Chronic pain is a modern pandemic – in the United States, we are looking at an estimated annual costs of management – including healthcare expenses, lost income, and lost productivity – of more than a $100 billion! Chronic pain interferes with our daily lives and happiness, hampering our productivity. The American Academy of Pain Medicine distinguishes between acute and chronic pain. Acute pain is triggered by a (medical) condition, and once the cause is addressed, the pain subsides. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is difficult to address: “while acute pain is a normal sensation triggered in the nervous system to alert you to possible injury and the need to take care of yourself […] chronic pain persists. Pain signals keep firing in the nervous system for weeks, months, even years.” (http://www.painmed.org/files/facts-and-figures-on-pain.pdf)
Acute pain can originate in an injury — a fall; a sprained back; an infection, etc. Or there may be a medical condition at its origin — arthritis, cancer, an inflammatory or infectuous disease, etc. However, some people suffer chronic pain in the absence of any past injury or evidence of body damage. Some common chronic pain conditions include: headaches, lower back pain, generalized body aches; neurogenic pain (pain resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves or to the central nervous system itself); psychogenic pain (pain not due to past disease or injury or any visible sign of damage inside or outside the nervous system). Our attitude to chronic pain, and how we deal with it, is telling of our cultural customs.
Pain is a signal. It’s a message. It’s your body’s early warning system that something is wrong, so you can take steps to correct the problem. If you couldn’t feel pain, and you had your hand on a hot stove, for example, you wouldn’t know your hand was burning -because of pain, your brain gets the message to get your hand off the stove right away!
But we have been conditioned to think of pain as a nuisance, and to reach out for the strongest painkiller without hesitation. Do you know how painkillers do not “kill” pain? Nor relieve it? They simply stifle the messages our body is giving us. Pain relievers work with your cells, your body’s nerve endings, your nervous system, and your brain to keep you from feeling the pain. When any part of your body is injured or inflammed, special nerve endings in that area instantly send chemical signals/messages to your brain, to alert you of what is going on. Painkilling drugs interfere with these messages, either at the site of the injury, in the spinal cord, or in the brain itself. They keep the message from reaching your brain, or numb the brain centers from hearing the messages. So you don’t feel the pain. Sometimes life is such that we don’t have time to deal with pain, we just need to keep going with work and responsibilities, so swallowing that painkiller is fast and easy. However, we should find the root causes of our chronic pain and address them.
Chronic pain is a modern global epidemic, and a lot of it has to do with how we live and what we eat. But what can we do about that? Drown ourselves in a deluge to start a new world order, start fresh with a clean slate? Or, we could try to usher in some gentle daily routine and lifestyle changes….
The renewed interest in ancient plant-based healing sciences can help us improve our lives by teaching us gentle alternative methods of re-attunining ourselves with our bodies, resetting our rest and activity cycles to be in synch with the rhythms of Mother Nature. In this sense, Ayurveda can be a treasure trove of information. Ayurveda can help us determine the type of pain as well as its origin, offering us a number of gentle alternative and herbal formulations. Understanding pain fully can help us address it fully – keep in mind that when you have pain, it is best to consult with your medical doctor first and foremost. Any alternative modalities, as presented in this article, are only for educational purposes, and should not be perused to self-diagnose or self-treat, and in lieu of proper medical care. However, educating yourself about how your body responds to the environment and to food, and rest and activity routines can prove to be invaluable benefit. I’ve personally helped countless individuals successfully address different types of pain by helping them correct their lifestyle and diets.
Pain According to Ayurveda: Nij vs Agantuj
Several ancient shastras – ayurvedic texts – categorize pain in different terms based on the type, source, and location of pain.
In general, the texts give two broad categories, nij and agantuj.
1. NIJ: biological or internal pain that originates from within the body. This could be due to doshic imbalances or accumulation, toxic build-up, inflammation, etc. A sedentary lifestyle, ongoing mental stress, a poor diet, etc., can all contribute to bodily imbalances that can result in pain.
