Role of Jaloukavacharana in acute pain management of Amavata with respect to Rheumatoid Arthritis : A pilot study

Abstract

Amavata is one of the most challenging diseases caused by Ama combining with vitiated Vata Dosha. The disease Amavata manifests where patient cries out of pain, severe stiffness, loss of appetite, vague body ache and crippling deformity of joints, which make them bed ridden. Having several features similar to Rheumatoid arthritis, Amavata is generally compared with it. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints. Pain and stiffness often worsen following rest. Pain medications, steroids, and NSAIDs are frequently used in contemporary science, to treat the disease. Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate, are also used to slow the progression of disease but these have their own side effects. Jaloukavacharana described in Ayurveda plays a major role in reducing pain and swelling. Hence an effort has been made in this present study to evaluate the efficacy of Jaloukavacharana in the acute management of pain in Amavata. 10 subjects between 20-60yrs with classical symptoms of Amavata were selected from IP section of SJIIM Hospital, Bengaluru. The assessment was done before the day of initiation of treatment, after the treatment and on 8th day. Clinically patients found significant relief in pain, swelling and range of movements after one sitting of Jaloukavacharana, hence it can be concluded that Jaloukavacharana is effective in management of pain in acute phase of Amavata.