School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion
Recipes
Ingredients
Create Your Diet
We specialize in digestive herb formulas. Use the chart below to find the right herbal formula for optimal gut health.
SYMPTOMS & AYURVEDIC REMEDIES
ACHES & PAINS - GENERALWHAT DOES IT MEAN? WHAT'S CAUSING IT? WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Written by John Immel,
53 likes SAVE IT
Written by John Immel,
Are you prone to a problem with 'Aches & Pains - General'?
Ayurveda classifies pain into several types - inflammatory, tension related, and ama related (toxins), although the underlying cause of pain could be virtually any injury, disease or sickness. General aches & pains are often a sign of ama or toxic buildup in the body. For example, a person who has aches and pains while feverish. All pain involves Vata. Note: Please see a qualified medical professional to determine this underlying cause. Journaling Areas of PainWrite down each of the areas in your body where you notice pain. Write down the qualities of the pain. Burning pain implies irritated tissue. Dull pain may imply swelling of the area, and displaced tissues. Pinching pain could imply there is something stuck in the tissue, like a splinter. Notice whether pressure relieves pain, or increases it. Notice if the location of the pain is moving.Pain and Poor CirculationWherever there is pain, there tends to be poor circulation due to tension and swelling. Deep breathing exercises, massage with aromatic ointments (tiger balm), and vasodilating herbs (like cloves) tend to relieve pain. Rosemary and thyme essential oils can helpful to stimulate blood flow. Keep warm, as warmth increases blood flow. Exposure to cold tends to increase pain.Strategies for Pain by TypeIn the case of inflammatory pain, reduce pain with anti-inflammatory herbs that also improve circulation, such as turmeric, ginger and guggulu. Amalaki is a good choice for pitta related pain because it simultaneously reduces pitta and improves circulation.For tension related pain, use muscle relaxants such as valerian, skullcap, and pedicularis. Aromatic herbs such as cloves have an analgesic effect, improve circulation, and at the same time relax muscles. Soothe your nervous system with nervines and massage with oil. For pain due to buildup of ama, use CCF tea along with a mild laxative such as triphala. Eat a cleansing, easy to digest diet. DO not massage the body with oil if you have ama. Instead, use dry brushing. Addressing Your Beliefs About Pain
Ayurveda suggests that one must accept pain even while trying to relieve it. One of the first reactions to pain is to suppress it, ignore it, and try to pretend it isn't there. This causes muscle tension, emotional eating, irritability with loved ones, and shallow breathing. Instead of contracting and tensing up, you want to relax and open up. Gentle stretching exercises will help relieve pain.
Paradoxically, ignoring pain makes it worse. Pain's purpose is to warn you. The more you ignore this alert, the louder it gets. Instead, by paying attention to pain, you'll notice relief. You'll being to relax as well, which will provide relief from muscle tension, emotional eating, irritability, and shallow breathing. Ayurveda believes pain is a subjective experience that originates in the central nervous system, in response to tissue irritation or damage. The popular view of pain is that it originates in the damaged tissue itself, although recent research refutes this concept of pain. Since pain is a response that originates in the central nervous system, contemplative practices can bring significant relief to chronic pain. The brain contains many pain-relieving chemicals. This is why the placebo effect is particular strong among those who suffer from chronic pain. In studies on arthritis the placebo affect has been shown to last over 2 years. Fear & Pain
A study at Oxford University on pain showed that religious belief can also reduce pain. When atheists and Catholics were shown a secular painting by DaVinci, their experiences of pain were similar. However, when practicing Catholics were shown a picture of the Virgin Mary, they showed 12% less sensitivity to pain. When these individuals were monitored, it was found they were accessing the same areas of the brain as activated by placebo effect. It made the pain seems less threatening. Apparently, fear of pain has a powerful effect of increasing pain.
These results indicate that you have the choice of whether to experience more pain or less. Mood, a nurturing hug, reassurance, and religious beliefs can be powerful mediators of chronic pain. Your beliefs about pain can change your experience of it. For this reason, pain can be a spiritually transforming experience, if you allow it to be. You can even welcome this aspect of pain with the following prayer affirmation, "God, I know you are helping me to grow through this pain, and I promise to do my best to know you through every experience, good or bad." Disclaimer: 'Aches & Pains - General' could be serious and should be checked by a medical doctor. STAGE OF DISEASE 2 - AFFECTING BLOOD & EMOTIONSAffecting Blood: Initially, imbalances are localized, often in the digestive tract. As an imbalance grows, it starts to affect your body systemically, via the blood. If you have symptoms in this category it means that your imbalances are starting to spread, have entered the bloodstream, and are now systemic. Pay particular attention to the gunas, tastes, and doshas out of balance systemically, so you know how to strengthen your body as a whole, and reduce physical stress on your organs. At this stage of imbalance you will begin to experience generalized discomfort, imbalanced emotions, and may develop sensitivities to temperature. It may take several weeks of strict adherence to a specific remedial diet to clear blood level imbalances. A several day cleanse may shorten the recovery time.ARE YOU NEW TO AYURVEDA?Are you wondering what Ayurveda is and how to use it for 'Aches & Pains - General' and health in general? LEARN MOREFAVOR HERBS WITH THESE MEDICINAL PROPERTIESIngredient and herbs each have unique effects on the various organs of your body. Herbalists study these effects and categorize them, so it is easy to identify which foods and herbs are most helpful for your unique body type. Click on the medicinal properties below to learn more about them, and to figure out which recipes, ingredients and products will be a good match for