Bones form the skeletal framework of the body while the muscles form the supporting structure. The body is made up of 206 bones and about 600 muscles. This structure makes you stand straight and perform all the physical activities. Generally, the muscles are attached to the bony surface. The contracting action of muscles helps in the movement of body parts. Thus any malfunction of bone or muscle can lead to severe deformity or disability. Hence proper care is needed to maintain sufficient bone and muscle strength.

Composition of a Bone

Bones are living cells embedded in mineral-based organic matters. The organic component mainly consists of collagen, and the inorganic part as hydroxyapatite, calcium, and phosphate salts.

Functions of Bone are:

• Enables mobility
• Protects other organs
• Store minerals
• Produce red blood cells and white blood cells

Bone types

There are five types of bone in the body:

1. Flat bones: e.g. skull bones
2. Long bones- thigh bone, shin bone
3. Short bones- bones of hand and feet
4. Irregular bones- vertebral bones
5. Sesamoid bones- patellar bone

Diseases of Bone

Diseases affecting bones make your bone easy to break. Some conditions are:

• Osteoporosis or low bone density
• Paget’s disease
• Osteogenesis imperfecta
• Diseases due to poor nutrition
• Infections
• Cancer

Risk Factors of Bone Diseases include

Age: Degenerative bone diseases are common in old age: for example, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis. Decreased bone density during the aging period leads to fracture and bony pain.
Occupation: People involved in regular stair climbing, bending, etc., are more prone to develop osteoarthritis.
Genetics: Genetic factors play an essential part in certain bone diseases. Some bone abnormalities run in families. E.g. -osteogenesis imperfecta
Gender: Female gender likely to get bone diseases than males.
Lifestyle: Lifestyle plays a vital role in bone strength. Sedentary lifestyle, low calcium and vitamin D intake, alcohol, and smoking decrease bone strength.
Hormones: Hormones like estrogen, parathyroid hormone testosterone affect bone health.

Muscle

Muscle is the tissue of the body whose contractile movements help us to move. There are three types of muscle-skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles.

Composition of a Muscle

Various integrated tissues are present in a skeletal muscle. These include muscle fiber, connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves.

Functions of Muscle

It includes mobility, posture, stability, circulation, respiration, digestion, urination, childbirth, and temperature regulation.

Diseases of Muscle

Muscle cramps: Electrolyte imbalances, Calcium & vitamin deficiencies can cause muscle cramps. Inadequate consumption of minerals can also cause muscle cramps.
Injuries: e.g. sprains
Inflammations: Inflammatory muscle diseases include polymyositis, dermatomyositis.
Muscular dystrophy: Diseases of the nerves affecting muscles

Why is Bone Strength necessary?

Our bones change continuously. Old bone is broken, and new bone is made. Bone formation is faster at a younger age. As one becomes old, the construction of new bones becomes slower.

Treatments in Ayurveda

Several treatments in Ayurveda described increasing bone and muscle health. The treatments include Keraleeya treatment procedures like oil massage (Abhyangam), Pottalies (Mamsa kizhi, Njavara Kizhi, Njavara Theppu), and Panchakarma (purification) procedure, mainly medicated enema (Basti).

Oil massage (Abhyangam)

Oil massage is explained in daily routine practices. Massage with Dhanwantharam Tailam, Koottamchukkadi Tailam, Ksheerabala Tailam, Karpooradi Tailam, and Chinchadi Tailam preferred. 
Oil massage keeps the skin and muscles healthy.

Pottali application

Different types of pottalies are explained in Ayurveda. For bone and muscle health, usually, pottali is made with meat, Njavara rice is suggested. Both have proven effects on bone and muscle diseases.

Panchakarma (purification ) procedure- Basti (medicated enema)

Many varieties of drugs are explained in Ayurvedic texts for Basti (medicated enema). Among
them, those prepared with milk are good for bone and muscle strength.

Internal Medicines

• Dectotions (Kashayams)
• Dhanwantharam Kashayam
• Maharasnadi Kashayam 
• Guggulutikthakam Kashayam
• Rasnerandadi Kashayam

Tablets (Gulikas)

Gandha Tailam soft gel capsule: the primary ingredient is sesame which is good for bones. Gandha Tailam helps in bone reunion, especially in fractures. Gandha Tailam is also beneficial in degenerative bone conditions like osteoporosis.
Ksheerabala soft gel capsule: Major ingredient is Sida Cordifolia and Milk. Ksheerabala improves bone and muscle strength.
Ksheeraguloochi soft gel capsule: Ksheeraguloochi capsule is an excellent product from Sitaram Ayurveda Pharmacy to improve bone and muscle strength. Ksheeraguloochi is especially useful in inflammatory bone diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteon C G Plus tablets: Osteon C G is another Sitaram product aimed at bone strength. 
Guggulutikthakam Ghrutam: It is highly beneficial in most of the diseases affecting bones and muscles.
Indukantham Ghrutam: It increases bone and muscle strength.
Karaskara Ghrutham: It decreases bone degeneration.

Medicated ghee (Ghrutam)
Single herbs
Aswagandha capsule