|
|
|
|
Greetings! Our joints take a pounding in various ways. Joint issues primarily result from ama (toxin) build-up and on occassion injury or genetic predisposition. Just as we floss our teeth for oral health, we must keep our joints clean for well functioning and pain free joints to carry us through a lifetime. Ayurveda is well known for prevention capacities. So even if you have no joint issues right now, the present moment is a good time to start taking care of your precious joints. And if you currently have joint limitations or pain, Ayurveda offers treatments that go beyond pain management, which characterizes many western medicine practices, to offer healing at the source of the problem. |
|
|
Arthritis, in its various forms, is on the rise and yet "remains a medical mystery" according to Naturopath and prolific researcher/author Case Adams. Although Western medicine has come forward with pain management approaches for arthritis, the condition itself has not been curtailed or reversed. We need a new perspective. Interesting how a new perspective can come from Ayurveda with ancient roots.
Arthritis is characterized by stiffness, inflammation, pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes incapacity of basic function. The word arthritis derives from the Greek word "anthron" for joint and "itis" for inflammation. According to the Arthritis Foundations about 21% of adults have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis and about half of the adults over age 65 have received the diagnosis. 300,000 youngsters (under 18) have the diagnosis and arth  ritis is now the second-most diagnosed illness in the U.S. In this issue you can learn a little more about how your joints work, what they need, and how to maintain lifelong joint health. Joint health is something for all of us to attend to. Live with radiant intention and be well! Rhonda |
Ayurveda and Western Medicine View of Arthritis
Both Western and Ayurvedic views tend to have similar understandings of the conditions of osteoarthritis (most common form) for instance: - Articular cartilage thins
- Subcondral bone ends thicken and begin to rub
- Gaps and cracks appear in the cartilage allowing the synovial fluid to leak
- Fibrin (tough fibrous protein involved in blood clotting) builds up and stimulates immune system responses to protect and heal the area
- Result is pain, inflammation, stiffness, redness, swelling and other symptoms meant to be temporary immune system responses.
- As the system breaks down, shards of cartilage may appear exasperating the condition.
Now here is where understandings differ. Typically Western medicine considers that arthritis is caused by inflammation around the synovial membrane from joint cartilage breakdown through wear and tear over time. The Western view holds that rheumatoid arthritis, is an autoimmune disorder--in other words--the immune system is fighting good cells instead of bad (confusing self with non-self invaders) leading to a chronic condition where the inflammation work is never done because there are plenty of healthy cells. This blames the autoimmune system as having gone bad. This may be convenient as we do not need to acknowledge that there is something we are doing to contribute to the problem in our diet, lifestyle, or environment. However, that puts the solution out of our realm....not good.
Regardless of cause, a biochemical cascade ensues resulting in inflammation. Halting this cascade is seen as the solution to ease the inflammation in a typical Western approach. But this is treating the symptoms.
Ayurveda believes in going to the root of the problem and making changes to alleviate or eliminate the cause. Causes are different from symptoms. Treating only the symptoms is never ending. You must go to the cause.
This is the crux of the Ayurveda explanation of arthritis---the root cause is toxins in the joint. With arthritis we are talking about cartilage or synovial cells damaged by microorganisms or oxidative radicals from toxins. Adams (p. 47) suggests that as we delve into the real causes of arthritis we will find "toxic joint syndrome rampant." 
According to Adams, "a more logical explanation (than autoimmunity) is that the immune system is still doing the right thing, but is overpowered by the problem. Recent research shows evidence of a toxic invasion or infection of arthritic joints.
Unless we cleanse toxins from the joints, we will continue to overwhelm the immune system and it can never get the job done. Ayurveda recommends limiting the ingestion of toxins (emotional and physical) and calls for daily cleansing as well as more intense seasonal cleansing. In addition, balancing out-of-balance doshas is the key to sustaining good health
In summary, the Ayurveda explanation of arthritis is about toxins in the system that have come to reside in the joints. The solution is healthy diet and lifestyle choices, limiting exposure to toxins, regular detoxification and continuing doshic balancing.  citation: Arthritis: the botanical solution by Case Adams, naturopath (highly recommend)
|
|
Classes in Kalamazoo and Oak Park, IL
Rhonda Egidio, Ph.D. is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner with great passion for sharing the wisdom of Ayurveda and the simple yet effective practices that can make important upgrades to our digestion and overall radiant health.
The Sweet Sleep of Your Dreams with Ayurveda
Proper sleep is so important in Ayurveda that it is considered one of the four pillars of good health or if compromised, a condition for poor health. Restful nightly sleep is a key to health, longevity, and peak performance and Ayurveda offers some simple and effective tools to invite deep, regenerative sleep.
The Best Week of Your Life with Ayurveda:
Plan 7 Days of Healthy, Delicious Meals for Perfect Digestion and Dosha Balancing
Develop a customized 7 day/21 meal menu plan for balancing your doshas based on your assessment. Make choices to stabilize perfect digestion-the key to health, healing, and positive emotions. Make spice churnas to increase agni (digestive fire).
