Ayurvedic Treatment for Spine Problems

Your spine or backbone is made up of small bones called vertebrae. It helps you sit, stand, walk, twist, and bend. It supports your head, shoulders and upper body.

Back pain is a common health issue faced by both men and women. The root cause for back pain is spine problems. Back pain stems from muscles, nerves, bones, joints, or other structures in the spine. It occurs mostly due to the ageing process and also due to sedentary lifestyle, wrong posture, weight gain, and excessive sitting or standing.

Common Spine Problems

Spine problems that cause back pain are:

Slipped Disc

The cushion-like disc present between the vertebrae in the spine begins to dry out. It may tear or break, if too much stress is applied on your back. This condition is called herniated disc.

Cervical Spondylosis

A slipped disc, extra bone growth from the vertebrae called spur, stiffening of ligaments connecting the vertebrae are the causes of cervical spondylosis. Your neck may hurt or you will face difficulty in moving it. A permanent damage may be caused if the discs or vertebrae squeeze the nerves and nerve roots too much.

Muscle strain or ligament strain

Muscles around your spine can become strained and tense due to overuse, stress, bad posture, sudden awkward movements. Pain and tightness may occur throughout your neck and back.

Bulging or ruptured disc

Disc is the cushion-like material present between the vertebrae of the spine. Soft material inside the disc bulges or ruptures and presses on a nerve.

Spinal degeneration

Spinal canal can be narrowed due to degeneration from wear and tear of the disc. Stiffness in the back or pain after walking and standing for a long time are some of the symptoms.

Osteoarthritis

The slippery tissue on each end of your vertebrae helps your back flex without friction. The vertebrae start to rub against each other if that cartilage becomes rough or wears down. As a result, your back becomes stiff and painful.

Spinal Stenosis

Sometimes, due to osteoarthritis, Spinal stenosis can occur which is the narrowing of the space around the spinal cord. Bones start pressing against the nerves.

Scoliosis

Spine bends to the side in an abnormal way. Commonly it is found during childhood or adolescence. The shoulders become uneven. Back pain is caused and it leads to pinched nerves.

Osteoporosis

If your bones become porous and brittle, compression fractures of vertebrae can occur.

Sciatica

When herniated disc, bone spur, or some other spine problem puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, pain radiates from lower back to the backside of one or both the legs.

Fibromyalgia

It is a chronic disorder in which there is widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, tender points in neck, spine, shoulders and hips.

Spondylitis

In spondylitis, there is chronic back pain and stiffness. It is caused by severe infection or inflammation of the spinal joints.

Symptoms

• Dull or aching pain in the lower back
• Stinging or burning pain starting from lower back to thighs
• Discomfort after sitting or standing for a long time
• Trouble walking
• Muscle spasms along lower back, hips, and pelvis

Ayurveda and Spine problems

As per Ayurveda, back pain is a symptom. The root cause is found after proper diagnosis. Back pain due to spine problems is caused by the aggravation of Vata dosha. So bones and muscles become weak. Spinal disease treatment in Ayurvedic treatment brings Vata to a state of equilibrium and the whole body is healed.

Spine pain Treatment in Ayurveda

Holistic treatment is provided for back pain due to spinal issues. Diet, lifestyle changes, and herbal remedies are used.

The therapies performed during the treatment are:

Vasthi

Through anorectal route, prescribed oils or decoctions are ingested. The colon is considered to be the seat of Vata. The enema corrects the Vata imbalance.

Abhyanga

Warm medicated oil is used to give a whole body massage. This is the main component of back pain treatment. Doshas are balanced and there is relief from back pain.

Agnikarma

Agnikarma shalaka is an instrument used to heat specific areas to reduce pain. Lower back is reduced and the relief is quick.

According to the severity and nature of the pain, there are other treatments also:

Dhanyamla Dhara

Warm herbal liquid is poured on to the affected area.

Pichu

A thick layer of cotton cloth soaked in warm medicated oil is bandaged around the affected area.

Podikizhi

Powdered herbs are tied in a cotton cloth and used for massaging.

Elakizhi

Leaves that are Vata specific are tied in a pouch and applied on the body and sweating is induced.

Pizhichil

A special linen cloth is dipped into a warm medicated oil mixture and squeezed on the affected area.

Njavarakizhi

Bolus of cooked rice is used to massage the whole body. It loosens the stiffness of joints.

Kati Vasthi

Lukewarm herbal medicated oil is kept over the lumbosacral area for a certain period of time.

Detoxification with the help of Panchakarma can also help in relieving back pain.

Eating habits and Dietary Practices

• Eat food at regular intervals and at set time.
• Eat a warm and sufficient amount of food.
• Avoid oily and spicy food.
• Avoid fast food, soft drinks, and ice cream.
• Do not eat very late at night.
• There should be a gap of minimum one hour between dinner and bedtime.

Yoga

Pranayama along with Anuloma Viloma should be practiced to bring Vata dosha to optimum level.

Visit Jeevess to revitalize and rejuvenate your body and also for effective pain management.