Introduction to Sports Medicine with Ayurveda

• Movement
• 5 mins
• August 9, 2023
• Dr Rashel Miracle Rego, M.S (Ayu), I-AIM
• Ayurveda, Sport Therapy

Reviewed By: Dr Shona Prabhu, M.Sc

Ayurveda does not use steroids to enhance performance and will never fall under the shadow of doping, which is popular in sports circles. Moreover, Ayurveda treats most injuries without invasive surgical procedures and has proven to be highly effective for the treatment of injuries to soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons, and meniscus. Since the procedures are mostly non-invasive, there is minimal scarring, tissue regeneration is faster, and the injured sportsperson gets back to the field quickly after treatment.

If we consider the stone ages, we can see that sports initially developed as a form of combat and warfare which was necessary for survival. As the years progressed, contests began to be held which marked the beginning of Sports as an area to exhibit one’s physical strength. In India, right from the Vedic period, we find that people were expected to be well-trained in archery, swimming, military games, sword fighting, horse-chariot racing, wrestling, and hunting. This was seen in other parts of the world as well especially Greece, where sports was first instituted formally, with the first Olympic games recorded in 776 B.C. With sports, the injuries followed, right from the simple sprain and cramps to the deadly concussion and head injuries. This led to the development of sports and exercise medicine as a specialty today.

Sports medicine, also known as Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM), is a branch of medicine that deals with physical fitness and the prevention and treatment of injuries related to sports and exercise. It is only since the 20th century that this has emerged as a distinct field of healthcare. The doctor trained in Sports and exercise medicine is a specialist Orthopeadician who has extensive training and education in musculoskeletal medicine. SEM consultants also deliver clinical physical activity interventions, negating the burden of disease directly attributed to physical inactivity and the compelling evidence for the effectiveness of exercise in the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of disease. Also, these doctors are frequently involved in promoting the benefits of physical activity, exercise, and sports medicine for individuals and communities. 

Ayurveda: Optimal Exercise Practices and References to Sports Injury Treatment

Exercise (Vyayama) has been given great importance in the daily regimen (Dinacharya). A person who follows this regimen will have the lightness of the body, improved agility, a fit and strong body, improved metabolism, and reduced fat tissue. Great care has to be taken by a person following Vyayama as there are specific rules on how it needs to be followed; it can be done for a longer duration in the cold climate and spring but should be done moderately in other seasons. One has to always exercise half of one’s capacity even if he/she is strong and eats oily food. After exercise, an oil application on the body (Deha mardana) needs to be done but is strictly contraindicated in very young children, old people, and the ones suffering from diseases. 

Exercise therapy in Ayurveda has been explained in various contexts, such as in the context of rehabilitation for fractures, in conditions like shoulder pain/frozen shoulder, and in the context of certain neurological conditions with sports medicine. Traditionally, the Kalaripayattu gurus from Kerala have been treating sports injuries for centuries using innovative traditional methods of bandaging using mixtures of traditionally known herbs and oils with excellent outcomes. This branch is also sometimes referred to as Kalari Chikitsa. Sprains, muscle tears, tendon injuries, and ligament injuries are commonly seen in people training for such rigorous forms of martial arts.

The following diet is recommended for people suffering from sports or exercise injury:

• Drink the first milk of a lactating cow (Ksheera) with processed ghee and Kakolyadi gana post-eating food. 
• Laksha ksheerapaka (Laccifer lacca) is said to be very good for healing ligaments and bone injuries.
• Red rice, meat soups, and legume soup processed with ghee (Kalaya Yusha).
• One has to avoid salty, spicy, alkaline, sour, and dry food. Also, one must maintain celibacy, avoid exercise, and excess exposure to sunlight.