Back Pain Treatment in Ayurveda
Ayurvedic Treatment for Back Pain in Kerala, India
Back pain usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. It is a common complaint. Men and women are equally affected. It occurs most often between ages 30 and 50, due to the ageing process but also as a result of sedentary lifestyles with too little exercise.
Causes of Back Pain
Muscle or ligament strain: Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement may strain back muscles and spinal ligaments.
Bulging or ruptured disks: Disks act as cushions between the individual bones (vertebrae) in your spine. Sometimes, the soft material inside a disk may bulge out of place or rupture and press on a nerve.
Spinal degeneration: Degeneration from disc wear and tear can lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal. A person with spinal degeneration may experience stiffness in the back or may feel pain after walking or standing for a long time.
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
Skeletal irregularities: Back pain can occur if your spine curves in an abnormal way. Scoliosis, a condition in which your spine curves to the side, also may lead to back pain.
Osteoporosis: Compression fractures of your spine’s vertebrae can occur if your bones become porous and brittle.
Fibromyalgia: It is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips.
Spondylitis: Refers to chronic back pain and stiffness caused by a severe infection to or inflammation of the spinal joints.
Symptoms for Back Pain
The most common lower back pain symptoms include:
- Dull and aching pain located in your lower back.
- Stinging or burning pain ranging from your lower back to your thighs.
- Discomfort after prolonged string or standing.
- Trouble standing up straight.
- Difficulty in walking.
- Muscle spasms along your lower back, hips and pelvis.
The Ayurvedic Explanation
As per ayurveda, health issues occur due to imbalances of your dosha. Back pain is linked to a disruption in your vata dosha. The imbalance makes bones and muscles weak. Ayurveda treatment for back pain realigns your vata to form a state of equilibrium and promote full-body healing.
Ayurveda Treatment for Back Pain
The Ayurvedic treatment for back pain is holistic in nature and focused on various aspects of health. It recommends the use of diet, lifestyle changes, and the use of herbal remedies to treat back pain. Ayurveda treatment for back pain includes the following:
Vasthi: The ingestion of prescribed oils or decoctions through the anorectal route, it works on the affected area as the colon is considered to be the seat of Vata. The use of the enema helps to correct the Vata imbalance. This can strengthen bones and joints, thus helping reduce back pain.
Abhyanga: A massage performed on the body using warm medicated oil. This is one of the key components of back pain treatment in Ayurveda. Abhyanga can provide relief from back pain by helping in balancing the doshas.
Agnikarma: Agnikarma is the use of thermal microcautery where an instrument known as Agnikarma Shalaka is used to heat specific areas to provide relief from pain. This is an Ayurvedic treatment that can be very helpful in providing relief from lower back pain. It can provide quick relief from back pain.
Apart from these therapies like Dhanyamla dhara, Snehapana, Vamana, Podikizhi, Elakizhi, Pizhichil, Vasti, Navarakizhi, Kati vasti, Pichu and more are done according to the severity and nature of the back pain.
Eating Habits and Diet Practices:
Most individuals can develop back pain due to improper diet and lifestyle. To avoid back pain, you can make a few changes in your eating habits and diet practices.
- Have meals at regular intervals and set times.
- Have warm and sufficient amount of food.
- Avoid oily and spicy food.
- Avoid junk food, aerated drinks, and ice creams.
- Avoid eating very late at night.
- Maintain a gap of minimum one hour between dinner and bedtime.
Ayurveda treatment for back pain can help you experience relief. At Krishnendu Ayurveda, we have a very systematic approach in treating back pain; we plan a customized treatment for each individual which is specific to their symptoms.