Osteoarthritis Ayurveda: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive breakdown of articular cartilage, joint space narrowing, bony remodeling and stiffness. Commonly affects knees, hips, hands and spine and presents with pain during activity, morning stiffness (usually brief), reduced range of motion and crepitus.

Ayurvedic Strategy for Osteoarthritis

Our clinic focuses on a combined approach that targets local joint health, reduces pain/inflammation, nourishes cartilage and improves mobility:

• Local nourishment & lubrication: Vasti techniques (Janu Vasti, Kati Vasti), medicated oils and Janu-specific therapies to nourish cartilage and synovium.
• Tissue rejuvenation: Njavara Kizhi, Abhyanga and oil baths promote tissue healing and reduce stiffness.
• Breaking adhesions & mobility: Churn/Patra potli and carefully dosed Swedan improve flexibility and reduce peri-articular fibrosis.
• Metabolic support & anti-inflammatory herbs: Tailored oral herbal support (Guggulu, Shallaki, Turmeric) and diet to reduce progression.

Therapies We Use for Osteoarthritis (with reference photos)

Below are the specific therapies offered in-clinic that are particularly useful for osteoarthritis (knee/hip/spine/hand). Each entry includes a therapy photo for reference and practical details.

Abhyanga

What it is: Warm, full-body herbal oil massage tuned to the individual's constitution and joint needs.

• Deeply hydrates tissues and synovial membranes, improving joint lubrication.
• Reduces muscle spasm, improves peri-articular circulation and eases pain.
• Helps remove superficial toxins and prepares the body for localized therapies.
• Typical use: Daily or alternate-day during intensive phase, then maintenance 1–2x week.

Njavara Kizhi

What it is: Warm boluses of Njavara (medicinal rice) cooked in herbal decoctions and applied rhythmically to joints.

• Powerful for nourishing muscle and joint tissues; ideal for chronic OA with stiffness.
• Reduces Vata-related dryness and improves local circulation and mobility.
• Supports tissue repair and decreases pain over repeated courses.

Janu Vasti (Knee Oil Retention)

What it is: Warm medicated oil is retained over the knee using a dough ring for a fixed period.

• Directly nourishes the knee joint, soft tissues and cartilage.
• Reduces stiffness, swelling and pain; improves range of motion.
• Often used as a targeted therapy in knee OA cycles (repeat sessions over weeks).

Kati Vasti

What it is: Medicated oil retained on the lower back within a dough boundary to deeply nourish spinal tissues.

• Excellent for OA of the lumbar spine — reduces deep muscular and facet joint pain.
• Improves flexibility, reduces nerve irritation and supports disc health when combined with other treatments.

Churn Potli (Powder Bolus)

What it is: Heated boluses of powdered herbs applied with rhythmic pressure to affected joints.

• Applies dry heat and mechanical stimulation to break soft adhesions around joints.
• Helps reduce stiffness and improves peri-articular mobility.
• Often combined with Abhyanga and Swedan for best results.

Lepam (Topical Herbal Paste)

What it is: Medicinal herbal paste applied to joints after cleansing and oiling.

• Soothes inflamed joint surfaces, cools and reduces pain.
• Particularly useful after heat and oil therapies to lock in benefit and speed recovery.

Swedan / Nadi Swedan (Herbal Steam)

What it is: Whole-body or localized steam that warms tissues and promotes mobility.

• Helps relax muscles, improve joint range and increase absorption of topical oils.
• Localized Nadi Swedan is used for specific joints (knees, shoulders) with focused steam.

Herbal & Nutritional Support

Along with in-clinic therapies, we provide individualized oral herbal programs and nutraceutical guidance aimed at symptom control and tissue support:

Doses and combinations are personalized based on patient age, comorbidities and concomitant medications (we coordinate with conventional care).

Diet, Exercise & Lifestyle for Osteoarthritis

• Diet: Emphasize cooked, warm meals that are easy to digest (vegetables, millets, rice), include anti-inflammatory spices (turmeric, ginger), adequate proteins for tissue repair, and avoid excessive processed foods and refined sugars.
• Weight management: Reducing body weight decreases joint load especially for knee and hip Osteoarthritis — combine diet with Udvartana, exercise and lifestyle changes.
• Exercise: Low-impact strengthening (physiotherapy-guided quadriceps strengthening for knee Osteoarthritis), gentle yoga and mobility exercises to maintain range of motion.
• Joint care: Use heat packs, avoid repetitive heavy loading, ensure ergonomic modifications at home/work.

Sample Clinic Plans for Osteoarthritis

Individualization is key — plans are adjusted for severity, comorbidities and response to therapy.

Quick Reference