We at Sreeragam Ayurveda Health retreat provide the best Rheumatoid arthritis treatment in Kochi, Kerala. We have treated more than 150 patients of Rheumatoid arthritis in the past 7 years with 30-50% positive changes in 120 patients within 21-28 days of treatment. Rheumatoid arthritis patients were asked to follow oral medication and strict lifestyle after their discharge from our Ayurveda centre which helps them lead a normal life without pain. Patients can expect reduction in pain and swelling within 14-21 days of treatment, further progress can be seen due to the stabilization of the immune system of the body as a result of the continuous treatment. It is very important for the body’s immune system to function optimally in case of a Rheumatoid arthritis patient, why?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease and in such conditions patient’s immune system attacks the body's own healthy tissues leading to inflammation in the affected area. In Rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, impairing its functionality and putting the pressure on the ligament and muscles surrounding the joint. This extra function leads to the wear and tear of the ligaments which is why most of the patient see a loss of muscle mass while suffering with Rheumatoid arthritis
Why can we see deformed joints in the case of Rheumatoid arthritis patients?
Our immune system is responsible for the recovery of any damage of the tissue or creating new tissues or cells. Once the immune system starts malfunctioning, the regeneration process or the recovery process will not function as normal. Hence, in case of Rheumatoid arthritis where there is wear & tear of muscle, ligaments and the immune system is damaging the lining of the joints, there is no support available for the degrading joint structure or any recovery process. Due to the pressure of performing the joint function, the joint structure starts adjusting itself hence finally getting jammed at a certain point which is different than its normal position. This shift of position of the structure of the joint is seen as a deformity from outside.

Understanding Rheumatoid arthritis (Ayurvedic view)

In Ayurveda, Rheumatoid arthritis can be correlated to Amavata, which is the vitiation of Vata Dosha and accumulation of Ama, taking place in the lining of joints. Ama is a known as the undigested product, which is not homogeneous for the body and whenever Ama gets accumulated in the body tissue or joints, it can lead to production of pain, stiffness, swelling, tenderness, etc. This accumulation will affect the tissue metabolism and hence affect the functioning of the joint, when this phenomenon affects the joints, it is known as “Amavata”.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis

1. Tender and swollen joints
2. Joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity
3. Fatigue
4. Fever
5. Loss of appetite
6. Redness around the affected joints
7. Morning sickness

Causes of Rheumatoid arthritis

The cause of Rheumatoid arthritis is not known exactly but there are a few factors that might increase the chances of Rheumatoid arthritis in your body:

1. Family history: There is evidence of autoimmune conditions running in families as a hereditary problem. While your genes don't actually cause rheumatoid arthritis but they can make you more susceptible to infection with certain viruses,bacteria which can trigger the disease.
2. Age: As the body ages, toxins in our body tends to accumulate leading to hindrance with the metabolism which sometimes can lead to Rheumatoid arthritis
3. Smoking. Cigarette has a lot of chemical other than tobacco which when mixed in our blood can start accumulating toxins hindering with the metabolism of the body hence leading to rheumatoid arthritis
4. Obesity: Obesity itself can be a sign of malfunctioning metabolism hence increasing the chances of rheumatoid arthritis.

Ayurveda believes that stress, irregular sleep pattern, cold storage food items, past history of diseases like dengue etc can be also one of the factors leading to rheumatoid arthritis.

Complications associated with Rheumatoid arthritis

Ayurveda classifies rheumatoid arthritis in the category of Amavata and any disease which can be related to amavata can be a complication associated with rheumatoid arthritis. A patient suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis also has increased risk of developing:

1. Osteoporosis
2. Rheumatoid nodules
3. Regular Infections
4. Abnormal body composition
5. Carpal tunnel syndrome
6. Heart problems
7. Lung disease
8. Lymphoma

Ayurvedic treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis at Sreeragam Ayurveda Health retreat

Initial goal of treatment is to alleviate the joint pain and swelling which will help improve the patient’s ability to perform day to day activities. Slowly patients can go to their normal life while continuing the Ayurveda medicine for Rheumatoid arthritis which will lead the patient to complete cure. The duration of the Rheumatoid arthritis treatment is explained during the physical condition, it is dependent on the patient's body type and condition but it may range from 6 month to 2 years.
We consider patient education about very important during our initial consultation as it will help the patients in keeping a positive attitude towards the Rheumatoid arthritis treatment and support our doctors since the start. This activity increases the chances of treatment by 40% by avoiding medical adherence and mixing other treatments which can harm the progress.
The ayurvedic drugs given to a patient of Rheumatoid Arthritis will help in improving the condition of the patient as they are Vata-Kapha Dosha Hara and Amapachaka. The drugs used in management of Amavata should:

