Best essential oil for Arthritis & benefits of massage therapy – Dr. Chetali Samant

There are many essential oils that can be used to reduce the pain, inflammation and stiffness that is experienced in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Oils like clove and Cyprus can be used as a combination to massage everyday on the joints which are painful or within which you are experiencing more arthritis to bring down the pain and swelling. Also some other oils like eucalyptus, wintergreen, peppermint, cypress, marjoram, frankincense etc can be used as essential oil blend for regular use before bath to bring down the pain and swelling. There are many options in massages in rheumatoid arthritis in ayurveda. In ayurveda we do a massage which can be done dry or preceded by an oil massage which soothes rheumatoid arthritis. They are called as pathra panda sweda. Patra basically means herbs. So leaves of herbs which have anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties are used as a bolus tied in a cloth and used for massages over the joints which are painful and swollen in rheumatoid arthritis. Pathra panda sweda over a period of time in repeated sessions, say 8 sessions every month does help bring down pain considerably in rheumatoid arthritis. If done regularly it can also reduce the stricture of joints or contractures of joints which are commonly experienced by people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Certain other dry massages or dry fermentations also help for example istika sweda which is done by using bricks, then, valuka sweda, which is done by using hot sand also helps in bringing down pain, inflammation as well as pain in rheumatoid arthritis and can be taken successfully in succession. That means eight sessions every other week when you are experiencing most amount of pain is seen to be very effective in patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.