Knee Pain Treatment in Ayurveda

Causes of Knee Pain

The major causes of knee pain are:

• ACL injury
• Fractures
• Torn meniscus
• Knee bursitis
• Patellar tendinitis
• Loose body
• Iliotibial band syndrome
• Dislocated kneecap
• Hip or foot pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Pseudogout
• Septic arthritis
• Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Diagnosing Knee Pain in Ayurveda

Knee pain is diagnosed via the following methods:

• Medical history and physical examination
• X-ray
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• CT scan
• Arthroscopy
• Radionuclide bone scan

Ayurvedic Medicine for Knee Pain

Ayurvedic treatment for knee joint pain utilizes the powers of following Ayurvedic herbs to treat this ailment. Some common herbs for treating knee pain are:

• Amruta Bhallatak yoga: This is an ancient formulation and has been found effective in cartilage regeneration. Along with this, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties present in this herb reduce inflammation in the cartilage and alleviate knee pain.
• Shallaki (Boswellia serrata): A plant gum-resin extract, Shallaki is a potent painkiller and has antioxidative properties as well. Shallaki is widely used for treating osteoarthritis and muscular pains. It is widely used in the Ayurvedic cure for knee pain.
• Guggulu: Guggulu is the best Ayurvedic medicine for knee problems. It has anti-inflammatory action and forms the base of popular joint pain formulations like Yogaraj Guggulu, Mahayogaraj Guggulu, Sinhnaad Guggulu, etc.
• Amruta (Tinospora cordipholia): Amruta treats conditions including diabetes, glucose metabolism, and inflammation. It is shown to have excellent results in auto-immune disorders. It also relieves joint pain.

Ayurveda treatment for knee joint pain is not just limited to Ayurvedic herbs and medicines; it also helps you with lifestyle recommendations that relieve pain and improve your symptoms. The Ayurvedic cure for knee pain lists the following lifestyle changes for knee pain patients:

• Maintain a healthy weight: Shedding extra weight off your body will not only ease the pressure on your joints but also help with relieving joint pain. However, do exercises that are comfortable for you. Swimming is a great exercise for someone suffering from joint pain.
• Exercise: Regular exercise has been linked with increased mobility and reduced joint pain. However, if your knee pain symptoms are severe then you have limited choices when it comes to exercise. Indulge in low-impact exercises like water aerobics, walking, cycling, or stretching to strengthen your joints. Keep a rest day in between to give a much-needed break to your joints.
• Maintain a Healthy Diet: As the saying goes, “You become what you eat”. To mitigate joint pain, include more foods and supplements that have been proven to ease inflammation in the knee joints. Omega-3 fatty acids found in foods like fish, chia seeds, soybeans, and walnuts keep a check on inflammation in the knee joints. Fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts are also excellent in fighting off the oxidative stress in the knee joints. Moderate the consumption of processed foods.
• Quit Smoking: Smoking results in a slowing down of blood flow in the body which makes it difficult for your body to recover from injuries and inflammation. If you are a chain smoker, try to reduce the frequency of smoking so that your symptoms do not aggravate.
• Manage stress: When you are under stress, your body releases Cortisol, the stress hormone. This hormone negatively impacts the immune system of your body. As a result, your knee pain may see a flare-up when you are under stress. Meditate to combat stress. Deep-breathing exercises like Anulom-vilom, pranayama, etc. are excellent at keeping your stress level in check.