Achy and creaky joints are pretty common. There are many reasons for achy joints, it could be osteoarthritis which we often associate with “wear and tear”, rheumatoid arthritis or injuries to the ligaments or cartilage. The strain on the joint can be another issue.

Many of these symptoms arise the longer we have lived. For example, osteoarthritis generally develops after the mid-40s according to the NHS. And is more prevalent in females.

Is joint pain really due to wear and tear?

Let’s look at the example of osteoarthritis developing in females mid 40+. This is the time when we have lived, moved around, and hopefully been active. We are also at an age where our hormones change which can affect the surrounding muscles of the joints as well as the connective tissues.

Yet, “wear and tear“ may not be the right term because quite often being active and moving the joints actually supports lubrication. Exercise also strengthens, stabilises and creates mobility of muscles around the affected joint or joints.

Joint health in yoga

In yoga, there is a series of movements called pawanmuktasana. There are exercises for all the joints as well as perhaps the more famous abdominal exercise. The exercises are very simple. Just mobilising the joints. 

The pawanmuktasana series is translated as the wind-releasing exercises. This makes sense for abdominal exercises… they can certainly release trapped wind!

But from a yoga and ayurvedic perspective this is so much more.

In ayurveda and yoga wind or air is one of the five great elements along with earth, water, fire and space/ether.

When wind/air and space/ether come together they form vata dosha. The qualities of vata include movement, dryness, coolness, roughness, light and subtle. Vata is also associated with pain.

In the pawanmuktasana practices, we release excess wind or vata. Whether it’s trapped in the intestines or it manifests in dry, creaky painful joints.

Oil up and lubricate creaky joints

If vata may cause achy joints then we can bring in some lubrication. Lubricate by mindful movement and exercise. And lubricate by applying oils to the joints. Oils have the exact opposite qualities to vata so they counteract any excess vata dosha. The sense of touch also has vata-reducing qualities which means massaging in calm gentle strokes or circular motions is another benefit.

There are many oils you can use and if you do have specific joint issues you may check with an ayurvedic practitioner to find the right one for you.

I use a specifically vata-reducing oil (Shine Vata Oil by Osi Oil - you can get a discount using ANJA10), Mahanarayan oil is excellent for joints and muscles and sesame oil (not toasted sesame - just normal!) is another useful oil for most people.

And for those of us in that “female mid-40+ bracket” (and males too) this is when we come into our vata-age according to Ayurveda. Meaning that vata will naturally be more prominent at this time. Even more reasons to lubricate and oil up.

How to use oil massage for your joint health

• Find a comfortable warm space where you can sit with ease

• Warm up the oil. Add a little oil to a container/cup, and sit the cup in hot water or the radiator until nice and warm.

• Warm up your hands with the oil.

• Apply to any achy joint in a circular motion.

• Massage with ease and intuition. This is more about applying oil than working the muscles.

• Wrap you warm and let the oils do their work.

Enjoy the touch, and massage with love. For 10% off your Osi Oils order, please use discount code ANJA10 at checkout.