2. AGANTUJ: pain that originates from outside the body, for example, xenobiotics as in exposure to toxic chemical fumes found in cleaning household products; external events that cause mental and emotional trauma; EMF or other electromagnetic fields that disrupt the physiology’s subtle flow of prana, as well as clog and damage the physical channels, tissues, and organs; etc.
Based on the hetu of the pain, etiological factors, pain can be located in four possible areas of our bodies:
in the shrotas or physical channel
in the nadi-s vibrational channels
in the angas, organs and organ systems
in the dhatus or tissues
Ayurvedic shastras say that dis-ease goes through distinct periods of development before it reaches its final 6th irreversible stage and fully materializes as an incurable condition. Similarly, unaddressed minor pain travels from one dhatu or tissue to another, diving deeper into the physiology, until it becomes chronic and sometimes impossible to manage without drugs or surgical intervention. The deeper the pain is allowed to travel, the more difficult it becomes to treat. When any pathogenic factor crosses meda dhatu (fat) and reaches the bone marrow, it sets the stage for advanced clinical conditions such as cancer, or auto-immune conditions. Then it becomes very difficult to manage even with the most powerful pain management modalities of modern medicine.
Besides these two broad categories, Ayurveda also classifies pain in terms of its properties. Pain can be one of the following:
1. Vedana: Vedana translates as “unpleasant knowing.”
2. Shoola: Sharp, pulsating, throbbing pain
3. Toda: Deep, dull constant pain
Pain and its Hetu in SVA
In SV Ayurveda we categorize pain according to the hetu – causative factors:
• Vataja: By vata dosha
• Pittaja: By pitta dosha
• Kaphaja: By kapha dosha
• Dwandaja: By two-dosha combinations – VK, VP, KV, KP
• Tri-doshaja: By all three doshas
• Abhighataja: Trauma or injury to the tissues
• Manas-aja: By psychological factors
• Ama: By channel blocking toxins
• Amavisha: By reactive toxins
• Garvisha: By xenobiotics (environmental toxins from outside body)
• Indravajrabhijanyavisha: By EMF/EMR/RF (disruption of nadis and sandhis by vibrational toxins)
In general, superficial generalized body ache and pain means blockage or inflammation in the rasa (plasma) and rakta (blood) channels or nadi-s, sandhi-s, whereby marma points become compromised. Muscle pain (mamsa) can be more serious, but still quite manageable. Consequently, we limit our discussion of pain to include up to the mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue.)
In all types of pain, SVA first focuses on isolating and identifying the specific hetu (etiological factors) for each individual.
Vataja
Vata easily becomes aggravated from stress, EMFs, physical fatigue, dehydration, malnutrition, overuse of the senses, dry or drying food, improper daily routine, skipping meals, not sleeping on time, cold windy weather, etc. Vata can also become aggravated if there is a deficiency of a specific nutrient that is required by the body. Vata body types have a tendency toward high vata. Above 50, everyone moves into a vata time of life, causing vata to increase even more easily.
Vata impacts the nadis (vibrational channels) and their coordination with the srotas (physical channels.) In vataja pain – as in all other types of pain – agni is involved in the samprapti (pathogenis.) Vata imbalance causes vishmagni – sometimes low agni, sometimes high agni. When low, ama gets made. When high, amavisha gets made directly. Whatever the adhisthan (prime site of aggravation or deposition) ama and amavisha cause pain. Simple ama causes toda (stiffness,) in the shoulders, for example. Amavisha in the same area, for example, would cause shoola pain (burning and inflammation.)
General management: First, avoid the hetu. Pacify vata with SVA dietary and lifestyle recommendations. Maintain a regular routine. The calming effect of regular routine cannot be over-emphasized. Go to bed early, and never skip or delay meals. Better to eat smaller, more frequent meals. Avoid cold, windy weather conditions. Adequate intake of high-quality protein each day is essential for vata balancing. I recommend daily use of Vegan Protein Powder.
