Home / Specialities / Knee Pain & Arthritis
Joint care
Ayurvedic treatment for knee pain and arthritis in Ramamurthy Nagar
Stiff, painful or creaking knees make every staircase harder. Our physicians look at the cause, not just the pain, and plan medicines, therapies and daily habits around you.
Signs to look out for
- Pain when climbing stairs, squatting or getting up from a chair
- Stiffness in the morning or after sitting for a while
- Crackling or grinding sounds (crepitus) when the knee bends
- Swelling, warmth or tenderness around the joint
- Reduced bending, or a knee that feels unstable
- Pain in several joints on both sides, with morning stiffness lasting over half an hour (common in rheumatoid arthritis)
How Ayurveda understands joint pain
Ayurveda describes wear-and-tear arthritis of the knee as Sandhigata Vata: Vata, the dosha of movement and dryness, builds up in the joint and the cushioning tissues thin out. Inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis is described as Amavata, where poorly digested matter (ama) and Vata together lodge in the joints, and gout is described as Vatarakta. Telling these apart matters, because the approach for each is different.
How we treat it at AyurRemedy
Your physician first takes a detailed history and examines the joint, and reviews any X-ray, MRI or blood reports you have. Depending on the type and stage, your plan may include:
- Internal medicines from our in-house Ayurvedic pharmacy
- Local oil therapies: warm medicated oil held over the joint in a dough ring (Kati Vasti, and Janu Vasti for the knee), Abhyanga and herbal-bolus sweating (Patra Pinda Sweda, Elakizhi)
- Agnikarma, a short heat procedure on the most painful points, for localised pain
- Lepam, medicated herbal pastes for swelling
- Panchakarma, such as Vasti, when the condition calls for deeper cleansing
- Diet, weight and exercise advice: what to eat, what to avoid, and gentle strengthening for the muscles around the knee
Ayurvedic care can be taken alongside the medicines your orthopaedic doctor prescribes. Tell us about everything you take, and do not stop any medicine without talking to your doctor.
Who will see you
- Dr Harshitha Rai, BAMS, MD, PhD (Ayu): osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Dr Rasmi Johnson, BAMS, MS (Shalya Tantra): Agnikarma and para-surgical care for joint pain
Before your first visit, read what to expect at your first consultation.
Watch: a short video from our doctors
Joints0:48
Joints0:37See a doctor urgently if
Questions patients ask
Can Ayurveda help with knee osteoarthritis?
Many people with osteoarthritis use Ayurvedic medicines, local oil therapies such as Janu Vasti, and diet and exercise changes to manage pain and stiffness. How much it helps depends on the stage of the arthritis and your general health; your physician will explain what to expect after examining you.
How many sessions of Janu Vasti or Kati Vasti will I need?
It depends on your condition. Local oil therapies are usually given as a course over several consecutive days, and your physician will suggest the number of sessions after your consultation.
Should I stop my painkillers or arthritis medicines?
No. Do not stop or change any prescribed medicine on your own. Bring a list of everything you take to your consultation and your physician will plan Ayurvedic care around it.
Do you treat rheumatoid arthritis and gout as well?
Yes. Our physicians see rheumatoid arthritis (Amavata), gout (Vatarakta) and other joint conditions. The approach differs from wear-and-tear arthritis, so a proper diagnosis comes first.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Every person is different and results vary; your physician will explain what is suitable for you. See our medical disclaimer. Related: back pain and sciatica, why knees crack, classical treatments.