osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis
Overview
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, where flexible tissues of the bone at the end of the bones wears down.
Types of Arthritis
There are actually two types of Osteoarthritis primary and secondary.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of arthritis in most types of arthritis are inflammation, pain, stiffness, decreased range of motion, muscle weakness, fatigue and bony outgrowths also known as osteophytes.
Causes
The causes of arthritis are varied. Some common causes are wear and tear of joints due to overuse, faulty postures over the years, degeneration, genes or family history, weakness of the muscles, injury, abnormal metabolism or immune system dysfunction.
Risk factors
Several factors are responsible for increasing the risk factors for osteoarthritis. Metabolic disorders, genetic/ family history, bone deformities, joint injuries along with prolonged stress on joints. Years of poor postures also increases the risk of osteoarthritis.
Women are more proned to arthritis post menopause due to hormonal changes and bone loss.
Prevention
As the old saying goes “Prevention is better than cure “. The several ways by which we can prevent the onset of osteoarthritis are:
- Cultivate good postural habits right from childhood.
- Avoid/treat obesity.
- Keep a check on your diet. Your body should always be alkaline.
- Cultivate good stride, and avoid high heeled footwear.
- Dont ignore injury to joints.
- Get the correct kind of nutrition.
- Exercise regularly, but don’t punish your weight bearing joints like the knee joint.
Treatment
There are several ways of treating osteoarthritis. It was said that as the joint cartilage dehydrates, degeneration happens more easily subject to friction from movements. Glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate when used together bring about rehydration and later regeneration of joint cartilages.
Osteoarthritis is also treated through injections.
Natural treatment of osteoarthritis includes correcting and maintaining correct postures while sleeping, walking, sitting etc. acupressure and acupuncture. Kumbhak therapy for relieving inflammation and pain factors. In case of 1st and 2nd stage osteoarthritis, medical yoga, pranayama, diet etc, can help in pain and inflammation thereby improving the quality of life.
Kumbhak in treating Osteoarthritis
Inflammation in osteoarthritis happens for two reasons either there is injury or there is accumulation of toxins. The most toxic agent that creates toxicity in the body is chemicals. Chemicals are taken by way of medicines. Inflammation increases by anything externally put in the body. Medicine and operation are not the solution for this. To reduce the inflammation, we have to improve the liver strength, the detoxification factors and hydrate the body. Pain will reduce and the regenerative factors will increase in the body.
This can be attained only through the body’s own breath holding mechanism kumbhak. Through kumbhak therapy osteoarthritis is curable.