you. Individual results will vary depending upon the root cause of your imbalance. The following medicinal properties are useful for a general case of 'Aches & Pains - General'. You must independently verify whether these medicinal properties address the root causes of your case of Aches & Pains - General.Bone & Joint: Antiarthritic ANTIARTHRITICHerbs that ease arthritic pain and promote joint health.Cleanse and Detox: Burns Toxins , BURNS-TOXINSAn herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.Detoxicant DETOXICANTAn herb that eliminates or metabolizes toxins from the body.Heart & Circulation: Cardiac stimulant , CARDIAC-STIMULANTHerbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.Vasodilator VASODILATORA vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.Immune System: Anti Inflammatory , ANTI-INFLAMMATORYReduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.Analgesic , ANALGESICRelieves or reduces feelings of pain without eliminating sensation.Antimicrobial , ANTIMICROBIALAn agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.Immune Stimulant IMMUNE-STIMULANTStimulates and strengthens the immune system. Helpful when fighting off a cold or flu.Mind, Stress & Sleep: Anxiolytic , ANXIOLYTICHerbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines.Nervine NERVINEHerbs that specifically go to the nervous system and brain. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer?s, even chronic pain.Skin Care & Beauty: Diaphoretic DIAPHORETICAn herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin. Click here for general Bones Tips
DISCLAIMER: The pathogenesis of each person's condition is unique, and so the diet must be fit to the individual and the unique root causes of the condition in your body. The best way to do this is with a one on one consultation. DIET REMEDIES FOR 'ACHES & PAINS - GENERAL'PRODUCTS REMEDIES FOR 'ACHES & PAINS - GENERAL'1. SPECIALITY FORMULAS FOR ACHES & PAINS - GENERALWe've specially chosen these products because of their potential for healing imbalances associated with 'Aches & Pains - General'. Choose a product from this list that also matches your imbalanced doshas and qualities, to ensure a good fit. Please review these products to determine which are right for you. Before making any changes to your health and wellness routine, please check with your medical doctor.LOOKING FOR BONES RELATED PRODUCTS?
See our herbs & products in these categories:
REMOVE THE CAUSES OF YOUR IMBALANCEACHES & PAINS - GENERAL USUALLY MEANS THESE |
On Facebook
On Twitter
| GUNA | DO YOU HAVE THIS IMBALANCE? |
|---|---|
TOXIC
A substance that causes toxicity in the body, or that harms the body.
|
 Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Toxic' guna |
HEAVY
Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.
|
Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Heavy' guna |
To learn more about the symbols above, click on them.
Are you prone to a problem with 'Aches & Pains - General'?
Find your imbalances and create a diet for your Bones by taking the
free bones quiz.
RELATED SYMPTOMS & HABITS
The following symptoms & habits may be related to 'Aches & Pains - General'. See your quiz results for a computerized assessment of your body type. Please click on the symptoms below to learn more about them.
DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR UNIQUE BODY?
HOW AYURVEDA WORKS
ARE YOU WONDERING HOW AYURVEDA CAN HELP YOU?WHY IS AYURVEDA THE RIGHT SOLUTION?
Ayurveda strengthens the body, in addition to addressing the disorder. It take a holistic, systemic approach, instead of myopically focusing on the disorder in question. Ayurveda shows a person how to interpret signs and symptoms of imbalance, and how to address them using materials from home, so they can optimize their health on a continual basis. You can't take the doctor home with you, but you can take Ayurveda home with you. Ayurveda is the most advanced and easy to use home system for self healing with an exceptional focus on digestion.HOW DOES AYURVEDA WORK?
Ayurveda starts by identifying your body type, which identifies certain tendencies in your body to get sick (as well as identifying your strengths). It uses body type to determine the likely root causes of your disorders. Next, Ayurveda analyzes the nature of your disorder. It fits all your signs and symptoms into a pattern, expressed as a combination of gunas / qualities. For example, you may have a heat disorder, a cold disorder, or an oily disorder, etc. This simple categorical approach shows you how to correct systemic imbalances and strengthen your body as a whole.On Joyful Belly, we've created an extensive categorization of food so you can easily match food to your imbalances (gunas). By eating an optimal diet that balances your gunas, your whole body is strengthened and the conditions that created the disorder are removed. Once the root causes of the disease are removed, the disease lessens in strength or disappears altogether. Additional remedies - such as herbs and lifestyle practices - focused on the specific disorder, can greatly enhance your healing.
Want to learn more about Ayurveda and its step-by-step approach to healing? Click below.
LEARN MOREGET STARTED
To get started on your Ayurvedic journey, we first recommend that your find your body type by taking our free quiz. In Ayurveda, every solution is based on your unique body type, so by taking this quiz, you’ll get the best results.5 WAYS TO HEAL YOUR BODY
WITH AYURVEDA - FREE REPORT!
About the Author
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. His online course Balance Your Ayurvedic Diet in a Week provides tools for gracefully healing with Ayurveda to thousands. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
Comments & Personal Experiences
How does 'aches & pains - general' affect your quality of life? What aggravates it? What has helped you? Is there something you'd like to know about 'aches & pains - general'?53 likes
BOOKS
BY JOYFUL BELLY
Say goodbye to confusion about food and health with your personal Ayurveda body book, individually and custom formulated for your body. $19.99 $7.95 introductory offer 3 days only
Join Joyful Belly.
Become a part of the Joyful Belly community! Users get access to exclusive web features, priority notification for special promotions and product discounts. You will also receive our weekly newsletter with recipes, insightful health tips, and practical techniques for incorporating Ayurveda into your diet and lifestyle.