounds can help a person suffering from an ailment to restore subtle balance to nerve tissue and enhance one’s mental clarity. Different sounds are prescribed to either repeat mentally or chant outwardly. These sounds are also used and repeated in the mind for the purpose of spiritual growth.
To build the immune system and resolve Vata-associated symptoms, repeat “Ram” for several minutes a few times a day and build more practice over time.
- For a Vata- or Pitta-related disorder, it is helpful to both outwardly chant and inwardly repeat this syllable for the duration of time it is practiced.
Breathing Practices For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Controlling the breath is a central practice toward developing peace and stillness in the mind and body. When the breath is under our control, we are no longer at the mercy of the senses that are stimulated by everything and lead to greater fluctuations of the mind. When applied to the context of resolving specific ailments, the breath is used as a tool for developing lung capacity, heating and cooling the body and resolving mental afflictions like anxiety and stress. Like with the yoga postures above, breathing exercises are likely to be of significant benefit to those who suffer from considerable amounts of stress.
General Recommendations
The full breath
Pitta Recommendations
Shitali breathing
Vata Recommendations
The full breath
Alternate nostril breathing