Podikizhi – Churna Pinda Sweda Treatment Procedure, Benefits

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay)
Ayurveda offers many remedies towards pain relief. Many treatments when effectively combined gives a long-standing relief from pain, stiffness, swelling and other complaints associated with sore joints and bones, musculoskeletal and neuromuscular pains. They also rejuvenate, relax and strengthen the joints, muscles and soft tissues apart from providing pain relief. Many treatments also are highly useful in preventing many diseases like arthritis and low back pain.

Churna Pinda Sweda or Podi Kizhi is one of such popular treatment from the list of highly effective remedies offered by Ayurveda towards pain relief.

In this, we use the herbal powders heated and or fried in herbal oils tied in a bolus to rub against the painful parts for a fixed duration of time so as to heal pains and other related conditions, strengthen & rejuvenate joints, muscles and soft tissues.

Churna Pinda Sweda or Podikizhi is a form of sweat inducing therapies (fomentation, sudation, steaming treatment).

Swedana or fomentation (sudation, sweat inducing treatments, steaming treatment) is a specialized treatment of Ayurveda which helps in providing unparalleled relief in pain, swelling and stiffness associated with diseases like Amavata vis-à-vis Rheumatoid arthritis, Sandhigata Vata (Osteoarthritis), Kati Shula (Low back pain) etc.

Churna Pinda Sweda is a form of swedana which is included under the category of Pinda Sweda (bolus fomentation). In this procedure we use heated or oil fried herbal powders (prepared by pounding the herbs which have the property of healing pain, catches, swelling, inflammation and degeneration) tied in a bolus to provide heat to the pain afflicted joints or body parts, especially in diseases like Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lumbar spondylosis, Cervical spondylosis, Musculoskeletal pains, Myalgia etc.

Before going into details of what are Churna Pinda Sweda and the method of doing it, I would like to give a brief introduction of Swedana in a few paragraphs

Swedana

Swedana –
स्तंभ गौरव शीतघ्नं स्वेदनं स्वेद कारकम्। (च.सू.२२/१२)
Stambha gaurava sheetaghnam swedanam sweda kaarakam (Ref-Charaka sutra sthana 22/12)

Swedana is a treatment procedure in which sweat is induced by application of heat and warmth in the form of steam or by bringing the body / body parts in contact with heated medicaments (powders, leaves, processed rice, sand etc) tied in boluses. Swedana provides relief from Stambha (stiffness and catches), Gaurava (heaviness) and Sheeta (coldness) in the body or body parts.

Swedana is said to be the best form of treatment in expelling morbid Vata and Kapha and also destroying the diseases manifested due to morbid Vata and Kapha.

Swedana is usually done after Abhyanga and or Snehana (administration of medicated oils and ghee for oral consumption in metered doses, as a pre-treatment procedure for cleansing treatments like Vamana – Therapeutic vomiting and Virechana – Therapeutic purgation).

After Swedana, the body starts sweating, we feel lighter and energetic, the cells get activated and flush the toxins away. The cellular metabolism improves and we feel light and at ease.

There are many types of Swedana as explained in Ayurvedic texts. There are about 13 types of Sagni Sweda’s (sweat inducing treatments administered by procedures involving utilization of fire or heated materials) and 10 types of Niragni Sweda (sweat inducing treatments where in the fire or heated materials are not utilized ex. sleeping covering thick blankets until we sweat etc).

Again, Swedana can be done in 2 ways – Ruksha Sweda (dry fomentation) and Snigdha Sweda (wet fomentation or sweat inducing treatment done after giving oil massage or by using the medicinal drugs which are processed or fried in herbal oils). In some pathological conditions both forms can be skillfully combined as and when required. In conditions where pain and associated symptoms are due to ama (metabolic toxins having a sticky nature, tending to block the transport systems of the body and cause painful conditions), meda (contaminated or accumulated fat) and or kapha (morbid kapha) we generally prefer doing Ruksha Sweda or dry fomentation. In conditions where the pain and related symptoms are due to vitiation of only morbid Vayu, we generally prefer Snigdha Sweda (wet or unctuous fomentation)

Every form of Sweda can provide relief from pain, stiffness and swelling. But their area of utilization and the diseases and pathological conditions in which they are administered or preferred will differ. In this context I would limit my discussion to Churna Pinda Sweda (herbal powder bolus fomentation).

