YogMantra | How Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda & Diet Accelerated A Patient’s Recovery From Knee Injury

Last Updated:September 20, 2025, 11:23 IST

Diet and relaxation can play a crucial role in managing inflammation, pain perception, and promoting overall well-being

Conventional medicine is effective in diagnosis and pain-management but patients often turn to complementary medicine for faster relief. (Pixabay)

Knee injuries to the bone and ligament are known to take months for full recovery. Conventional medicine is effective in diagnosis and pain-management. However, patients often turn to complementary medicine for faster relief.

Take the case of Akshay Jha, who had been struggling for a week with swelling and pain in his knee ever since he fell on a pavement.

The MRI revealed bony contusion, sprain, fluid buildup in the joint, and cartilage inflammation. He was immediately started on the standard ‘RICE’ treatment—rest, ice, compression, and elevation—which did provide some relief.

WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE?

To hasten the healing process, he decided to go for a two-week rehab program to an integrated therapy centre in South India where he was prescribed Yoga, Naturopathy and Ayurveda.

Akshay expected gradual improvement, but the relief began on Day Two. To his surprise, he found his symptoms easing the very next day, even before Yoga exercises were introduced. He realised that two key elements had accelerated his recovery—diet and relaxation.

Inflammation-Reducing Diet

It occurred to Akshay later that the special diet he had been put on was meant to reduce inflammation.

Raw carrots, cucumber, boiled vegetables, salt-free dal, millets, and buttermilk made up his meals, while vegetable juices and soups were mid-morning and evening fillers. Fruits like watermelon, banana and papaya were allowed. Breakfast consisted of regular items like poha, upma, idli, dosa, sprouts, khichadi, etc.

Except breakfast, he didn’t enjoy the food at all and found it bland. But when his pain began to get better, he stuck to it religiously. The next week, the pain had reduced considerably and his diet was changed to normal food — still saatvik and easily-digestible, but a regular full-course meal, including chapatis and salt.

Diet can play a crucial role in managing inflammation, pain perception, and promoting overall well-being, as this PubMed Central article Role of Nutrition in the Management of Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain – PMC explains: “Changing what we eat is a good way to tackle pain, and eating foods that promote a healthy gut microbiome may help reduce pain and prevent muscle loss,” say the authors.

Relaxation-Meditation

Akshay also attributed his relief to a meditative practice called MSRT, which he tried on the very first day.

A deeply relaxing technique that is supposed to ‘silence’ the mind, MSRT also has an effect on musculoskeletal pain. A Study published in ScienceDirect Influence of Meditative Technique on Musculoskeletal Pain, Sleep Quality, Stress and State Anxiety on Geriatric Participants: A Randomized Controlled Trial – ScienceDirect explains how this occurs. Parasympathetic activation via the Vagus nerve helps control inflammation.

HOW THE KNEE WAS STRENGTHENED

Special procedures for strengthening the knee and reducing pain were introduced slowly, and these included:

Janu Basti

An Ayurveda treatment where medicated oil is poured into a ring made around the knee-joint with wet black-gram flour. This helps relieve inflammation and stiffness.

The process also soothes nerves, nourishes tissues, and enhances blood supply in the area. Overall, it improves movement of the joint.

Intelligently-Done Yoga Exercises

Experts in Yoga therapy suggest strengthening the muscles around the knee, and avoid directly exercising the injured joint Yoga Therapy for Knee Problems. Thigh and calf muscles are strengthened through customised pressure-application for the individual. Coordinating breathing with the movements is important here. Work is also done to improve the flexibility of the ankles and hips for the strengthening of the above muscles.

Targeted loosening movements (Sukshma Vyayam) and strengthening (Shakti-vikasaka) exercises for the whole body, therapists explain, strengthen muscles around the joint and support long-term recovery.

Later, co-activation (simultaneously tensing) of knee muscles is introduced, which aids recovery by enhancing blood flow. Patella movement, massage, and air-cycling help.

Shalabhasana (Locust pose)

An excellent pose for all knee conditions, this Yoga pose aids recovery several levels.

First, by engaging hamstring muscles, it helps to strengthen the thighs and hips. It stretches the toes and strengthens the ankles.

Second, its role in whole-body strengthening and functioning is crucial—by aiding digestion, improving blood circulation, calming the nervous system, and strengthening the muscles of the core, lower back, and spine.

Akshay was able to learn techniques that helped him to manage pain, relax and even how to walk and climb stairs without straining the knee. Thanks to a holistic approach, he can now move around with confidence.

Note: This article is meant for information only. Always undertake Yoga therapy under supervision of an experienced therapist, or at an established Integrative Therapy Centre.

The author is a journalist, cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher. She can be reached at swatikamal@gmail.com.

Go to Source
Author: News18