1. Possess pungent and bitter taste
2. Be hot in potency
3. Be easily digestible
4. Have penetrating property through tissues

In-patient Rheumatoid arthritis treatment regime

1. Ayurvedic drugs and herbs: Rasnapanchakam kashayam, Rasnasaptakam kashayam,            Guggulutiktakam kashayam, Tiktakam ghritham, Gandha tailam,Bala taila etc.
2. External procedures: Choornakizhi, Njavarakizhi, Abhyanga, Snehapana, Swedana, Virechana, Vasti etc.
3. Lifestyle changes: Changing food habits, Sleeping pattern, exercise routine etc.

Post in-patient Rheumatoid arthritis treatment regime

Oral medication along with lifestyle changes are suggested to the patients and they need to update the changes in their condition through consultation in every 15-30 days.

Overall timeline of Rheumatoid arthritis treatment and expected results

1. 7-12 days - Detoxification treatment would be given to improve the metabolism and restore the immune system by reducing the foreign toxic elements from the body.
2. 7-14 days- Treatment will be administered locally to restore the damage of wear and tear present in the joint structure hence reducing the inflammation around the affected area.
3. 7-14 days-Treatment will be given to nourish the joints in order to restore the damage in joints through various external therapies and ayurvedic medicines.

(Parallelly) 3-7 days- Slow and gentle exercises such as stretching, walking will be monitored to boost muscle strength.
Hence making the timeline of the rheumatoid arthritis treatment to be around 21-35 days in general whereas any of the above timeline can be extended as per the requirement. Meditation is practised on a daily basis to reduce mental stress and the depression patients might be facing due to the inability caused by the condition.

Modern medicine vs Ayurveda for Rheumatoid arthritis treatment

Modern medicine doctors suggest medicine like Anti-inflammatory drugs, Steroids, etc for the Rheumatoid arthritis treatment which suppresses the immune system of the body. Suppressing the immune system leaves the damaged joints as it is, this joint will now incur more wear and tear when in use. By suppressing immune system, we are prone to permanent damage of joints which will be accompanied by other side effects of the drugs which in case of steroids is very high
External therapies and oral ayurvedic medicine are given for Rheumatoid arthritis treatment to reduce inflammation, increase detoxification rate and balance the immune system. This whole process altogether comprises the best Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment which has the potential to provide complete cure with faster recovery process.

1. When the immune system starts attacking the body in Rheumatoid arthritis, smaller joints are affected the most and this stage is commonly called as the early stage of Rheumatoid arthritis. Ayurvedic treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis can completely cure Rheumatoid arthritis in the early stage within 6-12 months by correcting the immune system and providing nutrition to the joints internally.  
2. With the progression of Rheumatoid arthritis in the patients, damage in joints can be observed in bigger joints of the body causing pain throughout the body. Ayurvedic treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis can treat the damage and start restoring the immunity of the body whereas the chances of complete cure depend on the amount of damage in the joints.
3. The lining of the joints is completely damaged leading to deformities which is an incurable or irreversible stage of Rheumatoid arthritis commonly called as the last stage of Rheumatoid arthritis. Ayurvedic treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis can treat the temporary damage around the joint and restore the immunity of the body but the treatment of permanent damage to provide complete cure is doubtful and cannot be promised. Patients will be able to improve the quality of life but should not expect a complete cure.

Frequently asked question regarding Rheumatoid arthritis treatment (FAQ)

What is the diet we can follow to reduce Rheumatoid arthritis?

Patient of rheumatoid arthritis can try the following:

1. Unprocessed rice, barley, Bengal gram, horse gram etc.
2. Drum stick, ginger, garlic, Bitter gourd, Pointed gourd, reddish etc.
3. Buttermilk
4. Drinking boiled water at a lukewarm temperature

What should Rheumatoid arthritis patients avoid?

Patient of rheumatoid arthritis should avoid the following:

1. Heavy to digest food like red meat, cottage cheese, cheese, milk
2. Curd, black gram, raw sugar etc.
3. Cold contaminated water
4. Suppression of natural urges such as Belching, farting, defecation etc.
5. Heavy exercise and excessive walking