Rheumatoid Arthritis | Sukhavati Ayurvedic Retreat & Spa

What is RA?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is considered to be a disease characterised by an accumulation of toxins and a malfunction of the immune system.

It comes from a significantly high level of toxin build-up combined with equally high levels of inflammation and acidity in the body. Both the toxins and inflammation lodge in the joints of the body, resulting in localised inflammatory response, swelling and pain. The toxins make their way through the body’s many channels and compromise the body’s immunity. The swelling and pain combined with the auto-immunity caused by the build-up of toxins are at the core of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The Ayurvedic Perspective to RA Treatment

Ayurvedic treatment can significantly reduce the debilitating symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis, although it is largely dependent on the general severity of symptoms. It can help prevent RA from getting worse, and can also reduce the need for pharmaceutical medication.

If the pain is of average severity, these modalities can help reverse the disease process, possibly even resulting in a state of remission. This is due to the fact that the condition is highly understood from an Ayurvedic perspective, with treatment able to be directly applied in order to combat the root cause of the disease. A stay at Sukhavati, where you can participate in our Ayurvedic programs, is essential to healing and managing RA.

Sukhavati’s RA Program

At Sukhavati, we administer an effective combination of a correct diet, herbal supplementation, treatments such as massage and localised treatments for pain management, and stress-relieving tools like Meditation and Yoga. These work in conjunction with each other to facilitate effective healing and aid long term management of RA.

Here are some essential components of our RA program at Sukhavati:

First and foremost is the strengthening and improving of digestive function, where we endeavour to heal any intestinal permeability or address issues of dysbiosis if they are present. We will also eliminate toxins and re-calibrate the body’s immune response to address auto-immunity.

To attain the best possible results, as part of our Panchakarma program it is essential to undergo a deep cleanse and rejuvenation process. This profound detoxifying cleanse addresses all of the vital processes to ensure a healthy modification of the human physiology. The process of detoxification removes any toxins embedded in the physiology and deep tissues of the body.

This program essentially minimises the microbial load, restores the digestive tract flora and epithelial barrier (intestinal permeability), and facilitates the release of toxic compounds that would otherwise provide instability to normal immune function.

Toxins of both the environmental (pollution, heavy metals, pesticides and recreational/some medical drugs) and endogenous (gut dysbiosis) variety openly instigate immune activation and inflammation. This affects mitochondrial integrity and decreases immune tolerance, all of which contribute to immune dysfunction and chronic disease.

By determining and acknowledging the root cause, this detox program promotes healing in a much shorter timeframe, significantly reducing the risk of relapse.

By following a carefully planned diet prepared by our Ayurvedic doctor, there is the possibility of experiencing significant improvements concerning any inflammation, pain, swelling and stiffness. Our doctor will tailor your individualised diet following your initial appointment.

A diet designed for facilitating healing from chronic disease is solely based on natural, unprocessed foods. It will include sufficient vegetarian protein and essential fatty acid supplies, as well as ample prebiotic compounds (foods which support the gut microbiome) for immune health.

In this instance, our RA diet is wholesome and nutritious, alkalising and anti-inflammatory. We achieve this by removing certain foods from the diet:

A percentage of RA patients experience a significant response to a nightshade-free diet. These foods include capsicum, eggplant, tomato, and white potato.
Extreme levels of animal protein (particularly red meat), refined sugars, gluten, casein (dairy) and food additives/chemicals have demonstrated the ability to alter the inflammatory potential of the entire system and to destabilise immunity. This can result in auto-immunity and a decreased ability to heal. Therefore, these are all eliminated from our diet plans.
Foods that can cause acidity and inflammation, such as fried, stimulating, pungent, sour or salty foods and drinks (including red meat, fermented foods, alcohol, coffee, chilli, acidic foods) are all removed from our diets.

By engaging in daily exercise as part of our program, you will help to maintain muscle strength and joint flexibility, build up stamina, and manage pain. Low-impact aerobic activities that would be considered suitable include exercising in water, swimming, gentle Yoga, cycling and walking.

A review of nine studies determined that Yoga may be a valuable therapeutic tool for RA, improving “psychological and physiological” outcomes of arthritis. (Giuseppe, 2015)

Meditation is highly useful for balancing immunity, managing stress and alleviating pain. You can officially learn to meditate at Sukhavati. Please discuss this with our reservations officer when booking your program or speak to the office staff during your stay.

If you would like to enquire about learning to meditate during your time at Sukhavati, please speak with one of our reservation officers today.

Our Meditation course is a 4-Day Program (two hours per day) and can be taught at our head office in Melbourne, Australia or at Sukhavati, Bali during your program. The Ayurvedic Program does not include the cost of learning to meditate and to learn we recommend you discuss and organise this with our reservations officer, before checking in. If you would like to enquire about learning to meditate during your time at Sukhavati, please speak with one of our reservation officers today.

Inclusions
Rates

1 Night Private Villa Accommodation
Ayurvedic consultation with our resident Ayurvedic Doctor
90 minutes of comprehensive daily prescribed Ayurvedic treatments tailored by our Ayurvedic Doctor
Twice daily yoga sessions
Freshly prepared Ayurvedic dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Fresh Juices and Herbal Teas
Fruit basket upon arrival
Return airport or hotel transfers
Complimentary bike hire
Complimentary Wi-Fi internet connection