Paliative Management From Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, an ancient Indian Holistic medical system 'Health is happiness and disease is Pain' and it understands pain as a problem in vayu (air, one of the personality types according to ayurveda), which deals with the nervous system and any pain on the body is refered as Roga. Site of Pain (Vedana) are Mind (manas) and Body along with sense organs.

a) Causative factors of any pain are :

1. Asatmendriyarth samyoga -. It includes excessive utilization or wrong Utilization of objects of senses like vision, Sound, smell, taste and touch) Agni is responsible for proper appetite and digestion of food. Anything in excess (activity, diet, exercise etc) cause derangement in jatharagni (appetite). It is unable to digest the food. Hence undigested in the stomach and gets infected by doshas. This is Aama. This aama gets fermented producing toxins and thus acts as a poison for the body.

2. Prajnaaparadha - Misdeeds performed by an individual as a result of wrong decision taken by the mind.

3. Parinama (kala) - Any unfavourable changes in weather and time.

b) Classification of Pain are :

1. Nija Agantuja - Caused solely due to derangement of physiological disturbances.

2.Sharirik Manasik - Physiological disturbance & Psychological imbalance.

c) Pain caused solely due to derangement of three humors :

1. Vataj Vikara - Caused due to derangement of Vata dosha.

2. Pittaj Vikara - caused due to derangement of Pitta dosha.

3. Kaphaj Vikara - Caused due to derangement of Kapha dosha.

Contrary to all indications, there is a positive side to pain. It is the body's riot alarm. Without its warning signals, we would succumb to the mildest of maladies. Ayurveda imparts knowledge on individual constitution of our body and use of various herbs, minerals,proper diet, exercises, Panch Karma and Yoga therapy to treat pain and promote good health, treat pain and acquire longevity.

According to Ayurveda a holistic way of living, chronic pain is caused by doshic imbalances and is influenced by many factors like diet, digestion, toxin accumulation, stress, exercise levels and daily routine.

1) Removing the Buildup of Toxins and Impurities.

Ayurvedic herbalized oil massages helps in loosening impurities that are embedded in tissues and helps liquefy them for easy absorption into the circulation and eventual elimination of pain.

2) Proper Nutrition

Ayurveda advises a easy to digest and a satisfying and nourishing dietary approach that improves the digestion along with ayurvedic herbal formulas which helps in restoring balance to the specific functioning modes whose malfunctioning causes the chronic pain.

3) Creating Strong Digestion

Incompletely digested foods create toxins and impurities that are eventually absorbed, travel throughout the physiology, localize in tissues and disrupt their functioning leading to a chronic pain which is treated by a proper use of spices and cooking oils, by favouring digestion-enhancing foods, by reducing digestion
depressing foods.

4) Balancing Nervous System Activity

Vata imbalance is an underlying cause of the painful condition and is reversed by specific diets, herbs, cleansing programs, meditation, yoga asanas and yoga breathing exercises.

5) Stress Management

Excessive mental, emotional and physical stress can worsen the symptoms of many chronic pain. Ayurveda treats it by massage and heat treatments by yoga asana postures.

6) Lifestyle and Daily Routine

One of the most important factors for maintaining healthy functioning is to have a lifestyle that does not disturb natural bodily rhythms. Ayurveda reviews and creates a daily schedule that will increase balance in your physiology and aid in healing your body.

7) Exercise and Flexibility Education

Ayurveda advises proper stretching and flexibility exercises as it has a very positive effect on circulation, nervous system function, the body's healing response thereby treats many chronic pains.

Thus ayurveda manages the chronic pain by approaching it in the above integrated manner and its results speak for themselves.