Ayurvedic Strategies for Managing Psoriatic Arthritis [Vatarakta] - A Case Study

Psoriatic arthritis [PsA] is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease that impacts the skin, joints, and entheses. In 60-70% of cases, psoriasis precedes joint disease in 15-20% of cases, In India the prevalence has been reported as 8.7%. In Ayurveda, PsA can be compared with Vatarakta. Vata and Rakta Dosha play a significant role in Vatarakta. However, it’s important to note that the pathogenesis of Vatarakta involves an amalgamation of deeper Dhatu. A 48-year-old female patient presented with the complaints of severe itching, pinkish rashes characterized by silvery scaling behind the right ear and over the chest, which had persisted for four years. Additionally, the patient experienced pain and stiffness in the joints of her hands [specifically, PIP & DIP joints] and lower back for the past two months. Despite having previously undergone various topical and oral treatments, there were no discernible signs of improvement. The patient was diagnosed with PsA, and subsequently treated with a regimen included Shodhana, Shamana, and Pathya-Apathya. After undergoing Classical Ayurvedic management, the patient experienced improvement in symptoms. In Ayurveda by addressing the root cause through Shodhana, Shamana and Pathya-Apathya offers valuable insights for managing PsA.