SCIATIC PAIN: Your search for that featherlight flexibility?

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SCIATIC PAIN:

Your search for that featherlight flexibility?

 

Sciatica — pain along the large sciatic nerve that runs from the

lower back down the back of each leg — is a relatively common form of

back pain, and is called gridhasee in Ayurveda. Sciatica is usually

caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve, supposed to be exerted by

high vata dosha levels in the area.

 

The sciatic nerve gets easily pressurized as compared to other nerves

because this is the longest and thickest nerve in the body, with many

branches throughout the legs into the feet. Since vata dosha levels

peak as age advances, the incidence of sciatica can increase with age

and at age 60 can be as high as 50 percent for those with low back

problems.

 

The most prevalent causes of low back pain that can result in

sciatica are due to degenerative joint disease; again the occurrence

of which is triggered by high vata levels.

 

For some people, the pain from sciatica can be severe and

debilitating. For others, the pain from sciatica might be infrequent

and irritating, but has the potential to get worse. Usually, sciatica

only affects one side of the lower body, and the pain often radiates

from the lower back all the way through the back of the thigh and

down through the leg. Depending on where the sciatic nerve is

affected, the pain may also radiate to the foot or toes. A

combination of arthritis and sciatica is the worst thing that can

happen to anyone.

 

One or more of the following sensations may occur as a result of

sciatica:

 

1) Pain in the rear or leg that is worse when sitting

2) Burning or tingling down the leg

3) Weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot

4) A constant pain on one side of the rear

5) A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up

6) Persistent leg stiffness

 

Charaka, the ancient Ayurvedic physician who compiled Charaka samhita

(2500-2000BC) has mentioned that sciatica is a one hundred percent

vata-type disorder. Vata can get imbalanced on its own or due to

factors as trauma, prolonged sitting on hard surfaces, excessive

exercise, prolonged inhabitation in cold weathers, congenital

anatomical insufficiencies, wrong surgical practice at the sciatica

region, and insufficient production of ahara rasa due to impaired

digestion. When disturbed vata "resides" in the sciatic region,

gridhasee results.

 

MANAGEMENT

 

MEDICINAL

 

A number of over-the-counter, fit-for-all Ayurvedic combinations are

used for treatment of sciatica. Which may or may not help as much you

may desire. Some of these are: rason vati, vriat vatchintamani rasa,

ashwagandha churna, castor oil, vednantak rasa, swarn sameer pannag

rasa, akang veer rasa, parijaatadi kwath, dashmool kwath, mahamash

tail, and others. What, however, works the best in case of sciatica

is a treatment individualized for the patient.

 

A home-based remedies employed traditionally in India are as below:

 

RASON KSHEER PAK

 

Ingredients:

 

1) 5-10 cloves of garlic

2) 1 teaspoonful of Ashwagandha churna (powder)

3) 300 ml milk and 300 ml water

4) 2 teaspoonful honey

 

Preparation:

 

1) Crush garlic to make a paste

2) Take milk and water together in a pan

3) Mix the paste of garlic and Ashwagandha powder

4) Boil until reduced to half

5) Add honey

 

Administration:

 

Take it once a day every morning on empty stomach, regularly for at

least 20 days. Demonstrates pain relief well in the absence of

compression.

 

PANCHAKARMA

 

BASTI

 

Ingredients:

 

1) Dashmool kwath 200 ml + Castor oil 30 ml = for 2 days

2) Dashmool kwath 30 ml + Castor oil 200ml = for 2 days

 

Administration:

 

Apply the method for at least 20 sittings (10 of each).

 

OR:

 

1) Siddha ksheer of dashmool kawth 200 ml + 30 ml mahanarayan tail =

at least for 15-20 days.

2) Shataoree siddha ksheer 200 ml + 20 ml of mahanarayan tail = for 3

weeks.

 

SNEHAN

 

1) 10 ml mahanarayan tail + 200 ml of milk. Take it in the morning on

empty stomach. If severe pain exists, take 4 tabs of rason vati.

 

2) 10 mahamash tail+ 250ml milk. Take it like in the morning on empty

stomach. If severe pain exists, take 4 tabs of rason vati.

 

SWEDAN

 

Nadi swed or sarvang swed , or as directed by the expert.

 

AGNI KARMA

 

This is an Ayurvedic way of cauterization.

 

Method:

 

1) Cover the painful area with betel leaves.

2) Envelop betel leaves with Chitrak mool (Plumbego zylencia) paste.

3) Cauterize with appropriate instrument.

 

WARNING:

 

The panchakarma therapy guidelines given here are for informational

purposes only. It is highly dangerous to try these therapies at home

and in the absence of an expert panchakarma therapist. Besides, the

author and this website does not endorse the self-prescribed use of

Ayurvedic coumpounds named in the Medicinal Management section of

this feature above. In case you are suffering from sciatica, you may

consult an experienced Ayurvedic specialist to seek further help.

 

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