Sciatica relief - Ayurvedic approach

[Guest guest]

"grman53" <grman53> wrote:

> I have been having problems with sciatica for over a year. It is

not

> due to injury, just wear and tear on my body. I am a 56 year old

male

> in the construction industry and work hard physically. I have been

> going to a chiropractor for various sessions and I still get severe

> pain daily. I have been practicing hatha yoga for over a year and

> this really loosens me up. I really enjoy it.

>

> Is there anything that I can try to help heal the nerve? I will

> appreciate any and all information.

 

Dear Rick

The nerve starting from spinal chord end and going right up to end of

toe on feet is called sciatica nerve. This is the longest nerve in

our body. Many branches of this nerve go in the hips, thighs, areas

above knee, calf muscles etc. This nerve passes though many narrow

regions, and whenever it encounters blockage or pressure on it, pain

is the result. This is a relatively common form of low back pain and

leg pain.

 

Sciatica is usually caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve from a

herniated disc (also referred to as a ruptured disc, pinched nerve,

slipped disk, etc.). The problem is often diagnosed as

a "radiculopathy", meaning that a disc has protruded from its normal

position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the

radicular nerve (nerve root), which connects with the sciatic nerve.

 

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.

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

sciatica:

Pain in the rear or leg that is worse when sitting

Burning or tingling down the leg

Weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot

A constant pain on one side of the rear

A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up

 

While sciatica can be very painful, it is rare that permanent nerve

damage (tissue damage) will result. Most sciatica pain result from

inflammation and will get better within two weeks to a few months.

Also, because the spinal cord is not present in the lower (lumbar)

spine, a herniated disc in this area of the anatomy does not present

a danger of paralysis.

 

Symptoms that may constitute a medical emergency include progressive

weakness in the legs or bladder/bowel incontinence. Patients with

these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

 

Any condition that causes irritation or impingement on the sciatic

nerve can cause the pain associated with sciatica. According to

modern science, the most common cause is lumbar herniated disc. Other

common causes of sciatica include lumbar spinal stenosis,

degenerative disc disease, or isthmic spondylolisthesis. Impressive

names, but difficult to remember for ordinary patients.

 

In the vertebrae of the spine, the displacement of cartilage,

swelling in the cartilage or fibroisitis also causes pressure on the

nerve and acute pain. Patient can not walk easily and limps.

 

This condition is termed Gudhrasi in ayurveda. It is caused mostly by

Vata, while sometimes it is due to Vata and Kapha dosha both prevail.

Presence of Kapha dosha is revealed by reduced hunger, lack of

appetite/test of the food, swelling on the face or below eyes during

morning. Swelling generally disappears after few hours every day.

Many people assume that sciatica is not curable. In fact, as the time

passes, the ailment becomes difficult to cure.

 

In modern science, X-rays, MRI etc are used for investigation and

generally results in surgical solution; however, in the opinion of

author, ayurvedic treatment can cure a majority of such patients. A

couple of weeks ago, a tough `yogic' routine to cure sciatica pain

was covered on ayurveda though message number 2765. This week

we will see easier to follow `ayurvedic' approach.

 

Foamentation:

When sciatica is accompanied by Kapha vitiation, fomentation helps

substantially. Fomentation can be applied through three ways.

Electric heating pad can be applied to paining areas. Advantage of

electric pad is the regulation of temperature and time of heating,

plus convenience of treatment when patient is attending to other

pastimes. Second alternative is putting fine beach sand in a cloth

bag/pillow, heating the bag on hot plate (used for roasting chapati

in India) and applying to aching areas. Regulation of time and

temperature is to be done by patient himself. Third alternative is

for those who find getting beach sand is difficult. One can take sea

salt crystals in cloth bag and use in identiacal manner.

 

Whatever method adopted, fomentation is seen to help in sciatica pain.

 

Massage

When sciatica is caused by Vata dosha, one can gently massage from

waist to foot sole using seasame oil or Mahanarayan Tailam. Massage

can be done by patient himself or someone else can do it. Patient

should lie down on the bed with stomach touching the bed. All the

back side becomes available to a massage expert then. There are many

accu pressure points located on waist, hip crease, thighs, calf

muscles and feet. One can use stale cow urine or its distillate for

massage and it is seen that most rapid relief is obtained in that

case. Special massage is necessary to soles of the feet. Ayurveda

terms it as `Pad Abhayanga'. The ancient sage have mentioned that

this `Pad Abhyanga' cures Gudhrasi - Sciatica.

 

Parijat: the best inexpensive remedy

Parijat is a common tree which bears very attractive flowers having

orange colored stem and few white petals. The flowers fall to the

ground during night and even a little shake given to tree causes

flowers to fall to the ground.

 

Take 21 leaves of this tree. Grind them coarsely and add in two cups

of water. Add in ½ tsp of ginger powder. Boil on slow heat till half

cup remains. Add in 1 tsp of Castor oil in the tea made this way and

stirr well before drinking warm. Castor oil can be increased upto 6

tsp (30ml) gradually, as body digests it. One can add ½ tsp of Giloy

powder, if ginger powder increases inflamation during motion. This

tea should be drunk on emty stomach morning. Nowadays tablets made

from Parijatak extract are available, which can be taken 2 – 2

(morning, evening). Author prefers fresh leaves, tea rather than

extract tablets. Many indian pharmacies now make these tablets.

 

Cow urine + Castor Oil.

For those who do not have access to Parijata tree, but can obtain cow

urine or its distillate (Gomutra Arka), they can take 2-4 tsp fresh

cow urine with 2 tsp Castor oil stirred in, morning as well as

evening. Fresh cow urine is very `Tikshna' and many are unable to

drink it. For such patients, 2-4 tsp Gomutra arka can be substituted.

Cow urine or its distillate opens microchannels blocked by Kapha

rapidly. Castor oil is a well known enemy of Vata dosha. Mixture of

cow urine and castor oil cures very old sciatica pain also.

 

Shilajit Rasayana

This formulation is a classical one. Contains Giloy, Guggul and

Shilajit. While Giloy acts on Kapha dosha due to bitter taste,

Guggula is a highly benific in all Vata diseases. Shilajit reduces

all blockages, swellings, ama and thus reduces pressure on sciatica

nerve, causing pain relief. Take 2 – 2 tab each 250 mg, slight chew

and swallow with water.

 

Ushnodaka

Patients suffering from sciatica should not drink fridge water. They

should drink luke warm water throughout the day. The properties of

ushnodaka in reducing Kapha, ama are already discussed in earlier

posts on ayurveda.

 

Food – Lifestyle

After fasting for 2-3 days in beginning (only ushnodaka), patients

can take light food such as rice, dhal, green gram khitchri, green

vegetables or their soups, chapati, buttermilk (which is not sour)

cow ghee, cow butter etc. Avoid legumes. Green gram exception. Sleep

well during night and do not sleep during day.

 

If one follows the restrictions meticulously, sciatica will be cured,

no matter how old.

 

Dr Bhate