The first consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, including the diagnosis will last for more than an hour. The basic step in the diagnosis will be to find the person’s body humor (Dosha) – Vata, Pita or Kapha, because it is the imbalance of these body humours that create the disease. 

The dominance of dosha in a person is found by asking several questions on his behaviour, food habits, sleeping patterns, personal details like age, height & weight, place of life, profession, health problems and medical reports etc. Ayurveda diagnosis comprises of clinical and laboratory tests also. The doctor can decide if an Ayurveda treatment is helpful on providing these details.

Pulse, tongue, nail, and eye examinations are important diagnosis methods used to reveal a person’s body humor and its imbalance.

Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda is not just counting the beats. It also reveals the health status of the entire body constitution, including the dosha imbalance and the health of the various body organs. 

In tongue diagnosis, the doctor checks the general appearance, colour and coating of the tongue. In Ayurveda, as different areas of the tongue correspond to different organs of the body, the Ayurvedic practitioner can determine which organs of the body are out of balance by having a detailed tongue examination.


Nail examination is done to check the type, colour and shape of the person’s nail. Imbalances of doshas are easily detected on close examination. 
 
In the eye diagnosis, the colour, size, and even the shape of the eyes are important in determining the dosha dominance of a person. His mental status,nervousness, anxiety, confidence level etc can also be learned through eye diagnosis.

A preliminary consultation with Ayurveda doctors online is also possible nowadays for guests worldwide. 

After the diagnosis, the doctor sets out to treat the patient in a very systematic manner. This would include a set of appropriate Panchakarma treatments and Rasayana therapies .

The Panchakarma Treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, They are classified as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal purification methods.

The Rasayana Therapies are meant to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.These comprise diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines and ayurveda tonics, yoga and a stress free life. After the treatment the ayurveda doctors will advise you how to lead a healthy life. The beneifts and results of the treatment are shown only after the Rasyana Treatment is over and docotrs advise is strictly followed. The results will manifest itself normally after 3 to 4 weeks as the body takes time to regenerate itself.

Pre-purification Therapies are the first ones applied to loosen the toxins, open up the circulation channels and get the body ready for discarding these wastes.  These methods are highly relaxing for the body and mind.

The following pre-purification methods are usually adopted for curing Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Dhanyamladhara is a 45-50 minutes dhara or bath, using fermented herbal liquid that gives an analgesic effect. The treatment provides immediate joint pain relief and toxin excretion lemon, horse gram, beaten rice, rice flakes, ginger, etc. are used for preparing the herbal liquid.


Upanahasweda comsprises of the local application of a medicinal paste on the joints to treat pain and swelling.
Bashpasweda An excellent steam sudation therapy; here, herbal steam is applied evenly to the entire body.

Elakizhi is massage-sweat therapy using warm oil and cotton pouches filled with fresh green leaves and herbs. It causes nervous reflex and dilates blood vessels in the arthritis areas. Plants like vitex, Castor, Datura, Calotropis and Tamarind are commonly used. They have good anti inflammatory and analgesic properties 

Main purification therapy is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre purification treatment stage. These therapies are highly potential methods and are usually overseen by doctors.  The commonly adopted Panchakarma treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis are Vasthi and Virechanam.

Vasthi is the ace colon cleaning Panchakarma treatment.  It involves the introduction of herbal oils and decoctions into the colon through the rectum. Honey, rock salt, herbal pastes, oils and decoctions are the main ingredients used in Vasthi for arthritis. This enema would flush out the arthritis causing toxins and controls the ama.

Virechanam is the purgation using oral intake of safe herbal medicines. This eliminates poisonous wastes through the anal route. Generally, the herbs used are turpith,embellia fruits, ginger, cardamom, long pepper, cinnamon etc.  

These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind after the Panchakarma treatments. They keep the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition, restore and balance the body functions and maintain the overall health and well being of an individual for much longer periods after the Panchakarma course.  Rasayana includes oral medicines and diet regulation.

Oral medicines for Arthritis

It is used for rheumatoid arthritis will be extracts of pure medicinal herbs, leaves, spices etc. They are prepared specifically for the disease to help restore the lost balance. Kashayams, lehyams- herbal decoctions and fermentations Lehyams – semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed. Guggulu, sarsaparilla, fenugreek, cinnamon bark etc. are few of the powerful herbs and spices used in these oral medicines. Guggulu increases white blood cell counts, decreases joint pains and swelling and has excellent rejuvenating properties. 

Diet regulation will be suggested for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients during and after the treatment. They are designed for controlling the digestive fire, better digestion, reduction of ama and for well being.

Vegetable juices and soups are good.  Easily digestible cooked vegetables, spices like cumin, coriander, ginger, and lots of green salads are included in the diet.  Juices of carrot, beat root and cucumber mixed together are also beneficial. Fruits like apples, oranges, grapes and papaya can be taken.

Spicy food, some gas causing vegetable, sweets, too much tea, coffee, nicotine etc. will be taken off from the diet. You can find out your type of Prakruthi and decide a diet for yourself.

It is advised to take at least one or two weeks of rest after the Panchakarma experience. At this time the body is weak after a purification process and needs time to get back to normalcy. Avoid strenuous exercise, late nights, too much television, and other stimulating experiences.