According to Ayurveda, a holistic way of living, Oestoarthritis, a chronic degenerative disease affecting the cartilages of joints can be treated by Panchakarma. It stops future deterioration of the joints and helps to rejunevate the damaged joints by normalizing the vitiated doshas.

It is Detoxification therapy which first aims to loosen and mobilise the accumulated toxins which is achieved by both internal and external oleation using herbal oils and steam. Appropriate procedures are then used to eliminate these toxins resulting in the rejunevated tissues Then the cell tissues are treated with nourishing diet and ayurvedic herbal formulas to strengthen the muscles and boost the immunity.

Pre-purification therapies like snehapanam, swedhanam loosens the toxins and makes the body ready for eliminating the wastes. Main purification therapy like vasti and virechanam are used to eliminate the toxins that are loosened in the earlier stage.

a) Snehapanam - Two types of this are accha and vicharana. In Accha snehapanam

A specially prepared medicated ghee is administered in empty stomach. The dosage is given up to seven days according to the patients condition and climate. It is increased proportion to the signs of the optimum condition felt. This helps to lubricate all the body channels and elimate the toxins.

b) Swedanam - Here fomentation is done with the medicated decocation vapours and is applied to the affected areas with rubber tube. In Upanaha sweda, substances like salt, oil, herbs are cooked. It is then bundled and then applied firmly to the affected joints while hot.

c) Virechanam - Then it is followed by Virechanam which is a method of purgation by oral intake of herbal formulas. In this the toxins found in gastro intestinal tract are flushed out through anal route.

To mention few other treatments for OE are

** Elakizhi - Body is applied in blouses with hot medicated oils.

** Njavarakizhi - A body massage in blouses with highly nutritious rice along with herbs.

** Pizichil - Massaging the body with a continuous pouring of medicated oils.

** Dhara - (Thakra Dhara & Ksheera Dhara) - Herbal oils and medicated butter oils are poured in the forehead.