Part 17: Knee pit
21 Yoga Practices For Body Flexibility
Knee pain is a common ailment among people above 50 years of age. However, due to inappropriate diet, lack of exercises, and body weakness, some people tend to experience knee pain even in their early 30s. One might hear a crackling sound at the knee joint when the knee is bent or stretched out. The ailing person may feel the pain without any apparent reason, but there are several possible root causes for this.
Knee pit is the area just found at the back of the knee. While the reason for knee pain could range from fluid accumulation to arthritis, knee pit pain happens mainly because of a cyst formation, known as baker’s cyst, due to accumulation of fluid. It may or may not be visible, but the effect of its presence is the reason for the constant pain at the back of the knee. If the Venus return is not happening properly, there could be formation of blood clots, resulting in the knee pit pain. This could further lead to the issue of varicose vein. At that stage, elevation of leg with breathing would be the best remedy.
Watch this simple yoga therapy demonstration to ease knee pit pain.
If a lock is left without lubrication, rust formation will lead to friction in its operation. Most people know how to handle the lock to make it operate again — application of oil and repeated movement of the lock in a methodical manner will bring the lock back to life.
Similarly, our body has many joints. If they are not handled properly, easy movement may not be possible due to friction in the joints. Our ancient medical therapy has a branch called aromatherapy, where essential oils from medicinal plants are applied to alleviate joint pain. These essential oils have a specific aroma, and this, coupled with the chemical combination of the oil can do wonders for joint pain. Normally, these oils are mixed (2 to 3 drops) with a carrier oil (coconut oil normally) and applied gently over the area of interest. By lubricating the joints for a considerable period of time (around 40 days), one can observe the change in the mobility.
Usage of oil and type of oil may vary depending upon the nature of the problem, such as arthritis, weakness, or pain due to inflammation. The suitable oil should be used by consulting with an Ayurvedic doctor.
There are some medicinal plants like Balloon vine or adamant creeper which are anti inflammatory in nature. By making chutney out of these leaves and consuming on a regular basis as part of our food, the knee pain can be managed.
In South India, there is a prevailing practice of taking oil bath twice a week. According to convention, two specific days of the week were designated for both men and women to have oil bath — Tuesdays and Fridays, and Wednesdays and Saturdays respectively. There was a system in practice to live in tune with nature and maintain the health of the body. Deworming was done twice a year. Unnecessary junk food was not a part of the food intake. Processed food other than sun-dried papads were not consumed. Moreover, feast days were balanced by fasting days.
There is a link between the food we consume and how our body functions. Food made at home, prepared with love and affection has a healing capacity of its own. Though we order food from outside to suit our fast-paced lifestyle, the tension that begins at the kitchen of the restaurant to satisfy the customer continues till the order reaches the consumer via the delivery boy, who wades through heavy traffic. One may eat the delivered food in a relaxed manner, but the subtle effect of the tension that clings to the food being delivered in this drawn out process cannot be undone. There is a great science behind this. According to our ancestors, food itself is medicine, if consumed properly with due awareness.
