Fibromyalgia (FM) Fibromyalgia is a chronic widespread pain disorder. Research studies( though not yet conclusive) state that FM patients may have lower levels of a brain neurotransmitter called serotonin, which leads to lowered pain thresholds and increased sensitivity to pain. The lowered pain thresholds in fibromyalgia patients may be caused also by the reduced effectiveness of the body’s natural endorphins and the increased levels of a neurotransmitter called substance P which amplifies pain signals as well.

Recent research suggests that the chronic widespread pain that is the hallmark symptom of FM is neurogenic in origin. Fibromyalgia is associated with a central amplification of pain perception characterized by allodynia (a heightened sensitivity to stimuli that are not normally painful) and hyperalgesia (an increased response to painful stimuli). Neuroimaging studies have also shown that FM is associated with abnormal processing of painful stimuli in the central nervous system and the elevated levels of nerve growth factor in the spinal fluid of fibromyalgia patients. The latter is a small protein important for the growth, maintenance, and survival of certain nerve cells.

Fibromyalgia is a persistent and potentially debilitating disorder that can have a devastating effect on quality of life, impairing the patient’s ability to work and participate in everyday activities, as well as affecting relationships with family, friends, and employers. It imposes heavy economic burdens on society as well as on the patient.

Ayurveda on Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia can be classified as mamsa dhatugat dushti (diseases affecting muscles and tendons) and mamsavrut Vāta (diseases of excess Vāta dosha in muscles and tendons).

Additionally, it involves dysfunction in vāta vaha srota, mamsa vaha srota and mamsa dhatvagni. It falls into a subtype of disease known in Ayurveda as vātavyādhi (diseases caused primarily by vitiated Vāta dosha), but always has Paitaja and Kaphaja involvement and variations.

Vātavyādhi is a disease of chronic and unpredictable (anavasthita) nature, involving primarily the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, but in time affecting one or more additional tissues.

It is described in ancient texts as manifesting with a variety of possible and changing symptoms and signs including pain, stiffness, contracture, fatigue, gradual loss of movement, and mental disturbance. This description is remarkably similar to our modern description of fibromyalgia.

Other primary culprit are Ama and low agni. Ama is the result of defective digestive and metabolic mechanisms  initiated by the consumption of diets prepared with some ingredients of opposite qualities (viruddha ahara) consumed in the presence of mandagni (low agni).

Though, according to Ayurveda, ama and Vata dosha are the main pathogenic factors, Kapha and Pitta are also invariably involved in its pathogenesis.

Fibromyalgia is caused due to an initial aggravation of Vāta leading to neurological signs and symptoms. Kapha and Pitta are vitiated to varying extents in different individuals, and thus fibromyalgia is best understood as a tridoshic disease.

Fibromyalgia symptoms can wax and wane, varying in intensity from day to day and by physical location, all features which reflect its Vāta nature. Patients with FM frequently report impairment in multiple areas of function, especially physical function.

Treatment through Ayurveda:

Diet and Lifestyle modification: Nutritious Vata and Pitta pacifying vegetarian diet.

Plenty of rest (about 8 hours sleep at night); increased intake of warm water; milk with clove, cinnamon ,saffron, ginger(warming herbs) .

Avoid stress and worries.

Light exercise, Yoga, Pranayam ,Shavasana, meditation.

Panchkarma therapies:

Virechna ( An Ayurveda detox panchakarma therapy to remove ama , increase agni and to pacify Vata)

Abhyanga, Shirodhara and Basti subject to each individual’s requirement with specific oils and herbs to balance Tridosha.

Deviated Nasal Septum (DNS)

The thin wall between the nostrils is made of cartilage and bone, and is called the septum. When this is off-center or crooked, it is called a deviated septum.

A deviated septum may be present at birth, may become crooked during growth, or may be caused by injury to the nose and face.

A deviated septum often does not have any symptoms, but some symptoms include; difficulty breathing through the nose, nasal congestion, sinus infections, nosebleeds, nose drips, sleep problems, headaches etc.

Some symptoms of deviated septum may be treated with medication. More severe cases of deviated septum may require surgery to repair the septum;

• Deviated septum surgery (septoplasty) is  to correct a deformity in the nasal septum.
•  Turbinectomy or turbinoplasty is the surgical reduction or removal of an enlarged turbinate (nasal tissue) inside the nose.
• There are risks and complications for all surgeries; those for deviated septum and turbinate surgeries are infrequent, but include the following:
  • nasal obstruction,
  • bleeding,
  • chronic nasal drainage,
  • numbness of facial structures,
  • septal perforation,
  • alteration of sense of smell or taste, and
  • failure to resolve any associated nasal or sinus problem

Ayurveda treats Deviated septum through a Panchkarma therapy of 7 days.It is called Nasya that involves Ayurveda face massage, herbal steam and specific Ayurveda oil or herbs or powder into the nostrils.

