Role of Siddha Varmam Therapy in Reducing Joint pain and Dependency on Medications in a RA patient - A single case study
RA is an autoimmune disease characterized with symptoms related to inflammation in the joints resulting in pain, swelling, & deformity especially in the fingers, wrists, knees and ankles. In some cases, it may cause immobility in joint areas. Modern medicine suggests for expensive and long steroid dependency with adverse effects. Alternative therapies like Siddha vaidyam; which is an ancient and old therapy has proved to be beneficial in managing the symptoms of RA.
A 45-year-old female reported to the Chakrasiddh OPD with chief complaints of pain and swelling in both knee joints and inability to bend them. She was a k/c/o RA from last ten years and value of RA was 65. Though, she was on steroids from last 3 years but her condition seems to have not improved. Unbearable pain and complete body stiffness especially in morning hours were her other concerns. Due to obesity and pain in knees, her walking style has changed and lower back was bending causing a kind of spine postural disorder. She could feel popping sounds from knees while sitting and walking. From past few months, she noticed constant flare-up of symptoms with dull, achy pain in all joints especially in her right knee.
She was given Siddha therapy for 1 month with noticeable improvement in just 2 weeks’ time. The pain score reduced from 10 on VAS to 4 and other variables like stiffness and daily life activities were improved. The RA value decreased to 25 which was symptomatically proven as she was able to walk, sit with no pain. There was a reduced intake of steroids to once a week depending upon pain intensity. The ROM in the joint areas was seen more flexible and improved.