Note –
Ama means metabolic wastes created by low metabolism and indigestion which have a sticky nature and has a tendency to produce pain and stiffness.
Meda means fat.
Patra Pinda Sweda falls into the category of Snigdha Sweda and Pinda Sweda.

Pinda Sweda

Pinda Sweda (Bolus Fomentation) –
Pinda means bolus, Sweda means inducing sweating. Thus in Pinda sweda, the medicaments, generally hot or boiled to tolerable temperature are tied in a cloth so as to make a bolus. The bolus is gently rubbed over the painful area. Heat is provided until sweating occurs.
Pinda sweda is generally done as a local fomentation, applied on the pain afflicted body parts. It can be expanded so as to cover the entire body also. There are many variants of Pinda sweda, the name is given on the basis of the material / medicaments tied within the bolus.

Example – Patra Pinda Sweda (leaves of medicinal plants which can relieve pain, stiffness and swelling are used in the bolus), Churna Pinda Sweda (herbal powders prepared by pounding the medicinal drugs which can relieve pain and associated conditions are tied in the bolus), Valuka Sweda (heated sand is tied in the bolus) etc.

Podikizhi

What is Podikizhi?
Churna means powder (herbal), Pinda means bolus, Sweda is sweat, Swedana is sweat inducing treatment.
Churna Pinda Sweda is a treatment in which herbal powders having analgesic, anti-degenerative and anti-inflammatory properties are used for fomentation (sweat inducing) of painful parts

In this treatment, the herbal powders prepared by pounding the medicinal drugs which can relieve pain and associated conditions (having analgesic, anti-degenerative and anti-inflammatory properties) are heated or fried in herbal oils to a tolerable temperature and are tied in a bolus. The bolus is heated in a pan or dipped in herbal oils at a less constant temperature in pans. The heated bolus is continuously rubbed over the pain afflicted areas. This treatment is generally done both in the presence and absence of ama (intermediate products of digestion and cell metabolism, circulating or tissue toxins which get adhered in the cells due to their sticky nature, block the channels and transport systems of the body and cause pain and stiffness). Different churna’s are selected for different stages of the disease.

When ama is predominant in the joints and soft tissues and causing pain and related conditions, Churna Pinda Sweda is used in the form of Ruksha (dry) Sweda, Ex. Rheumatoid Arthritis (Amavata). When ama is absent and only morbid Vata is involved in producing pain and related symptoms Churna Pinda Sweda is used in the form of Snigdha Sweda (unctuous or oil mixed / dipped powder), Ex. Osteoarthritis (Sandhigata Vata). Thus Churna Pinda Sweda is used in the form of Ruksha Sweda (predominance of ama, kapha and meda), Snigdha Sweda (predominance of morbid Vata) and also Snigdha-Ruksha Sweda. Churna Pinda Sweda is selectively used in diseases caused due to morbid Pitta and Rakta (blood), especially when they are associated with ama. Otherwise swedana is contraindicated in high Pitta and high Rakta conditions.

Churna Pinda Sweda is an unparalleled treatment in Vata-Kapha morbidity or any disease or painful conditions caused by morbid Vayu and or Kapha, usually degenerative and oedematous diseases of joints and soft tissues associated with mild to moderate inflammation and effusion. Powders which can pacify morbid Pitta are used in the bolus for tackling inflammatory diseases of joints and soft tissues. Morbid Kapha and its symptoms like catches, heaviness, coldness etc can be got rid of by using Kapha destroying herbal powders in the bolus.

Indications

In which conditions is Churna Pinda Sweda used?
Churna Pinda Sweda is best treatment to provide relief from pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness (catch) associated with bone, joint and or musculoskeletal pains. It is highly beneficial in healing musculoskeletal and neuromuscular diseases. Many times it also acts as a disease-modifier when combined with other effective treatments and oral medications. It is more effective when combined skillfully with Abhyanga (massage with herbal oils), Kati Vasti (oil pooling for low back pains), Greeva Vasti (oil pooling for neck pains) etc treatments.