December 3 and 10; 6:00-8:00pm Kalamazoo
Ayurveda Home Herbalism Training for Radiant Health: Herbs for Daily Essentials, Digestion, Healing, Vitality, Sex/Romance, Mind, and Consciousness
In Ayurveda, spices and herbs are concentrated forms of healing pranic intelligence. Learn to make herbal formulas that will support your health and evolution in remarkable ways. You will have take home products made in class. Class size is limited to 7 so register early to assure your spot. November 12 and 19; 6:00-8:00pm flier/registration
You will learn about the health and higher consciousness benefits of meditation, the role of thoughts in meditation, and the practice called "Natural Meditation" using a mantra. November 15; 10:45am-12:00pm flier
|
 Types of Arthritis
Specific types of arthritis can have some unique characteristics.
Osteoarthritis is most common usually affecting fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, and spinal regions.
Rheumatoid arthritis is chronic recurring inflammation with joints inflamming symmetrically on both sides of the body --- both knees. Often occurs in the person's 30's or 40's.
Gout is not arthritis but can cause arthritis. In gout uric acid content increases leading to deposits of curic acid crystals in the joints and the kidneys.
Lyme disease is a reactive arthrits. Lyme bacteria can infect the synovial fluid.
|
Rhonda Egidio Ph.D., provides Ayurvedic assessments of primary health concerns, diet, sleep and lifestyle and offers Ayurvedic recommendations. It's a good idea to get a baseline assessment to help you to apply Ayurveda knowledge in a customized way to your particular needs. Check out assessment and session options.
Rhonda Egidio, 269-345-2991
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Classes
|
The Sweet Sleep of your Dreams Oct. 7
The Best Week of Your Life December 3 and 10
Herbs for Health
November 12 and 19
Meditation November 15
|
|
Herbs for Arthritis
Pharmaceuticals are isolated chemicals with one primary ingredient.
Botanical solutions, through herbs and food, keep the active ingredient in it's home with dozens or hundreds of natural buffers and balancers as well as enhancers --- called constituents.
Whole herbs and foods have intelligent healing affects on the body system without causing the side effects from isolating active ingredients.
Recommendations from the sciences of Ayurveda and Naturopathy:
White willow bark
Guggulu
Goldenrod
Dandelion
Nettle
Boswellia/frankincense
Feverfew
Hops
Ginger
Cayenne
Turmeric
Basil
Rosemary
Oregano
Garlic
Ashwagandha
Triphala guggulu is a revered formula for daily cleansing of toxins, especially for reaching in to clear ama from joints.
Pukka is a lovely tasting detox tea with anise seed, fennel, and cardamom.
|
Ring of Fire  Firey joints not so good---but this interpretation of Ring of Fire by Home Free---incredibly awesome!!! |
|
Change of Season
Guidelines
Summer to Fall
We are leaving Pitta season and entering Vata. Vata is dry and cool. So....
Diet
Transition from cool, raw, light foods and drinks to those that are warm, cooked and grounding. Root vegetables and brothy soups are great. Try heating spices like peppers and ginger.
Lifestyle
Fall winds can blow you off your mark. Know this is a time when we might naturally feel a little more anxiety and pressure to get it all done. Get back to regular routines such as daily meditation and yoga. Do self abhyangha. Be kind to yourself with the demands you perceive. Go here for a free Fall Guide from Banyan Botanicals
|
Detox Tea Recipes
The secret to joint health is clearly keeping free of toxins in the body system. Here are two of my favorites for daily detox
Hot Spice Water
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1/4 tsp cumin seeds
1/4 tsp coriander seeds
Add boiling water to seeds in a thermos -- sip throughout the day.
Start Your Morning With a Cup of This Detox Tea
1. juice from 1 small or 1/2 large lemon
2. a few shakes cayenne pepper 3. grade B organic maple 4. syrup to taste 5. dash of apple cider vinegar 6. 1 cup boiled water Play with amounts to get a taste you like--but not too sweet. About a tsp or so of maple syrup.
|
|
The Science: Sesame Seeds for Knee Osteoarthritis
4 Tablespoons of sesame seeds daily beat out tylenol plus glucosimine for reducing pain intensity for those with knee osteoarthritis.
|
Free Cleanse Guide
Banyan Botanicals offers an awesome guide for cleansing. You can get it here for free.  |
|
Ayurveda information shared here is for general educational purposes and is not intended to substitute for medical or psychological advice. Please consult with a qualified medical professional in these matters.
|
|
|
|
Save 20%
|
Make an appointment for your Ayurveda Assessment (90 minute) and 1 follow up session (60 minute) for $160 for both sessions and receive a Radiant Life  Ayurveda thermos for your daily spice water. (regular price $200)
The custom knowledge for your health plan will well serve you as you continue to make informed decisions to favor good personal health.
Includes a detailed report of assessment and custom recommendations. Now taking appointments for Kalamazoo, MI and Oak Park, IL locations.
| Offer Expires: October 31, 2014
|
|
|
