February 17, 2021
Ayurveda for Pain Management
There are a lot of people in the world who seek medical help every day to fix the chronic pain but still can’t get rid of it permanently. For those, who are tired of relying on their medications for chronic pain, we truly believe that you should give Ayurveda a try as an alternative therapy because it focuses on a holistic approach for healing your body.
Unlike modern medications, Ayurveda, that has been around for over 5000 years in India, offers a different approach to help people get rid of the chronic pain. Ayurveda is based on 5 primary elements (space, air, fire, water & earth). To deal with pain relief, the fundamental focus is on self-efficacy, where the power of the mind to relieve pain is drawn upon through positive ideation and meditation practices. In Ayurvedic practice, body, mind, and soul’s balance has a great impact on the wellness and health of a person.
What is Chronic Pain?
It is said that Ayurveda welcomes and accepts pain, even when it is trying to help you get relief from pain. It is believed that your body sends you messages and if you tend to ignore them, pain arises. Some of your unconscious habits that can cause chronic pain may include:
· holding your breath
· chronically tensing your muscles
· suppressing your emotions
· eating over processed and refined food
· ingesting too much caffeine or not drinking enough water
All this makes you more susceptible to pain because they aggravate Vata, the dosha that has an involvement in case of chronic pain.
How can Ayurveda help you with your Chronic Pain?
It is important to know that everyone is different and so are their body requirements. You must always look for an Ayurvedic program that is catered to your unique requirements. Until then, let’s take a look at a few Ayurvedic remedies that can help anyone with chronic pain.
· Massage
For all sorts of ailments, regular oil massage is given a lot of importance in Ayurveda. It is known to reduce chronic pain because of its therapeutic effects to reduce joints & muscle stiffness, tame Vata, mobilize toxins, increase blood circulation, and relax your body completely. It would be best if you can get in touch with a therapist who can help you with your body massage requirements on a regular basis.
· Lifestyle Changes
In the modern day, our routine’s major part consists of working, eating, sleeping, etc. This can be an important reason for us facing the issue of chronic pain. However, making certain changes in our lifestyle can help to balance mind, body, and soul. We are not asking you to leave your daily routine. But you can definitely add a few things to it like spending time in nature, exercising, making changes in your diet, adding breathing exercise & meditation practice etc.
· Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy plays an important role in helping your body get relief from chronic pain. According to a few studies, the essential oils of thyme and rosemary are known to increase the blood flow in your muscles and create warmth. On the other hand, essential oils of peppermint and myrrh are popular for their pain reducing impact. You can simply sprinkle a few drops of the essential oil of your choice into the diffuser, add to hot bath, or simply add to the base massage oil.
· Diet Changes
Diet is an important part of Ayurveda that helps in healing your body. You might have already heard that what you eat has an impact on how you feel. If you have unhealthy eating habits, your mind and body will follow the suit. A dosha (body constitution) balanced diet also helps you in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When you eliminate processed foods, meats, dairy products, and alcohol from your daily diet, you will see the impact on your chronic pain and overall health. You can add herbs like turmeric and ginger to your diet. They are known to reduce inflammatory pain to a great extent.
Remember, Ayurvedic pain management programs are customized for each person. You will have to provide your medical history and other records to your Ayurvedic practitioner to get a customized program for your needs.
Common Ayurvedic Oils & Balms used Externally for Pain Management:
Dhanwantram oil, Sahacharadi Oil, Mahanarayan Oil, Kottamchukadi Oil, Karpooradi Oil, Murivenna Oil, Pinda Oil, Aum Joint & Muscle Balm, Flex Balm
Common Ayurvedic Herbs used for Pain Management:
Yogaraj Guggul Tablets, Kaishore Guggul Tablets, Guggultiktam Kawatham Tablets, Mahatiktam Kawatham tablets, Gandha tailam (oil)