Ayuveda the ancient medical system terms old age as "Vardhakya" which begins from the age of sixty, as it is in age, the process of degeneration begins, and the body succumbs to various pain, both in mind and body.
Holistic science suggests along with medications for combating the diseases, a will power to accept the unpleasant changes in the body also plays a major role in combating diseases/pains.
From an ayurvedic perspective, vata which is the principle factor for initiating body functions like locomotion, respiration, excretion, metabolism, digestion etc., gets aggravated during old age and hence the normal functions of the body gets disrupted. As a result there is a massive change in the psychological, physiological and pathological aspects in the body. These days most senior citizens are increasingly prone to various diseases like hypertension, diabetes which leads to chronic pain in their body.
Various factors contribute towards aggravating vata during old age, like physical stress and strain, irregular food habits, nutritional imbalances and so on. Along with this, there is the natural feeling of insecurity that creeps in during old age. The elderly people require love and affection from their kith and kin in order to remain psychologically fit.
Rasayana therapy along with the following points are to be considered by the elderly people to cope up with all the physical and psychological pains/discomforts.
Diet- A balanced diet like Green leafy vegetables, carrot, apple, gooseberry and orange are rich sources of antioxidants is very essential as it plays an important role in alleviating pain that are caused due to diet imbalance.
Lifestyle - Ayurveda suggests a daily routine in accordance with laws of nature (prakruti) for preventing any sort pain as one gets older.
Herbal oil massage - helps in controlling vata, increases blood circulation and removes toxins from the body.
Also it is equally important that in daily routine, yoga, aerobics exercises, simple walking or meditation, should definitely be incorporated as it increase immunity of the body according to individual's constitution which promotes blood circulation, burns calories and reduces stress thereby reduces pain.