Churna Pinda Sweda is used in the treatment of –

Osteoarthritis (Sandhigata Vata) – Osteo means bones and Arthritis means painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over a period of time. OA can affect and damage any joint in the body. Joints of the hands, fingers, thumb; neck, lower back, hips, knees and spine are commonly afflicted by osteoarthritis. The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. Swelling in the joint and decreased range of movements are also present in many cases.

Gout (Vatarakta or Vatashonita) – A disease in which defective metabolism of uric acid causes arthritis, especially in the smaller bones of the feet, deposition of chalk-stones and episodes of acute pain.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (Amavata) – It is a chronic progressive disease causing inflammation in the joints and resulting in painful deformity and immobility, especially in the fingers, wrists, feet and ankles.

Musculo-skeletal pains as in myalgia and or fibromyalgia (Mamsagata Vata)

Sciatica (Gridhrasi) – Pain affecting the back, hip and outer side of the leg caused by compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back is called Sciatica. It happens due to the effect of degeneration of intervertebral disc or discs causing compression on the Sciatic nerve.

Intervertebral disc protrusion or prolapsed (IVDP) – is impinging or compressing on the nerves supplying the lower limbs. It presents with pain, numbness, pain extending down the limbs, pain worsening at night, muscle weakness, tingling, aching or burning sensations in the neck, back, legs and arm etc depending on the site of prolapse.

Spondylolisthesis – is a forward displacement of a vertebra, especially a 5^th lumbar vertebra. Generally it occurs following a fracture. It presents with back stiffness, tight hamstrings, leaning forward posture, waddling gait and generalized lower back pain with intermittent shooting pain from buttocks to the posterior thigh and or lower leg via sciatic nerve.

Spinal stenosis – It is a condition in which the spinal column (backbone or spine) narrows and starts compressing the spinal cord. It is a gradual process. If the narrowing is minimal, no symptoms will occur. Too much narrowing can compress the nerves and cause problems. The symptoms include leg or arm weakness, lower back pain while standing or walking, numbness in legs or buttocks and balance problems.

Spina bifida (occulta) – It is a birth defect where there is an incomplete closing of the backbone and membranes around the spinal cord. It presents with leg weakness and paralysis, club foot, hip dislocation, bladder and bowel control problems etc

Coccydynia – Tail bone pain

Low back pain or Lumbago (Lumbar spondylosis)

Sacroiliac Joint Syndrome or Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Internal derangements (ex. meniscal tears) – The onset meniscal tears is usually acute and debilitating, with preceding trauma can be minor. Patients may describe true locking (normal flexion, but an inability to extend the affected knee).

Bursitis – Greater trochanteric bursitis in the hip and pes anserine bursitis in the knee present with pain over the lateral aspect of the hip and over the medial aspect of the knee respectively. There is also local tenderness in these areas that is usually absent in simple OA.

Cervical spondylosis– Neck pain due to damage of neck bones and joints or osteoarthritis of neck bones

Whiplash – neck pain caused when a person’s head moves backward and then suddenly forward with great force.  Whiplash presents with neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in ears etc.

Wry neck (Torticollis) – It is a painfully twisted and tilted neck. The top of the head in this condition generally tilts to one side and the chin tilts to the other side. Symptoms include, an inability to move your head normally, neck pain or stiffness, headache, having one shoulder higher than the other, swollen neck muscles, a tilting of your chin to one side.

Ankylosing Spondylitis – It is a form of arthritis which primarily affects the spine. It causes severe inflammation of the vertebrae that might eventually lead to chronic pain and disability. The disease will cause pain and stiffness in other parts of your body. Other large joints such as the shoulders, hips and knees can be involved as well.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica – It is an inflammatory disorder that causes pain and stiffness in various parts of the body. It commonly affects neck, shoulders, arms, thighs and hips.

