When Mr. V, a businessman from Delhi, India, developed joint pain, he figured it was merely a temporary case of malaise, the result of over strain. Then he had a fever and this he also took lightly. But when the fever persisted, he went straight to his physician who diagnosed him with chikungunya, and was put on immediate medication. He next consulted with an ayurvedic practitioner and started taking a few treatments. Presently, he still suffers from joint pain although he feels much better now. The joint pain he decided to deal with using alternative treatments. Relating his experience, he tells me that, “because of the growing epidemic, it is important that we heed the symptoms and visit a doctor immediately more so even when there is the smallest of suspicion.”

The cause of chikugunya infection is blamed to an alphavirus carried by the aedes aegypti mosquito. Chikugunya is a rare type of viral fever that the aedes aegypti spreads although recently, the Pasteur Institute has discovered that the virus can also be disseminated from the bite of the tiger mosquito (aedes albopictus).

As the name indicates, the chikungunya is derived from the Makonde root word kungunyala, which means to become contorted, to dry, or to be more specific, ‘that which bends up.’

Prevention

Although several of us now know that mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and they carry various kinds of diseases, what we are not aware of is that mosquitoes can even breed in seemingly harmless places where stagnant water is present. This can be in bird baths, pet dishes, flower vases, overhead tanks, water coolers, etc. It is important to keep them all dry, or at least change the water as frequently as possible, without fail.

Besides that, people need to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes always. They should wear clothes that help cover the body and limbs. This can involve wearing trousers and long-sleeved shirts. Other preventive steps include protecting your home with mosquito nets and sunscreens, and applying insect repellents.

Even if we manage to remove all the stagnant water in our surroundings, we still need to take maximum care to avoid and prevent mosquito bites and prevent the virus from spreading.

Doctors urgently stress that people who start to suspect of an outbreak of the Chikungunya virus should immediately consult with a doctor in order to contain or prevent the spread of the infection; a timely attention can make a world of difference.

Compared to dengue which does not last for a long time, the Chikungunya leads to symptoms that persist for a considerable period of time. Also, both dengue and Chikungunya are spread by the same mosquito. The latter can cause fever that even after it has subsided, other symptoms like joint pains tend to linger for several months.

This is where alternative treatment can be of great help to the patient.

Homeopathy

Patients suffering from chikungunya usually suffer from rashes and high-grade fever. Moreover, their platelet count which is already at low levels can still rapidly drop resulting in bleeding. Homeopathic expert Dr Rachna K Singh believes that homeopathy has a remedy for chikungunya. The doctor who has been treating the disease for quite a while says that she effectively treats chikungunya with homeopathic treatments such as echinaciea, gelsemium, bryonia, pyrogenum, rhus tox and eupatorum perf.

Naturopathy

Therapist, yoga expert, and alternative medicine practitioner Ms Mallika Bhanot, stresses that before alternative systems are used, the virus must first be brought under control.

The chewing of ashwagandha is one approach that may aid in relieving joint pain and managing other symptoms. Applying a poultice of clove oil or pepper and garlic paste on the painful joints is another way of alleviating the pain. In addition, using magnesium sulphate (epsom salt) mixed in mildly warm bathing water and combined with neem leaves can aid in both the relief from fever and the easing of joint pain.

Pranayama and Yoga

One should not practice yoga when recovering from chikungunya; starting off with equal breathing (sama vritti) practices is a good idea. This involves inhaling and exhaling for an equal length of time. Comfortably sit on a blanket or pillow and make sure that your knees are lower than your hips. This helps support free movement of the breath and ease off pressure on your lower back. Exhale fully. take in air through the nose and breathe out through the nose both for five counts. Repeat these procedures for as long as you like. You can either change the length of the breath to a longer or shorter count whenever you desire.

Acupuncture

Practicing acupuncturist at the Gangaram Hospital, Sunita Kapur, M.D. explains that acupuncture can be very potent during the initial phases of the chikungunya infection as it helps remove pathogenic factors that have infiltrated the body via the mosquito bite. She also says that, ‘Acupuncture repels the infection by expelling fire, which is the main cause of rashes and fever, and boosting the defensive Qi.’

Dr Kapur emphasizes upon the fact that the main reason for the rise of post-viral fatigue syndromes is damp heat or residual heat. Acupuncture once more helps in the healing of this post-viral fatigue syndrome by beefing up the defensive Qi. She recommends moxibustion and a combination of acupuncture to speed up to a great extent the process of recovery. The therapy needs to be given on a regular basis which means on alternate days until the symptoms dissipate.

Acupressure

Acupressure trainer and practitioner Ketan Shah has been helping a lot of people manage the after effects of the chikungunya infection. He states that ‘An ideal way of alleviating joint pain associated with chikungunya infection is to provide pressure sideways to all fingers.’ who has helped many people cope with the aftereffects.

The disease strikes the leg and arm joints, specifically, the ankle, knee, wrist, and elbow. Leg joint pain can be relieved by applying pressure on specific acupoints using the middle two fingers while arm joint pain relief can be accomplished by pressure application on specified acupoints using the outer two fingers. The abdomen and liver can also be affected by this disease. Applying pressure on the acupoints associated with these two organs can be quite helpful.

Conclusion

Chikungunya is indeed a real menace to the health and safety of anyone today. But with a good understanding of its after-effects and symptoms, anyone can overcome it, and be able to recover from the disease.

Amy-SuiQun Lui, L.Ac.
Asian Health Center
27059 Grand Army of the Republic Hwy
Cleveland, OH 44143
Tel: (440) 833-0983