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

Ayurvedic Treatment for Chronic Pain

We increasingly hear about friends or loved ones—especially as we age—struggling with chronic pain. Many people accept it as a normal part of aging. However, pain is not something you simply have to live with.

Chronic pain can appear in many forms:

• Generalized body pain

• Knee or hip pain

• Finger and wrist pain

• Back pain from herniated discs

• Neck pain due to cervical spondylosis or stenosis

Modern medicine assigns different names—arthritis, lupus, frozen shoulder, disc prolapse—and often manages them with painkillers or steroids.

However, Ayurveda looks beyond the label. It focuses on the root cause, including dosha imbalance, ama (toxins), and weak agni (digestive fire).

The Ayurvedic Perspective on Pain

In Ayurveda, Vata dosha plays the primary role in pain. Vata governs movement, nerve impulses, and dryness. When Vata aggravates, pain follows.

However, Vata rarely acts alone. Ayurveda always assesses associated imbalances.

Pain with Swelling or Burning

When pain includes swelling or burning—such as in rheumatoid arthritis or inflamed disc conditions—it indicates inflammation.

In such cases, treatment begins with Langhana (lightening therapies) to reduce inflammation before calming Vata.

Initially, practitioners use Rūkṣaṇa (drying therapies) such as:

• Choorna pinda sweda

• Dhanyamla dhara

If burning exists (indicating Pitta involvement), herbal pastes (lepa) help cool and calm the area.

Once inflammation reduces, oil-based therapies such as abhyanga and patra pottali sweda restore lubrication and relieve pain.

Degenerative Pain Without Swelling

When pain appears without swelling or heat—as in osteoporosis or age-related degeneration—it is called Kevala Vata (pure Vata disorder).

In this case, treatment focuses on Brimhana (nourishing therapies). Oil therapies and rice bolus treatments begin immediately to strengthen tissues.

After balance returns, rejuvenative herbs support long-term joint and bone health.

For chronic cases, Panchakarma provides deeper detoxification and correction.

The Gut–Pain Connection

Ayurveda strongly links gut health to chronic pain.

Most people with long-term pain also struggle with constipation, bloating, or weak digestion. When agni weakens, ama accumulates. Over time, toxins increase inflammation and worsen pain.

Therefore, treating the gut becomes essential. When digestion improves, pain often reduces naturally.

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.