AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON 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 Pain

Write 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 Circulation

Wherever 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 Type

In 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."