Pain Management with Ayurveda
Each year, more people see Ayurvedic doctors because of pain than any other condition. The most common variety of pain affecting every age bracket is muscular pain. While Western medicine often resort to prescribing excessive amounts of medication to deal with pain, this is often not the most effective means of pain management.
Causes of Pain
Treating pain with Ayurveda requires a knowledge of what Ayurveda understands pain to be. Ayurveda recognises that the primary cause of pain is imbalance in the doshas. Specifically, pain is often the result of the vata dosha being aggravated, leading to internal imbalance and, subsequently, pain. Ayurveda also considers the accumulation of toxins within the body to be a means of catalysing pain. These toxins accumulate in the muscles, joints and ligaments, leading to a reduction in oxygen supply in the body. As vital areas of the body are now being deprived of oxygen, the body becomes tense, leading to pain.
Pain for each body type
Each body type may experience different kinds of pain, and different causes of pain.
- Vata: Vata body types often experience pain which is characterised by throbbing and fluctuations in intensity. As Vata levels are aggravated by exposure to cold, Vata pain can often become aggravated in cold climates, or after consuming cold foods or beverages. Dry skin, stiff joins, anxiety and intestinal problems are all common symptoms of Vata pain.
- Pitta: Those with the Pitta body type usually experience burning pain, which is accompanied by redness and swelling. In contrast to Vata, Pitta pain is usually aggravated in the heat, and may be characterised by fever, diarrhoea and irritability.
- Kapha: Kapha body types are often subject to stiff pain, which may also feature swelling. Cold and wet weather aggravates pain in Kapha body types, and other symptoms may include oil secretion and heaviness.
Treating Pain
Dr. Deepak Chopra, a prominent authority on Ayurveda, has stated that pain is “a mind-body experience that’s highly subjective”. Ayurveda recognises that the mind and positive thinking both have vital roles in pain relief. We recommend booking a consultation with one of our in-house Ayurvedic doctors, as they will be able to advise you of the most effective herbal prescription for your needs, helping you to remain calm and positive throughout the process of pain relief. In this session, the doctor may also suggest a detox program or specific lifestyle adjustments which may suit your individual needs.
We also recommend our massage treatments for effective pain relief. Our treatments are customised to your unique requirements and have been perfected over centuries of Ayurvedic practice. Specifically we recommend the following treatments:
- Abhyanga: This therapy uses herbal oils prescribed to your individual needs, which penetrate into the skin and help to relieve and separate impurities. Abhyanga helps to promote proper circulation while relaxing the entire body, so is ideal for pain relief.
- Pizzichil: In this treatment, your therapist pours two litres of herbal oil all over the body, giving the ultimate experience of relaxation. As the oil penetrates into the skin, imperfections and blockages as mobilised and softened, relieving pain in the process.
For more information, or to book a treatment, visit our website or call us on (02) 9389 2581