For local pain, there will almost always be a mix of ama and amavisha. We have to pacify vata, burn ama, bind and neutralize amavisha as well as open the nadis and srotas: all this without creating additional inflammation. We have easy steps:
1. Apply DGL Transdermal Cream (or roll-on) on the affected area first
2. Apply Super Sport Transdermal Cream (or roll-on) next
3. Swipe the lower back 7 times with DGL and next Super Sport (opens shushumna nadi for overall pranic flow to all organs and systems.)
4. Self-massage with SVA Vata Abhyanga Oil with Magnesium and Vit D
SVA clients love Super Sport and have given many testimonials on how effectively it handles aches and pains, for example:
The Super Sport product is magical – it is great at relieving pain and providing increased flexibility in joints, muscles, and other body parts. I have offered it to others who have likewise been amazed at how well it works. A golfing friend used it on his knees and had his first pain-free round in 20 years (and he always medicates with ibuprofen or other drugs before playing). Needless to say, he has ordered his own Super Sport container. More Super-Sport Testimonials on www.chandika.com
Pittaja
Pitta easily becomes aggravated by stress, spicy foods, skipping or delaying meals, hot weather, excess sour & salty tastes, trying to meet deadlines, anger, hot baths, staying up late, alcohol, etc. Pitta time of life (mid-life) also contributes to increase of pitta.
The teekshnagni (sharp agni) of pitta creates amavisha and inflammation in the channels and organs. In this situation, the pranic flow of nadis gets disturbed due to agneya (full of agni) nature of amavisha. The result is shoola, burning, throbbing, and radiating pain.
General management: Follow pitta pacifying diet and behavior. Favor cooling, soothing foods, cooked only with mild non-pungent spices. Go to bed on time – no later 9:45pm. Watch any tendency to overwork yourself. Avoid too much sun and hot weather. Be moderate in all you do. Transdermally, first apply DGL TD, then Flex ’n Flow Cream or Body Mist on affected muscles. (Avoid the face and other sensitive areas.) DGL will cool the inflammation and balance the thermogenic energy of Flex ’n Flow. Flex ’n Flow will further relief pain by unclogging and supporting the flow of prana in the nadis and srotas. Moreover, it will support and enhance the interaction between the physical and vibrational channels. Self-massage with Pitta Massage Oil with Magnesium
Kaphaja
Kapha becomes aggravated by heavy foods/oily foods; too much sweet and salty foods; cold, damp weather; sedentary lifestyle; over eating; and too much sleep. Kapha time of life, childhood to early adulthood, is also a factor.
Kapha creates manda (dull agni) in early stages with toda (dull, constant pain.) (Long standing ama eventually becomes amavisha.) Kapha, and ama, clog the srotas in different organs and systems, particularly the lungs, brain, kidneys, and throat. Kapha and ama may also affect the muscles and joints.
General management: Avoid those foods mentioned in excess; get adequate exercise, stay warm in cold weather, watch your sugar and fat consumption. No sleep during the daytime. If you are feeling inordinately tired, sit up in a comfortable position and meditate for 20 minutes. For pain, we base our management on the adhisthan – the source. Cough and Cold Transdermal Cream for example helps to clear away the ama of throat and upper lungs. We can also use Tribindu by inhaling in the air or sprayed on a piece of tissue. Tribindu can also be sprayed on the hands and swiped down the lower spine to unclog the spinal energy flow. Tribindu is thermogenic. Be careful: if you tend to have white/caucasian skin, even with high kapha, you have more pitta in the skin and therefore tendency to pitta imbalance – use even Tribindu with caution: do a test on a small patch of skin to see if you react to it or not. Although kapha needs agneya products, we cannot always use them. If Tribindu irritates your skin in any way, first apply DGL and then Tribindu. Flex ’n Flow swiped down the spine also works very well to uncloud kapha. Self-massage with either Turmeric & Magnesium Massage Oil or with Magnesium Body Massage Oil with Ashwagandha
Dwandaja (pain caused by two doshas)
Dual dosha pain is more complex. When any two symptoms are present, then you have to address one at a time. Again, avoid the hetus aggravating those doshas. Focus on your predominant symptom at a given time. For example, let’s consider VK (Vata and Kapha) pain. Early to mid-morning (6-10am) kapha predominates. You may want to add some ginger, and/or black pepper to your early morning tea at that time to balance kapha. In the afternoon, a nice self-massage with Vata Massage Oil with Magnesium and Vit D might be called for. For all types of dwandaja you can help by following a balanced SVA diet cooked with one of my spice mixes according to the predominate imbalances. My SVA Green Protein recipe is especially useful to eat for most any combination of doshic imbalances.
