Have Muscle Pain Or Arthritis? Please Avoid Direct Air From Fan
Vata Dosha has direct connection with air. Air element is a component of Vata Dosha. They both have lot in common. There is a famous simile – like Air moves the clouds around the sky, Vata Dosha moves Kapha and Pitta in the body. Kapha and Pitta are basically immobile. It is Vata that takes them allover the body.
We have learnt a few aspects of Vata Doshas previously.
Vata Dosha – Qualities, Functions, Imbalance
How To Balance Vata Dosha? Line Of Treatment And Reasoning
Table of Contents
Vata Dosha and arthritis
Vata is situated in all the joints. Movement is a quality of Vata and hence, Vata Dosha is directly responsible for joint movements (and all the other movements of body parts and fluids). So, osteo arthritis, which is a degenerative disease of the joint is directly related with Vata Dosha.
Vata Dosha and pain
Pain is a characteristic symptom of Vata. In any disease, if pain is a symptom, then there is definite involvement of Vata.
Vata Dosha and skin dryness
Dryness (Rookshata) is again another characteristic symptom of Vata. In any disease, if there is skin dryness, there is definite involvement of Vata Dosha. Imagine a pond. Constantly blowing wind takes away all the water from the pond and leaves it high and dry. So Vata has characteristics of wind and dryness is one of its key qualities.
Cause for Vata imbalance – direct wind
Exposure to direct wind has been explained as a cause for Vata imbalance. Exposure to direct wind causes increase of dryness and increase of pain. Because pain and dryness – both are Vata symptoms.
So, people with Vata imbalance, those who are suffering from muscular pain, arthritis, myalgia etc., should avoid direct wind and direct air from fan. During summer, no one can survive without a fan. I am not advising to totally avoid fan. But it is best to keep fan at some distance so as to avoid direct wind hitting your skin.
Similarly, while travelling, if you are of Vata body type or have any Vata Dosha dominant disease, it is best to keep the vehicle window closed or at least half-closed. This helps to avoid direct wind and prevents Vata Dosha increase.
There is also another physical cause behind increase of Vata by direct wind exposure. When air is blowing directly at an organ, it is causing minute oscillating movements to the skin, muscle, ligaments, etc, pertaining to that organ / limb. When there is movement, there is Vata increase. Hence there is increase of pain.
You may not readily appreciate the worsening of Vata symptom just by single episode of wind exposure. It may be a slow process and symptoms may worsen over a period of time. The impact will be gradual but certain.
In case of Vata imbalance, it is better to keep the affected part of the body covered with cloth. This is the principle behind bandaging the limb to reduce pain, or to heal a bone fracture. This is also a principle to choose tight cloth Vs loose fitting cloth.
This principle also puts light on another fact that travelling increases Vata. Hence, people who travel a lot should undergo Abhyanga (oil massage) at least once a week to keep Vata in balanced condition. Related: Ayurvedic travelling tips
Reference
तथा ब्रह्मचर्यनिवातशयनोष्णोदकस्नाननिशास्वप्नव्यायामाश्चैकान्ततः पथ्यतमाः ||६||
tathā brahmacaryanivātaśayanoṣṇodakasnānaniśāsvapnavyāyāmāścaikāntataḥ pathyatamāḥ ||6||
Brahmacharya – celibacy
Nivata Shayana – sleeping in the place where air does not blow directly
Ushnodaka snana – hot water bath
Nishasvapna – sleeping during night
Vyayama – exercise
Ekanta – spending lonely time are Pathya ( good habits) Sushruta Sutrasthana 20/6
Addition by – Dr M S Krishnamurthy
Fan – A Tool Of Comfort May Cause Health Issues Too!
Ayurvedic texts have emphasized the usage of tool ‘Vyajana’. It was the feather tool used to blow the air and hence to get the cooling effect (feather fan). It was circular in shape and prepared by suturing the feather of birds like peacock, pigeon etc. In due course of time it took different shapes also. In later period people were preparing the fans out of the leaves, spades of the areca nut etc. Many who were skillful made the mechanical fans too out of such hand fans. Even today in few community hand fans are used as a mean of welcome. Also, in few functions and rituals like marriage, coronation etc too we find the usage of hand fans. In market one can find unique and fancy hand fans prepared out of lighter metals, plastics, cloth, feather materials etc.
When we consider the electronic fans we need to know about few of the important aspects of in relation to health issues.
Ceiling fans cited at the old offices, placed in lesser height etc often cause dust allergy. This is due to the dust particles in the corners and ceilings of the rooms are dispersed by such fans. Also when the rpm (rotation per minute) of the fan is increased (speed is increased), the people who are allergic towards dust particles are prone to get the allergic reactions. Similarly the table fans which are placed very close to us while sitting or lying down may cause suffocation or choking as the direct air is entered inside forcibly. This may worsen the conditions like cough, cold, breathlessness etc. In young children it may worsen their respiratory problems. Also those who are having the habit of keeping the wet clothes for drying in the bed rooms are prone to get cold, cough etc.