Frozen Shoulder – Chronic pain and stiffness of the shoulder joint with limitation of range of movements, also known as adhesive capsulitis

Elbow pain due to various conditions like Tendinitis, Olecranon bursitis, elbow sprain, cellulitis, arthritis, nerve entrapment etc

Other conditions –
Iliotibial band syndrome – The ilio-tibial band is a band of rough tissue that runs from your hip down to the outer part of your knee. If it is irritated by overuse or due to other problems, it becomes inflamed and cause pain on the outer side of the knee.

Patello-femoral pain syndrome (Chondromalacia patellae) – This often results from issues associated with muscle imbalance, tightness and alignment of the legs, rather than an injury. Pain is present between the patella and the underlying thighbone (femur).

Loose bodies in the joints – Sometimes injury can break loose cartilages. These pieces can get stuck in the joint, causing it to freeze and producing pain and swelling.

Knee injuries: like ACL (Anterior cruciate ligament) injury, Torn Meniscus, Knee Bursitis, Patellar tendonitis etc
Old (chronic) joint injuries which was not properly treated
Sprained ligaments
Cartilage tears
Sports injuries
Sprains and strains
Pains and catches in the joints and spine (especially neck and low back) due to bad postures
Pain due to repeated trauma of bones, joints, muscles, soft tissues
Neuromuscular diseases and various musculoskeletal disorders

Note – In all the above said conditions, Churna Pinda Sweda should be carried out after doing Abhyanga (massage with medicated oils). Abhyanga and Churna Pinda Sweda forms a superb combo in relieving pain, stiffness and swelling caused due to many conditions. Patra Pinda Sweda is highly effective both in musculoskeletal and neuro-muscular diseases.
Click to Consult Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ayu)

Procedure

How is Churna Pinda Sweda done?
Choorna Pinda Sweda is done in the below said method –

Purvakarma

Purvakarma (Pre-treatment procedures): This includes –
Preparation of the patient:
The patient is thoroughly examined. The Prakriti (basic constitution) and Vikriti (details of morbidity) are documented in detail. The disease is also examined. After careful assessment, it is decided if Churna Pinda Sweda is suitable to the disease and diseased or not. The treatment line-up, materials and medicines which need to be used are enlisted.

Preparation for the treatment:
Materials needed for the treatment are collected beforehand. They are:
Churna or herbal powders having analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties – Since powders with medicinal properties are the most important materials used in this treatment; we need to collect and have in stock different herbal powders which are suitable for the condition and patient we are handling.

Different choorna’s used in Churna Pinda Sweda are –
Kottamchukkadi Churnam – In pain and inflammation caused due to morbid Vata and Kapha
Gruhadhumadi Churnam – Pain and swelling caused due to morbid Vata and Kapha, Vatashonita (gout)
Ellumnishadi Churnam – Gout and knee swelling caused due to morbid pitta and kapha
Guloochipathradi Churnam – Gout and swelling, pain and burning sensation caused due to morbid pitta and kapha
Jatamayadi Choornam – Gout, swelling associated with pain and inflammation, burning sensation caused due to morbid vata and pitta
Rasnadi Churnam – Pain and inflammation, swelling in spine and joints
Kolakulattadi Churnam – Used in pain, stiffness and swelling caused by morbid kapha
Nagaradi Churnam – Pain and swelling caused due to morbid Vata
Dashanga churnam – in oedematous and inflammatory swelling associated with pain and burning sensation

• Sterile clothes to tie the bolus
• Thicker threads to tie the cloth into bolus after placing leaves in it
• Pans for heating / frying the sand
• Spoons for frying the herbal powders
• Stove for heating
• Sterile napkins or tissue papers for wiping
• For Abhyanga (massage) – Taila (medicated oil), Ghee (medicated ghee) or both suitable to the disease and diseased are collected and stored beforehand. The same oils shall be used for frying or processing the powders.

