Ayurveda is a very ancient Indian system of holistic medicine that was systematized around 1500
BC but probably originated over 5,000 years ago. It is based on the idea that health stems from a
harmony of mind, body, and spirit. There are said to be three energies, or doshas, that are
present in the body, similar to the four humors of medieval Western
medicine. Pain usually results from an excess of vata
dosha, which controls physical sensations and
the nervous system, as well as emotions
such as fear, anxiety, and stress.
Ayurvedic medicine combines diet
changes, yoga, breathing
exercises, medicinal herbs,
massage, and transcendental
meditation in regimens specially
tailored to suit the particular
imbalance at the root of the
problem. Today, about 15 million
people in the U.S. practice yoga
along with breathing exercises and
meditation, one million of them
because of back pain. Although yoga
is most frequently practiced to relieve
back pain because it strengthens
muscles in the area, it is also
employed for osteoarthritis,
carpal tunnel syndrome,
fibromyalgia, migraines, and
other chronic pain because it
may encourage bodily awareness
and acceptance, breaking
the cycle of pain.