A simple health tip will surely help a lot to many people who are not aware of it. Sharing is caring too….!
32 comments on “Have Muscle Pain Or Arthritis? Please Avoid Direct Air From Fan”
Bhargav
I liked your article about wind/vaat and that it increases pain and dryness due to wind movement. Now I know after sleeping under moving fan, why my knees, shoulders and other joints have more pain. But please now show the way, how to prevent or control this situation? Without fan, there is lot of perspiration that leads to sleepless nights. I have tried to cover body with a sheet/chaddar, but it raises heat and perspiration. What to do? Please advise.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, if there is so much high temperature that it causes sweating etc, it makes sense to use fan to cool it down. Here, fan is actually avoiding the increase of Pitta.
I am not saying that using fan is totally bad. But exposing to fan, kept very near, or to high speed fan for a very long time, when there is no real need, causes Vata imbalance.
vamshi krishna
Excellent Article Sir..As always..
Sir is there any cure exists in Ayurveda for SI Joint pain …Arthritis in hip joint..?
Thanks Again
MRSharma
whether it is kantakari or unmada or virchana, the ideas are given in a nut shell so that even a laymen could easily understand.
R Gopalan
Thank you so much for throwing meaningful light on the adverse effects of being in contact with direct air.will follow the advice. Thanks again.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Welcome sir.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Dear Monika, thanks for finding my article useful. Regards
sunil
Doctor thank you very much for explaining the adverse effect,which is very easy to understand can you mail me the in simple word the definition of VATA KaFA and PITTA and there effect on body i am little bit confused kindly help me.
p.v.sundaresan iyer.
Thank you verymuch for the tips to alleviate joint pain.I also felt that exposure to air enhanses pain verymuch.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
True sir.
aryambal
Valuable advice. Many times people use fan just to avoid mosquitoes though the temperature is moderate. It is better to opt for mosquito net during winter. It is also important to pay attention to ventilation while building a house. In olden days people planned a veranda/balcony in their houses to sleep in summer. ACs are also not health friendly.Natural breeze is always better for our health. Even today people living in small villages sleep on roof tops with mosq. nets. during summer. Fresh air is refreshing.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
True. Overall, the message is, if you have pain, avoid excess air exposure.
sss3amitg
Great, sir…. Thanks…….God bless you..
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Welcome 🙂
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Thanks 🙂
Ramesh
Thanks, sir. Information is extremely useful for all of us for regulating our life. We are grateful. Regards.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Dear Ramesh, Thanks for reading my articles. Best regards
SURINDER SINGH
Thanks, sir. Information is extremely useful for all of us for regulating our life. We are grateful. Regards.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Dear Surinder Singh, Thanks for reading my article and appreciating my efforts. Wish you good health.
Sudha
Very informative. What about air conditioner….it just conditions the air in the room?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, if the temperature is set close to the normal temperature, it is fine. If the air conditioner’s temperature is too low, then it will again increase Vata, because cold is a Vata quality.
Prathima
Can fibromyalagia be cured with ayurveda.
Piyu
Hello doctor. .is there an app for Android of this site
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
No madam.
shubham
I suffer this muscles pain every morning when I get up. It stays for 15-20 mins ND then it comes back to normal. But that 15 minutes of pain just kills me. I try not sleeping under pan but can sleep without the fan as well in this summer time . Is der any deficiency in the body which causes this problem? Any medicine fir this illness?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, just a small test to know the pain is due to fan or not is,
wrap the painful area with cloth. If pain reduces, then avoid fan.
I would recommend to continue treatment with the present Ayurveda center, because, the medicines prescribed are usually the same.
Sanjiv
Dear Sir,
Thank you so much for sharing such articles. I find this site to be one of the most transparent and honest websites on Ayurveda. You are doing very good for humanity. May God bless you with more knowledge, peace and true happiness.
I have also observed that when I wear banian (vest) at night while sleeping under the fan, I get lot of pain in my shoulders and upper back. When I wear kurta along with banian the pain is reduced to a great extent in the morning. But my feet remin open and I get pain in calves.
Generally we sleep in the same room with children, so it is not possible to keep fan at a very low speed as the children don’t get sleep. Could you please advise, what is the best thing to do in such circumstances ?
Thank you
Sanjiv
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Thank you 🙂
cover hands with full sleeves kurta while sleeping at night under the fan
Anth
You said over time no matter what if air is blowing on you then pain is sure to follow. My grandfather has slept with a ceiling fan on every night of his life no blanket and never had pain you said its gradual and no matter what causes pain … I also love to sleep in cold environment or else I sweat when too hot.
Why do you think its certain that everyone develops pain from cold air no matter what. Did I misunderstand you. Cold air is good and needed in hot weather . To say that if you sleep under a fan that your organs will eventually develop disease I maybe misunderstood you.
What if people sleep under a fan and theres no pain why do you think they must develop pain
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, For some people who have natural hot tendency (Pitta body type), Fan air exposure is good for them to keep the body cool.
In them, it may not develop pain.
O.P.Khanna
Does direct fan air contract the muscles or not.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
During winter, it does.