Aruveyda and RA? | Arthritis Information
Hi guys!
To recap: I'm 19, was diagnosed about 8 months ago, have had RA for maybe 4 or 5 years? Currently on mtx, plaq, iron and fish oil supps... I'm a college student (english major woohoo!) in good old California.
Aruveyda is a Vedic holistic health medicine that goes back to 1000 BCE or something equally ancient. It's a branch of hinduism, and encourages things like veganism, yoga, supplements, etc. Each person's health is based off balancing their doshas--the amount of each element in the body. Good website: http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/Arthritis/arth_RA_ayurveda.htm
So I went to a free Aruveyda consultation last week, and it was really interesting... We spent about an hour going over digestive/health/everything history and doing a questionairre; the practicioners spent a half hour going over the interview... and then 15 minutes in the prescription period. Which was dissapointing (it was about closing time and was an hour away from home, though...)
So basically they prescribed me a diet and activity level for my "dosha" (I'm tridosha, if you're interested) which made sense (warm foods, avoid sticky and citrus fruits as they aggravate arthritis, avoid "air" foods like popcorn and bread because they ailments are from an excess of "air" dosha in my body). Light excercise like yoga and walking.
All the supplements they recommended had castor oil--which I could have sworn I heard my rhuemie tell me specifically not to take? But I can't recall--best to hold off until I have an appointment with him, I know.
So here's the big one: panchakarma. It's a series of therapies that basically clean out all the toxins in the body and rebuild the immune system. Of course, they admitted that RA is genetic in my family so it isn't a cure, but... that sounds even MORE to the point than the DMARDS, right? The therapies include hot wax, poulituces, full body massage, special diets, steaming, herbal supplements, enemas, tea, etc... At the place I went to it's 1500$ for a week. Looking on line it's somewhere between 4k and 5k for a month with full room and board (and probably yoga classes, etc). So obviously this is something to save up for... maybe a graduation "present" to myself?
ANYWAY: Anyone had experience with Aruveyda at all, in relation to RA? And what do you think of all this? My parents are all "IT'S JUST THE PLACEBO AFFECT" but if that's what gets my RA on the downlow, then I'm all for it :)
Aruveyda is a recognised RA therapy. That said, I knew a guy who tried it for severe Crohn's and it didn't work. I myself go for holistic healing at a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, but I can't really tell if it's what's helping my RA (I am continuing to improve though---drr...shouldn't be doing 3 different therapies all at once!). The difference is my TCM is covered by my extended insurance. I sure wouldn't pay 5 large a month for it.So is that like accupuncture and accupressure? I've looked into those a little.... Do you notice that you feel better right after a session? Also, what other therapies are you trying?
(Sorry to put you in the hot seat... I just feel with eastern medicine that there's an answer there, somewhere, just like there is in western medicine... I just don't know where to start)
No problem, L'ilestGypsy....but I'm kinda crunched for time today. If you search "Jedi Mind Tricks" on this forum the posts describe in minute detail what happens at my TCM appointments.
My other therapies are allotherapy and antibiotic protocol therapy.
Gimpy-a-gogo2008-03-19 16:50:25I grew up when all of these alternative things were first getting a foothold in the US. It's possible that some of these things, dietary changes for example, can be helpful. A lot of the other stuff isn't necessarily going to do anything other than lighten a small area near your hip. I think cleanses can only help. But that's me. And when JSNM is around we should ask her about them. Seems 5K is a lot for stuff you can do at home for about .95.
Pip
^ hi there, I'm an English major too! Hooray!_popupControl();
Listen, this isn't going to cure you, or stop your disease, but the cleansing, poultices, massages and hot wax are going to do great things for your muscle pain. Who here wouldn't feel less pain and a better sense of wellbeing after a gentle full body massage, a rest at a resort and spending a month doing yoga and meditation? But, honestly, paying that much is pretty ridiculous. I see a natropath (who specialises in Aruveda and Chinese medicine) and do Aruvedic yoga with dumb pilates moves and that only costs around a month. Look, the retreat will probably make you feel better for a bit and teach you some things about diet and how to meditate, but at the end of the day, you will still have RA. It sounds like a great holiday, though, just make they don't make you do anything that could potentially worsen your disease! My yoga teacher gets annoyed with me if I don't "pump" the pilates moves. I stay away from pilates, it is a cruel and unusual form of torture!
lol thanks :) Woohoo English majors!
Yeah, I talked with my phys. therapist who recommended against a lot of steam (the high temps aggravate inflammation) and deep tissue massage. You see an Aruveydic therapist regularly for 50$/month? Is that covered by insurance? Everything around here is kind of pricey (but then again, yoga is kind of a "yuppie" thing too--very boutiquey. I'm in the Bay Area, CA though so that might just be here?) Glad to hear it's helping, though :) I hadn't thought of Aruveydic yoga, I think I'll look into that... thanks for your input
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