Tri-doshaja
Tri-doshaja pain means symptoms of all three doshas together all the time. This type produces both inflammation (shoola), stiffness (toda), and the pain goes fast to the deeper tissues faster with more virulent manifestation of amavisha. Generally, this condition is very complicated. It is best to consult with your SVA practitioner.
Abhighataja
Trauma and injury creates an obstruction in the physical and vibrational channels. For minor to moderate injuries (no open wounds) we can self-manage abhighataja up to the muscles tissue level. For example, muscle sprain or strain. First apply DGL TD. We use this first because bhrajaka pitta of the skin gets aggravated by any trauma. DGL will cool the skin. Then, we can apply Super-Sport TD or roll-on. Or, we can apply Flex’n Flow Cream or Flex’n Flow Body Mist to the affected area. For even greater management, apply the new Triple Action Synergy Transdermal Cream (or lotion) after these two products.
Manas-aja
For psychological, or mental and emotional pain, we have several products: Stress-Free Oral Mist; the Samadhi Set; Mahavedana Shanti Herbal Memory Nectar. Also, self-massage with Magnesium Body Massage Oil with Ashwagandha provides adaptogenic energy to handle physical, mental, and emotional stress. Use as directed on the label of each product – you can read more on www.chandika.com.
Ama, Amavisha, & Garvisha
Ama blocks the channels, causing pain. Amavisha inflames the channels, causing pain. For both types, follow a SVA diet: avoid all nightshades, larger beans, canned and boxes foods, & left-overs. Use only Soma Salt. Regular salt will retain more toxins creating further blockages and inflammation and resulting in greater pain. Follow the hetu management according to the doshas that are accumulating the toxins. If garavisha (xenobiotics) are involved any pain, you will find more intense inflammation and the toxins (and pain) will travel faster from tissue to tissue. Most of the time, garvisha symptoms are indicative of a medical condition. Do not treat yourself. See a SVA expert. And contact your primary care provider.
Indravajrabhijanyavisha
EMF/EMR/RF by themselves can create bodily imbalances that result in inflammatory pain. Vibrational toxins can also exacerbate any other type of pain already present in the body, by disrupting the flow of healing prana to a tissue, organ, or organ-system. Learn how to manage these toxins by reading my SVA Electromagnetic Toxins Booklet Applying Flex’n Flow Cream down your lower spine will immediately help most any pain caused by vibrational toxins.
Other SVA Formulations for Pain Management
Triple Action Synergy – Tridoshic Advanced Thermogenesis, Opens & Clears Physical Channels
Triple Action Synergy is very special cream which works on any doshas up to the mamsa dhatu or muscle tissue. Triple Action Synergy works by offering a natural way to help the body relieve pain and assist it in addressing inflammation long term when used in conjunction with SVA dietary guidelines. Triple Action comes in transdermal Shea Butter based cream and water-based lotion form. The transdermal cream (lipid-based) gives slow, sustained, delivery. It goes to all lipid areas of the cellular system. The water-based cream has faster action, but shorter delivery. It goes to all water based areas of the cellular system. Both products offer triple action benefits.
