Pain Management in Ayurveda 🩹

The search for effective pain management has shown few promising results. For years doctors have been prescribing pain pills that only mask the pain and do nothing for the actual issues causing that pain. However, as more people look for natural alternatives for pain relief and management, there seems to be hope on the horizon. Ayurvedic medicine is one ancient and natural system of healthcare that has shown promise. But, since every pain is different and every person’s body is unique, it’s important to understand how Ayurveda works for pain management.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda, if you’re not familiar, is a medical system that’s been used for over 5,000 years. It is still the major medical practice in India, with many people preferring it over traditional medicine. The central tenets of Ayurvedic Medicine involve a natural approach to healing. Essentially, the idea is to assist the body in healing itself through stress-reduction, exercise, diet, and products made mostly from plants.

While the central tenets are similar throughout this medicinal practice, there are varied philosophies and opinions, much like in the field of modern medicine. Fortunately, recent studies have found many Ayurvedic practices to be safe— sometimes even safer than modern medicinal practices.

Ayurvedic Practices in Modern Medicine

You’ll notice some overlap with Ayurveda and other modern practices such as Chiropractic care. It’s not uncommon to find Ayurvedic practitioners utilizing massage, stretching and exercises (like yoga), hot and cold therapy, and diet to help their patients manage or eliminate pain.

Chiropractors likewise use all these, and other natural practices, to view and treat the body as a whole. There are many facts about chiropractic care of which many people are unaware.

While not exactly the same, there are similar practices in modern medicine that may have ties to Ayurvedic medicine. These practices are used because they tend to work well and they’re much safer than other modern alternatives.

Treating the Cause, Not the Symptoms

The reason these practices have survived so long is that they work to actually treat the cause of the pain instead of the symptoms. Of course, some causes of chronic pain cannot easily be treated, but many can. When there is little to no risk involved, as is the case with many Ayurvedic practices, it’s worth considering these natural treatment options for pain management.

Exercise and Yoga

Yoga and Ayurveda often go hand in hand. The practices of each complement each other and help the body function in unison. Yoga serves to relieve stress, strengthen muscles, and promote a healthy posture and body, while Ayurveda can help to improve digestion, flush toxins, boost your immune system, and help you sleep better.

Dietary Changes

One of the central philosophies of Ayurvedic medicine involves how and what you eat. Different mind and body types should eat certain foods to help manage weight, stay healthy, boost energy, and reduce stress. Here are a few helpful Ayurvedic dietary tips you can adopt immediately:

• Add herbs and spices to your food (turmeric is one of the best spices you can use, as it’s known to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.)
• Eat local whole foods that are grown seasonally. Eat cool, hydrating foods in the summer, light foods in the spring, and warming foods in the winter.
• Use oils such as ghee to aid in healthy digestion.
• Chew your food well, eat slowly, and savor every bite.

These are just a few tips. Click the link for more about Ayurvedic eating.

Stress and Energy

When you adopt practices to mindfully replenish your energy, you arm yourself with the tools to handle stress, both in the mind and body. It’s no secret that stress can cause some serious physical and mental issues, which is why Ayurvedic medicine aims at making the body and mind resilient with these tips and practices:

• Eat healthy, non-processed, and non-sugary foods.
• Participate in moderate exercise (like yoga) on a regular basis.
• Give yourself time to rest and recharge.
• Make time for some form of nature or art that you love (hiking, swimming, listening to music, visiting a museum, sitting outside listening to the birds and the wind).
• Spend time with your loved ones.
• Get enough sleep (7 to 9 hours for healthy adults).

Conclusion

All pain is different and there’s no blanket cure that’s going to work for everyone, but practicing a healthy lifestyle is a big step in the right direction. It’s ultimately up to you what route you take to manage your pain, and we hope this post has given you some key information so you can make an informed decision.

Resources:

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ayurvedic-medicine-in-depth
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3087360/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ayurvedic-diet

Dr. Brent Wells founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab in Alaska in 1998. He is currently leading 10,000 Alaskans to more active and pain-free lifestyles without drugs or invasive surgeries. He brings a progressive and highly innovative approach to chiropractic care in Alaska. Dr. Wells continues to further his education with ongoing studies in spine conditions, neurology, physical rehabilitation, biomechanics, occupational ergonomics, whiplash, and brain injury traumatology. He is also a member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians.

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