MODERN MEDICAL & YOGA PERSPECTIVE OF ARTHRITIS

Pain in the joints is a common problem which may vary from a minor discomfort to a disabling chronic problem affecting the quality of life to a great extent. The biomedical inventions have given great mobility and functional ability for damaged joints. It is not unusual to find persons with 10 to 20 joints (small and big) replaced as and when the joints get damaged, which has helped them to live their lives in comfort. Thanks to fascinating advances in medication too, which has definitely saved an arthritic from the devastating side effects of steroids. But, have we hit the nail on its head? Have we been able to cure or prevent joint diseases? The answer is a clear ‘No’. Increasing problems of aging changes in the joints, are expected even as our life expectancy and longevity have increased all round the globe. But what about the other types of arthritidis which are hitting younger persons? Rheumatoid arthritis, a disease of temperate climates, is still an enigma as we have not been able to remove the root cause of the disease.

With the advances in technology as applied to the understanding of the disturbances at the molecular level we now have a huge fund of knowledge about the functional interrelationship between the brain, immune system, genes and all other organ systems of the body. This understanding has made us recognize the role of the mind over matter (the body) as well as the influence of cellular activities on the mind. There is an intricate feed back loop of connections that point out that many of these common disabling diseases of the joints can be traced to the life style, that triggers off the underlying family (genetic) tendencies.

Yoga with its holistic understanding of the human body mind complex provides a well developed programme of practices to set right or correct these deep internal imbalances caused by the erratic life style.

This booklet is a guide to Yoga therapists as well as patients