1. Naturally supports the body’s pain relief mechanisms
2. Aids the body in relief of inflammation long term (with SVA dietary guidelines)
3. Nurtures the bones and helps cartilage in the long-term
Use and Precautions: For best results, first apply Flex ‘n Flow Cream Flex’n Flow has high concentration of Prasarani to open the nadis (vibrational channels) and the sandhis (gaps.) It calms down the nervous system. Using Flex’n Flow first will ensure faster better results.
If you are extreme pitta or prone to pitta imbalance, use DGL Transdermal Cream first, before applying the Triple Action Synergy. If any burning sensation is experienced afterwards, stop using it.
Flex ‘N Flow Cream, Flex’n Flow Roll-0n, and Flex’n Flow Body Mist: all support pain relief because they open reception and delivery of prana along with the intelligence of how much soma, how much agni is needed in whatever organs and systems are involved in the pain. They awaken the intelligence of the body’s own healing power. They are great for all pain generally.
Mahavedana Shanti Cream and Mahavedana Shanti Herbal Memory Nectar: The ancient Ayurvedic texts say, “No pain without vata aggravation.” Apply this cream where needed for vatagenic pain and deep thermogenesis. Vata dosha governs all movement in the body. When vata cannot move, when the physical channels (shrotas) are blocked, then pain is experienced. This cream when applied topically, penetrates to the deep tissues and warms them. As it warms the area, the shrotas (physical channels) begin to open and vata can begin to move again. As blocked vata is released, the pain eases.
The cream and the Herbal-Memory Nectar can be used in any of the categories of pain. Use the Herbal Memory Nectar by putting 2 – 5 drops in one cup of high pH spring water. It can be taken like this up to four times per day. The drops can even be used by pitta types with shoola. The Maha Vedana Shanti Cream however is definitely contraindicated in extreme pitta inflammatory conditions.
Specific Pain
a) Joint pain is common and can result from a wide variety of causes. Always address the hetu and seek medical care where needed. For mild cases, this protocol can be helpful. Apply 1) DGL; 2) Triple Action Synergy; and 3) Mahakanchanar. Apply in exactly this order at least twice a day – morning and evening – and then as needed during the day as well.
b) Calf Muscle Pain: Amavisha and garvisha accumulate and obstruct the calf muscles quite often, as circulation to the extremeties tends to be slower. We apply on the calf muscles swiping outwards toward the feet: 1) Flex ‘n Flow 2) Anushudhi Detox Cream. Flex’n Flow opens the nadis to the area and makes them more intelligent. Anushudhi acts to remove the toxins. This protocol works great for mild to moderate pain.
c) General Body Aches & Pains, including lower back pain, shoulder pain and stiff neck pain: these result from an accumulation of different doshic imbalances and there’s nothing like a relaxing bath with Detox & Relax Bath Pouches or my SVA Rasayana Bath Pouches to help ease away the pain and teh stress. These pouches soothe away aches by opening the physical channels and by removing toxins from the tissues. Vata & Kapha types should use Detox & Relax Bath Pouches. Pitta types should use the milder SVA Rasayana Bath Pouches. Read Bathe to Detox
Caution: Detoxing with an herbal bath can cause loss of electrolytes. If you feel weak and thirsty after bathing, you MUST make the rehydration drink (pg. 46 of Home Detox Manual) on the day you use the pouches.
SVA Marma Protocols
Whenever there has been a condition of long-standing chronic pain in the body, the marmas (energy points) corresponding to that organ, tissue, or system get impacted as well. Likewise, trouble in the marmas can itself lead to pain. We can manage with marma chikitsa (therapy) by applying Triple Action Synergy on the affected marmas. Based on the location of the pain, chose the marmas in the diagram closely corresponding. But Do Not apply on face, head, heart, or other sensitive areas. With your ring finger, apply your cream and rotate finger on the point(s) 7 – 14 times. Then hold the point(s) 15 – 30 seconds. (Graduates of the SVA Pulse and Marma Course are invited to correlate symptoms dhatu-wise with doshas and toxins and proceed accordingly with marma therapy.)