Some effective oils used for Abhyanga and Churna Pinda Sweda are –

Vishagarbha Taila,
Kottamchukkadi Taila
Murivenna
Mahanarayana Taila
Ksheerabala Tailam
Mahamasha tailam
Balashwagandhadi Tailam
Ashwagandhabalalakshadi Tailam
Sahacharadi tailam
Pinda tailam
Tiktaka ghritam
Guggulutiktaka ghritam
Tila taila (sesame oil) etc

• Materials needed to conduct local treatments like oil pooling (sthanika vasti’s like Kati Vasti for low back pain, Greeva Vasti for neck pain etc) like black gram flour etc
• Medicines needed to conduct Virechana (therapeutic purgation) or Vasti (therapeutic enemas), enema cans and syringes, sterile cotton etc

Treatment procedures which are done in Purvakarma and also form effective combo’s with Churna Pinda Sweda –

• Abhyanga or Samvahana – Good herbal oil massage
• Kati Vasti – Oil pooling in the low back region for low back pain
• Greeva Vasti – Oil pooling in the cervical region (nape of the neck) for neck pain
• Prishta Vasti – Oil pooling to the whole spine
• Janu Vasti – Oil pooling around the knee joints for knee joint pain and arthritis

Pradhana Karma

Pradhana Karma (Treatment proper):
Churna Pinda Sweda (herbal powder bolus fomentation) – Choorna means powders of roots and bark of medicinal plants, Pinda means bolus, Sweda means fomentation. As the name indicates powders of roots, leaves and bark of medicinal plants having anti-inflammatory, anti-degenerative and analgesic properties are filled and tied in a sterile cloth so as to form a bolus.

The selected herbal powders in accordance with the nature of the disease and dosha vitiation (antagonistic to the disease, disease pathology and dosha or dosha’s involved) are taken in sterile bowls.

The herbal powder or powders are put in non-stick pans.

Herbal oils (oils used for Abhyanga mentioned above) selected so as to suit (antagonistic) the disease and dosha involved in causing the pathology are taken in required quantities and put over the herbal powders (chopped) present in the pan

The powders are thoroughly fried in herbal oils

The herbal powder or powders which are fried and processed in the herbal oils are tied in a sterile cloth. The upper free ends of the clothes are tied with strong thick threads so as to form a bolus or Churna Pinda (powder bolus).

A couple of boluses are prepared for changing purposes (back up)

A pan is kept on the stove. The stove is ignited and kept in a mild flame. Medicated oils are poured in the pan and allowed to get hot.

The leaf bolus is dipped in warm oil; temperature of the bolus is tested and used for giving fomentation. Before rubbing the bolus over the afflicted painful body part of the patient, the bolus is wiped along the rim of the pan to rip off the excessive oil sticking to the bolus. If not, the excessive oil dripping from the bolus will spill all around and create inconvenience to the treatment procedure.

The bolus is rubbed on the affected part gently (as good as massaging with bolus).

Once the bolus gets cooled (as felt by touching the bolus with the hand), it is changed with another bolus which has been kept in the pan containing the oil. The bolus is repeatedly interchanged with the backup bolus throughout the treatment duration so as to maintain the constant temperature.
The procedure is repeatedly done for a period of 30-40 minutes.

Caution – Everyday the bolus is replaced or the powders are replaced with fresh powders for better effects and results.
The procedure is done till sweating occurs and the patient feels light and healthy or until the signs of proper fomentation have been achieved (Samyak Swinna or Swedana Lakshanas)

Signs of proper fomentation (Samyak Swinna or Samyak Swedana Lakshanas) –
शीत शूल व्यूपरमे स्तंभ गौरव निग्रहे।
संजाते मार्दवे च एव स्वेदनात् विरतिर्मता॥(सु.चि.१४/१३)
स्वेद स्रावो व्याधि हानिः लघुत्वं शीतार्थित्वं मार्दवः च आतुरस्य।
सम्यक् स्विन्ने लक्षणं प्राहुः एतान् मिथ्या स्विन्ने व्यत्यनेने एतदेव॥(सु.चि.३२/२३)
Sheeta shula vyooparame stambha gaurava nigrahe
Sanjaate maardave cha eva svedanaat viratirmataa (Ref – Sushruta Chikitsa 14/23)
Sveda sraavo vyaadhi haanihi laghutvam sheetaarthitvam maardavaha cha aaturasya
Samyak svinnae lakshanam praahuhu etaan mithyaa svinne vyatyyane etadeva (Ref – Sushruta Chikitsa 32/23)

