Ayurveda for arthritis and joint pain in San Ramon

Stiff fingers in the morning, knees that complain on stairs, or swelling that comes and goes with the weather: joint pain takes many forms, and arthritis has several types. Preeti Gupta at Minute Wonder Ayurveda in San Ramon supports daily habits and gentle therapies alongside your rheumatologist or physician.

Preeti does not diagnose pathological conditions from a Western perspective, so her work sits alongside the care of your physician and never replaces it.

What Ayurveda looks at

Ayurveda ties joints to vata, and joints that feel heavy or swollen to kapha and ama. Preeti looks at:

• The character of the pain: dry and cracking, hot and red, or heavy and swollen.

• Digestion, since Ayurveda blames undigested residue (ama) for joints that feel heavy and stiff.

• Movement, warmth and weight through the day.

What a First Visit covers

A First Visit is 90 minutes ($250). Preeti reviews your daily routine, diet, digestion, exercise and sleep, using a health history, pulse analysis and tongue diagnosis. For arthritis and joint pain, expect time on:

• Your diagnosis, the type of arthritis if known, and all medicines and supplements.

• Mornings, evenings and weather: when your joints are at their worst.

• Which warm oil therapies are safe, such as Janu Basti for the knees or Abhyanga, and which should wait during a flare.

You leave with a written diet, herbal and lifestyle plan. Follow-ups are $125 for 60 minutes. See pricing.

What you can start this week

Two recipes built on warm, easy-to-digest ingredients:

• Mung bean dal. Cooked with ghee, ginger and turmeric. Her page says mung beans are easy to digest this way.

• How to make ghee. Ghee is the cooking fat in most of her recipes, and this page walks through making it at home.

See your physician first if

• A hot, red, swollen joint, especially with fever.

• Morning stiffness lasting over an hour, or pain in several joints with fatigue.

• Any thought of stopping or lowering arthritis medicine, including steroids or biologics. Talk to your doctor first.

Common questions about arthritis and joint pain

What is Janu Basti?

Warm medicated oil held in a small reservoir over the knee for about 20 to 30 minutes. Her page describes it as soothing the muscles and improving circulation to the area, and it is not suited to severe injury, inflammation or infection there.

Can I do this alongside my rheumatologist's care?

Yes. Preeti works alongside your doctor and asks for your medicine list. Her About page mentions support alongside autoimmune care. Keep your rheumatologist informed of any change.

Will oil massage make swelling worse?

It can in some flares, which is why Preeti checks how active your joints are before choosing a therapy. Tell her about heat, redness or swelling before you book.

Ayurveda is a traditional system of wellness and is not a substitute for medical care. Content here is educational. Please consult your physician about any medical condition. Preeti Gupta is not licensed by the State of California as a healing arts practitioner; Ayurvedic services are complementary to the care of licensed providers.