Arthritis and Beyond: Ayurveda for All Types of Pain—From Joints to Spine

We are increasingly hearing about friends or loved ones—especially as we age—struggling with some form of chronic pain. Many resign themselves to living with it, believing it is simply part of growing older.

The pain can vary widely:

• Generalized pain throughout the body
• Pain in large joints like the knees or hips
• Pain in small joints like the fingers and wrists
• Back pain from herniated discs, increasingly common among those with desk jobs or heavy lifting
• Neck pain linked to cervical stenosis or spondylosis, often seen in people who spend long hours on computers.

Whether it’s frozen shoulder, arthritis, lupus, or spinal conditions—modern medicine assigns different names and often relies on painkillers or steroids for management.

But Ayurveda approaches pain through a different lens—focusing on underlying dosha imbalances, as well as deeper factors like ama (toxins) and agni (digestive fire)—rather than just the disease label.

The Ayurvedic Perspective on Pain

In Ayurveda, all types of pain are connected to Vata dosha imbalance. Vata governs movement, nerve impulses, and dryness in the body. When it becomes aggravated, pain naturally follows.

But Vata is rarely acting alone. Ayurveda looks deeper:

• Pain with swelling and/or burning (as in rheumatoid arthritis, frozen shoulder, cervical spondylosis, herniated disc, or lupus) indicates inflammation. The first step here is to reduce inflammation with Langhana—lightening or reducing therapies—before calming Vata.
• Therapies are always combined with herbs for faster and better results. Initially, Rūkṣaṇa (drying therapies) such as choorna pinda sweda or dhanyamla dhara are used to reduce swelling. If burning is present (indicating Pitta involvement), herbal pastes (lepa) with Pitta-pacifying powders are applied.
• Once swelling and inflammation subside, oil-based therapies like abhyanga and patra pottali sweda are introduced, using dosha-specific pain-relieving oils.

When pain is purely degenerative with no swelling or heat (such as in osteoporosis or age-related degeneration), it is called Kevala Vata—a pure Vata disorder. Here, the focus shifts to Brimhana—nourishing therapies that rebuild and strengthen tissues. Oil therapies such as patra pottali sweda or rice bolus treatments can be started from the beginning.

Once balance is restored, Ayurveda recommends rejuvenative herbs and therapies to strengthen bones, muscles, and joints, ensuring long-term relief.

There is a caveat: if the problem is chronic, the best approach is Panchakarma. [See the blog on Panchakarma]

The Gut–Pain Connection

Ayurveda always emphasizes the gut in pain management. It is rare to find someone with chronic pain who does not also have digestive issues. Years of constipation, weak Agni (digestive fire), and toxin buildup (ama) contribute to inflammation and worsening pain. By restoring gut health alongside local therapies, Ayurveda addresses pain at its root. [See the blog on Agni]

What Can Be Done at Home?

Usually, guidance from an Ayurvedic practitioner is best, but a few simple steps can be done at home:

Do not use oil initially.

If there is swelling accompanied with heaviness, and morning stiffness (where pain improves with movement as the day progresses):

• Try fasting – eating light, easily digestive food for a few days.
• Make a potli (herbal bundle) using Valuka(sand), mustard seeds, hing, lasuna, ajwain, moringa.  Warm the potli on an iron skillet and gently press it over the swollen area.
• CAUTION – Swelling can be without the heaviness in the joints, or there is burning, then the above home therapy will aggravate the pain so it is best to see an Ayurvedic practitioner to assess which dosha is more prominent in the swelling.If burning is present or if you are prone to acidity, rashes, or other Pitta imbalance symptoms elsewhere:
  • Avoid hot potli treatments.
  • Instead, apply lepana (herbal pastes) using Pitta-pacifying herbs like vetiver and neem powder. Moringa can be added in small amounts, though caution is needed as it is also heating. In such cases, it’s best to consult a practitioner.
• Mini Purgation for Gut- Pain axis:
  • Every 3rd day, do mini pugration in the morning  with Castor oil tbsp + dry ginger powder 1/4tsp + milk 1/2cup. Ideally purgation will start after 7-8 hours.
  • It will help relieve pain, clear toxins, and ease constipation.Always address gut health:
  • Chronic constipation and poor digestion aggravate Apana Vata (the sub-dosha governing the pelvic region), which worsens pain.
  • Correcting digestion and bowel regularity is often the missing link in long-term pain relief. [See the purgation ingredients above]

• Once swelling reduces:
  • Begin gentle oil massage using warm sesame oil with long downward strokes and circular motions on the joints.

Stronger medicated oils such as Sahacharadi, maharasanadi, Prasarnyadi, etc are very effective but should be used under professional guidance as different oils are effective for different doshas and different tissues.

Pain does not have to be a lifelong companion. By reducing inflammation, balancing Vata, strengthening tissues, and restoring digestive health, Ayurveda provides a roadmap for true healing—not just temporary suppression of symptoms.

As Charaka Samhita beautifully states:
“Rogāḥ sarve api mandāgnau.”
“All diseases arise from impaired digestive fire.”

This timeless principle reminds us that whether it is arthritis, back pain, or simple joint stiffness, healing begins with restoring Agni, balancing the doshas, and nourishing the body from within.

Simmi Chopra is a highly accomplished Ayurvedic Practitioner with a unique blend of expertise in traditional Ayurveda and modern science. Trained in the ancient healing system, she completed the prestigious Ayurveda Doctor program from Kerala Ayurveda. Based in New York City, Simmi practices at SIDH Ayur, where she offers personalized Ayurvedic therapies, dietary guidance, lifestyle recommendations, and herbal solutions to help clients achieve holistic balance.