Properly done sweating therapy brings about the below said signs –

• Sheetoparama – Pacification of coldness
• Shuloparama – Pacification of pain
• Stambha nigraha – reduction of stiffness
• Gaurava nigraha – reduction of the feeling of heaviness
• Maardava – smoothness of the body or body parts
• Sweda praadurbhaava – sweating of body or body parts subjected to fomentation
• Roga lakshana prashamanam – Pacification or reduction of the symptoms of the disease
• Sheetaartitvam – Liking towards taking cold foods and comforts

Care should also be taken so as to see that the patient is not subjected to excessive or deficit sweating

Parameters for improper / less sweating (Asamyak / Heena Swinna / Aswinna Lakshana) – In this the symptoms opposite to those explained in the Ati Swinna Lakshana are manifested i.e.

• Sheeto anuparama – no relief from the feeling of cold
• Shula anuparamam – non-pacification of pain
• Stambha anigraha – no relief from stiffness
• Gaurava anigraha – no relief from heaviness
• Amaardavam – lack of smoothness of the part
• Aswedam – absence of manifestation of sweat
• Alaghutvam – no feeling of lightness
• Vyadhi anupashama – no relief from disease

Parameters of excessive / over sweating (Ati Swinna Lakshana) –

• Pitta prakopa – aggravation of pitta
• Asra prakopa – aggravation of rakta
• Trushna – thirst
• Murcha – loss of consciousness
• Svara sadana – weakness of voice
• Anga sadana – weakness of the body
• Bhrama – giddiness
• Sandhi peeda – joint pains
• Jwara – fever
• Shyava-rakta mandala – brownish-red eruptions
• Chardi – vomiting

Paschat Karma

Paschat Karma (Post-treatment procedures):

• The body parts of the patient subjected to Churna Pinda Sweda is wiped with sterile cloth dipped and squeezed in warm salt water or wiped with tissue papers. The couch is also cleaned of the herbal powders.
• The patient is asked to relax for a while
• Snana – Patient is advised to take a refreshing hot water bath after going home or after a few hours if the patient is being handled as in-patient
• Nitya Virechana – Daily metered dose of purgation with purgative decoctions or oils like Gandharvahastadi Kashayam, Gandharvahastadi Eranda tailam, Nimbamritadi Eranda Tailam etc can be administered if a small amount of detoxification is essential on a daily basis or if morbid Dosha’s need to be tackled (optional and strictly based on the decision of the doctor)
• Vasti – Medicated enema’s can be combined with Patra Pinda Sweda especially in chronic conditions of OA etc diseases. A combination of Sneha Vasti (enemas with medicated oils and ghee) with Brihat Saindhavadi Taila or Guggulutiktakam Ghritam, Mahanarayana Tailam or Dhanwantaram tailam / mezhupakam / Sahacharadi tailam etc and Kashaya Vasti (Decoction enemas) with Erandamuladi Vasti or Dashamula Vasti or Mustadi Yapana Vasti is highly effective in Amavata and other musculoskeletal diseases. Lekhana Vasti’s (fat and kapha depleting enemas) can be done while managing obesity and diseases caused due to errors of fat metabolism which are causing stress on the bones, joints, soft tissues and muscles. These therapies can also be planned after finishing the course of Churna Pinda They can also be carried out in line with Churna Pinda Sweda

External and internal therapies / treatments can be planned individually or in combination depending on the severity of the disease and strength and tolerance of the patient.

Matra Vasti – daily metered doses of oil enema is given alongside Patra Pinda Sweda. Matra Vasti controls morbid Vata and Pitta, strengthens the bones, joints, muscles, soft tissues and soothes nerves.

• Discharge – The patient is discharged on daily basis (out-patient) or after the course has been completed (in-patient) after giving proper lifestyle and diet advices along with suitable medicines (oral). The patient is also advised to undergo the treatment twice or thrice in a year.