–Nasal infusion modifies the function of ADNYA CHAKRA (Nerve plexus at the base of the nose between the eye brows, which is connected with the Master gland i.e. Pituitary gland of the body) which controls all most all hormonal secretions in the body ultimately controls  whole body physiology.

It kills the receptors, which shows hypersensitivity to dust and other allergens.

-Cleans the blocked sinuses, kills microorganism responsible for sinusitis and reduces the inflammation in the sinuses.

-Surgeries can be avoided for Sinusitis, DNS (Deviated nasal septum) with this simple but very effective therapy.

-Cures Chronic coryza ,Dust allergies, Migraine, Headaches, Insomnia, Stiffness in the head, neck, teeth and jaw ,Facial Paralysis ,Frozen Shoulder , Shoulder pain ,Cervical spondylitis, Hysteria, Nervousness, anxiety, fear, dizziness, Stress, Depression, Tonsillitis, Acne, Hair problems ,Parkinsonism.

Therapy enhances the function of sense organs- Nose, Eyes, Ears ;Improves memory, etc

Over the past 9 years of our existence in Kenya, we have successfully treated many severe cases of Deviated septum, the cases that required Surgery.

24thJuly, 2017

My name is Dimple Vagani, a 36 year old wife and a mother to a School going child. I had been suffering from Arthritis for the past 10 years. Usually people start suffering from arthritis at a later age but because of inheriting from both of my parents’ side; I became a victim from the young age of 26. Doctors gave me pain killers and later steroids. These would give me relief from pain but the disease kept on progressing. I started developing Ulcers due to the constant use of the pain killers and last year, the ulcers ruptured. I had to go through Laparoscopy and the Doctors asked me to stop taking medicines which means the relief from the joint pains also stopped.

My condition became unbearable. My life changed completely. I would not want to move from the chair or do anything, not even play with my child and bond with him. The pain in my joints had taken over my life. My knees had swollen to an extent that it was difficult for me to walk. My fingers had started losing shape and my night mare was the life of a cripple. I became desperate and could not imagine living like a handicapped, physically as well as emotionally. I wanted to be normal again, walk, dance and walk gracefully on heeled sandals, at least when I was attending some functions. I wanted to be happy again.

I started checking on the internet for some alternatives, some answers to cure my arthritis and I stumbled upon the web site of ayurvedakenya. I called them to check if they could really treat my arthritis as promised on their site. They assured me of positive results and on 7^th February, 2017, I went for a Consultation. I had taken all my medical records with me. I was thoroughly checked and advised to go through an Ayurveda Panchkarma therapy for 11 days. It is called VIRECHNA. It is some sort of Ayurveda detox that removes the toxins from the body, repairs and rejuvenates the Cells.

I wanted to be well again and agreed to follow the Ayurveda Doctor’s advice. Our Kenyan Insurance companies do not recognize Ayurveda treatments. I was told AETNA and some International companies do support Ayurveda treatment. Indian Government had made it compulsory for the Insurance Companies to recognize alternative medicine .But for me the single most important thing was to be my normal self again. What use is that Insurance that only pays to make me sicker! My family supported me fully for this decision as well as throughout the painful and hard times of my struggle with arthritis.

I went through the 11 days Virechna Panchkarma therapy first that ended on 19^th February, 2017. This was to detox my body and help my ruptured ulcers heal.

After two Weeks, I went through Vasti for eight days, another Panchkarma Therapy. It is a specific ayurvedic herbal enema to balance my Vata Dosha and to remove Ama Vata (Rheumatoid Arithritis) from my body.

After 5 months, I can say, I am lot better. I am an active young lady like anyone else of my age. I am able to walk swiftly, even dance and wear 2-3” heals. Once again, I am able to enjoy life. There is some pain during cold weather but that is nothing compared to what it used to be 5 months ago. I do take some oral Ayurveda medicines. I have also made changes to my diet. I was given a chart on what to eat and what not to. I came to know that according to Ayurveda, each individual is born with a specific type of constitution and we should eat what is compatible with our body type. I am becoming more aware of my body’s responses.

I feel so lucky to have found Ayurvedakenya which has given my life back to me. I believe my destiny had opened the ayurvedakenya site in February 2017, so that I could be well again.

Dipsvagani.

Dimple Vagani

Nairobi, Kenya