Sports and games are making a slow come back as the Covid-19 pandemic
loosens its clutch over many regions. This is a time when sports personalities and
athletes are focussing hard to improve their fitness in their bid to make a “strong
comeback”. They are well aware that a prolonged absence due to injuries or disorders
can impinge their dreams and waste no time in availing good treatments.
While the debate rages on over the best system of medicine for
sport injury treatment, traditional Indian healing systems like Ayurveda have
much to offer in this field.
In classical texts of Ayurveda like Charak Samhita, Susrut Samhita and Astang Hridaya, Acharyas mention
about ‘Rasayana Chikithsa’ which
comes handy in treatment of most of the sports injuries. Originally the treatment
aims to sustain youthfulness by maintaining the balance of the three doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The treatment helps in making a person physically and mentally strong by preventing the degeneration of cells. The
other benefit is to enhance the reproductive power.
A major share of treatment of sports injuries is over
repairing or rectifying damages to the body due to reasons like overexertion or
accidents. The conditions include:-
Degeneration of bones
In Ayurveda, it’s known as ‘Vatha Vyadhi’. The line of treatment for
‘Vatha Vyadhi’ cures all degenerative
conditions.
Muscle wasting and tendon rupture
This condition occurs when the body fails to get
adequate nourishment in proportionate with the physical exertions. The muscles
will weaken resulting in tendon rupture. In Ayurveda, the condition is called Shohsam and has specific line of treatment.
Inflammation
Inflammation affects mainly the joints
of the body and similar to conditions of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ayurvedic
treatments like Vata Rakta Chikitsa
and Amavatha Chikitsa etc are proven
effect in curing the conditions.
Fractures/Sprain
The key to management of fracture is
to restore the normal or near to normal structural integrity and physiology of
the fractured part, at the earliest, without complications and with minimal complications.
Like modern medical science, Ayurveda too prescribes fundamental principles for
management of fractures like First Aid, Reduction, Immobilisation and Physiotherapy.
Besides, adjuvant therapies like oral medications, Pancha karma and diet regimen have been mentioned. Due consideration
to Prakriti (Psycho – somatic
constitution) and nutritional status is also provided as part of the treatment.
By adopting these Ayurvedic principles,
many sports injuries can be successfully managed with minimal complications.
(Authors – Dr Khrisikesh and Dr Deepa Shetty, Ayurveda Mana, Palakkad, Kerala)
