Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder including inflammation of the one or more joints of our body. Here the immune cells attacking healthy cells and destroys the normal function of it.
In this condition there will be pain with swelling of the joints and restricted movement with stiffness. High risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis are family history of RA, stress and improper lifestyle
Case of rheumatoid arthritis at VHG
We had a female patient aged 51 years from Orissa visit VHG with complaints of pain in the interphalangeal joints, both the elbow joints and in the knee joints. Her joints were deformed and her gait was completely altered. Knee was flexed and therefore she was unable to walk normally. Patient was stressed and worried with her pain and her inability to do her day's activities. She used to manage her pain temporarily with some pain killers for many years and was very depressed.
Treatment at VHG
First line of treatment the patient underwent was external therapies which included Acupuncture, Sarvanga podikizhi (fomentation with medicated powders) and yoga therapy for a period of 10 days along with oral Ayurveda medicines.
Later she was administered internal cleansing treatment of virechana after the body was prepared with deepana and pachana. Patient was administered 5 days of snehapana, 3 days of sarvanga abhyanga and swedana, followed by virechana (purgation).
A yoga basti combination of retention and eliminating enema was given for 8 days with ekanga elakizhi (Patra potala swedam- fomentation with herbs).
Pre and Post assessments
Visual analogue scale was used to assess her pain before and after the treatment. Visual analogue scale (VAS) is one of the pain rating scales. Numerical rating scale is the most commonly used rating scale in VAS where 0 represents no pain and 10 is the worst pain. The RA Factor and C-Reactive Protein before and after the treatment were also recorded.
RA Factor is a protein produced by the immune system which attacks the normal cells of our body. Less than 15 IU/ml considered as a normal value of RA factor
C-Reactive protein is a protein made by the liver. 0.3 to 1 mg/dl considered as within the normal range of CRP.
CRP will be high in blood when people suffer from the inflammation of joints and pain.
| VAS | RA Factor | C-Reactive Protein | |
| Pre treatment | 10 | 48.5 IU / L | 65.2 Mg / dl |
| Post treatment | 5 | 48.5 IU / L | 39.95 Mg / dl |
| Present with yoga and oral ayurvedic medicines ( after 2 months of treatment) | 3 | 34.64 IU / L | 39.95 Mg / dl |
Range of motion
| Right elbow flexion | Left elbow flexion | Right knee extension | Left knee extension | |
| Pre treatment | 90 Degree | 80 Degree | 50 Degree | 65 Degree |
| Post treatment | 100 Degree | 100 Degree | 40 Degree | 50 Degree |
Conclusion:
Integrative approach including Ayurveda, Acupuncture and Yoga therapy significantly improved pain, stiffness and mobility in Rheumatoid arthritis along with flexion and extension of interphalangeal joints