Duration, benefits

Duration of the course –
The number of days of treatment varies from 7-14 days depending on the nature and intensity of the disease

Benefits of Churna Pinda Sweda –

• Relieves pain, stiffness and swelling associated with arthritis and other painful conditions mentioned above
• Pacifies the morbidity of Vata, Pitta and Kapha in the afflicted joints, muscles and soft tissues
• Causes sweating and brings about lightness and a feeling of health in the afflicted joints, muscles and soft tissues
• Forms an effective combination with local treatments like Kati Vasti, Greeva Vasti, Abhyanga etc and fortifies the results w.r.t providing relief from pain and related conditions
• When combined with Nitya Virechana and or Vasti, Churna Pinda Sweda eliminates the body toxins, establishes health and tones up the joints and soft tissues
• Improves the movements of the joints
• Removes water retention in the tissues and effusion of joints
• Soothes the nerves and improves blood circulation

Contraindications

Contra-indications of Patra Pinda Sweda –

• Diabetes mellitus (can be done for a short period with caution, giving proper medicines to treat diabetes or in controlled and uncomplicated diabetes)
• High blood pressure (Hypertension)
• Severe varicosity of veins
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Fractures
• Fever
• Severe inflammation

Churna Pinda Sweda can be done with caution and under supervision in Diabetes and Hypertension if doing it is mandatory and no other better options are available. Care should be taken to see that there is no excessive sweating and resulting dehydration.

Limitations of Churna Pinda Sweda –
Churna Pinda Sweda is one of the best Ayurvedic treatments which is used in providing relief from pain and associated conditions related with Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Low back pain, Sciatica etc conditions. But on the other hand it is not a sole remedy in these conditions. Parallel to it we might have to add some disease modifying drugs and or compounds and effective treatments for better relief.

Parallel Ayurvedic medicines

Parallel Medications to expel morbid Doshas, strengthen and rejuvenate the joints and soft tissues (Diseases modifying medications) 

Kashaya’s (Herbal decoctions):

• Amruthottaram Kashayam
• Rasnadi Kashayam or Rasnaerandadi Kashayam
• Maharasnadi Kashayam
• Amavatari Kashayam
• Varanadi Kashayam
• Varadi Kashayam
• Punarnavadi Kashayam
• Guggulutiktakam Kashayam
• Sahacharadi Kashayam
• Sahacharabaladi Kashayam
• Kokilaksham Kashayam
• Rasnasaptakam Kashayam
• Rasnapanchakam Kashayam
• Guluchyadi Kashayam
• Gandharvahastadi Kashayam

Asava / Arishtam (herbal fermented liquids):

• Ashwagandharishtam
• Balarishtam
• Dashamularishtam
• Punarnavasavam
• Devadarvarishtam etc

Lehas and Rasayana’s (rejuvenators, herbal confections, anti-ageing medicines, immune-modulators) –

• Ashwagandha Rasayanam
• Ajashwagandhadi Rasayanam / Leham
• Kushmandam Rasayanam
• Chyavanaprasham
• Brahma Rasayanam etc

Ghritam and Tailam (medicated ghee and oils):

• Guggulutiktakam Ghritam
• Varanadi Ghritam
• Rasnadi Ghritam
• Dhanwantaram Ghritam
• Shunti Ghritam
• Ksheerabala tailam 101
• Dhanwantaram tailam 101
• Maharajaprasarini Tailam

Vati and Gulika (Tablets):

• Simhanada Guggulu
• Kanchanara Guggulu
• Kaishora Guggulu
• Yogaraja Guggulu
• Navaka Guggulu
• Trayodashanga Guggulu
• Mahavata vidhwamsini Ras
• Vatagajankusha Ras
• Amavatari Ras
• Vadavagni Ras
• Trimurti Ras
• Medohara Vidangadi Lauha
• Shallaki – Boswellia serrata

Churna (powders) –

• Shaddharana Churna
• Ajamodadi Churna
• Vaishwanara Churna
• Vardhamana Pippali
• Triphala Churna

Just before finish,
Churna Pinda Sweda is the best treatment which Ayurveda provides to tackle pain, swelling and catches related to Arthritis, Neuromuscular and Musculoskeletal disorders. All you need to do is to meet an experienced Ayurvedic doctor and put forth your problems. The doctor will help you to get fit and healthy. A proper diagnosis should be made before the treatment is planned. The best way of taking the treatment is to have it done under the supervision of the doctor.
Click to Consult Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ayu)