SCIATICA PAIN

INTRODUCTION

Sciatica is a common type of pain that affects the sciatica nerve, which runs down the back of the thigh and down the leg. The pain may also extend to the foot or toes. It usually affects only one side of the lower body. Sciatica is caused due to excess pressure on the sciatic nerve by the adjacent tissues. The nerve could be affected inside or outside by the spinal canal and extends to the foot and pain radiate from spine to foot.

 The spine has to bear the weight of our trunk, and at the base of the spine is the sciatic nerve. If there are any changes in posture, muscle strength, and pelvic alignment becomes compressed- that is what commonly causes backpain and nerve pain of sciatica.

CAUSES OF SCIATICA

It is caused due to, spinal injury, degenerative disc, obesity pregnancy or trauma etc. Some other causes include:

Herniated or Slipped Disc                                                                       

Piriformis Syndrome

Spondylolisthesis

Lumber spinal Stenosis

Irritation of the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spinal roots

Degenerative Disk

Symptoms of sciatica

• Pain
• Tingling and numbness
• Difficulty in moving the leg
• Weakness in the affected leg
• Trouble with bowel movements or bladder system
• Lower back pain
• Difficult in stand up
• Leg pain
• Muscle weakness

Risk factors

• Age- people ages 20 to 50 are most likely to have herniated disc problems.
• Diabetes
• Prolonged sitting
• Occupation
• Obesity

Diet and lifestyle managements

• Practice yoga exercise daily
• Keep good posture when sitting
• Manage your weight
• Apply heating pad
• Avoid prolonged sitting
• Avoid processed and sugary foods
• Take glutens free diet
• Don’t bend over and left heavy objects or excess weight
• Don’t walk a long distance by lifting heavy weight
• Don’t wear high heel shoes or slippers
• Avoid junk foods
• Consuming food containing vitamin A, B, Omega 3 fatty acids, Potassium

Ayurvedic view of sciatica pain

Sciatica is known as Gridhrasi in Ayurveda. It is a disorder that causes irritating pain in the sciatic nerve or nerve. The nerves emerging from the pelvic run along the hamstrings and can cause intense pain in both the legs when a person is suffering from sciatica. Theoretical pains fill your life with misery, as even the simplest of daily activities cause sudden and excruciating pain. There are two types of sciatica, that is, true sciatica and false sciatica. Sciatica can be caused by a disc or herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, piriformis syndrome, pregnancy or trauma, etc.

According to ayurveda, sciatica is caused due to impairment in vata dosha causes impairment in the functional capacity and movement of the body and in some cases kapha dosha responsible for fluid and lubrication of the body.

Panchakarma treatment for Sciatica

BASTI - Basti is one of the important panchakarma treatment in Ayurveda for curing sciatica permanently. There are many types of Vasti like Kashaya basti, Uttarabasti, Snehavasti, Siro vasti etc. Basti eliminates all kinds of Vata doshas. It removes toxin accumulation in the body. Medicated oils, and decoction are given through the anus and vaginal canal they fixes the dryness, vata and strengthens intestines.

basti procedure helps in releasing the spasms and nerve compressions in the affected area. It strengthens and nourishes the whole spine and supporting tissues. Therapies like abhyanga, swedana, Pathrapotali sweda, Sashitika shali pinda sweda, Sarvangadhara  are also important procedures for treating sciatica pain.

Kati Basti is very effective treatment for lower backache and disorders of lumbosacral region, Back pain, slip disc, lumbar spondylosis, sciatica, spinal problems etc.

AYURVEDIC HERBS THAT IMPROVE SYMPTOMS OF SCIATICA:

Babuna

It is also known as Bitter Chamomile. It is used to relieve and reduce the pain of a sciatica patient, but it is also used to treat problems such as arthritis due to the progression of age. Compressed bitters chamomile flowers are prescribed for sciatica.

Guggul

It has anti-inflammatory properties, it relaxes the sciatic nerves and provide relief from sciatica pain

Rasna

Rasna is also known as Vande Orchid. Acute or irritating pain due to sciatic nerve problems can be reduced by this antivedic herb due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Juniper oil

It is extremely helpful when massaging the thigh muscles with strokes or pressure. It is used extensively in massage therapy to treat sciatica, as the extent of reduction in sciatic nerve pain is tremendous.

jaiphal

It is also known as Nutmeg. After being mixed with sesame seed oil, nutmeg is coarsely powdered and then fried until brown. It is then applied to the areas where sciatica pain is intense for immediate relief.

Turmeric

Anti-inflammatoery properties are found in turmeric and it is an excellent medicine for the treatment of sciatica. Add a pinch of turmeric to milk and drink it before sleeping.

Shaalaki

It is also known as Boswellia or Frankincense. With anti-inflammatory properties, Vitaki is scientifically appliedexternally to relieve nerve pain.

Harsingar

 The flowers, leaves and bark of Harsingar are also rich in medicinal properties. Harsingar leaves are used for sciatica. Wash Harsingar leaves and boil them in one liter of water. Then cool it and filter it and add a couple of Ratti saffron. Now drink a cup of it daily in the morning and evening.

Fenugreek

 Fenugreek seeds contain a lot of protein. They are very effective in relieving the pain of arthritis and sciatica. Swallowing a spoonful of fenugreek seeds with water every morning in the stale mouth is very beneficial for sciatica.

Yoga for sciatica

Balasans (Child pose)

Ardha chandrasana

Bhujangasana

Pawanmuktasana

Supta kapotasana

Bandha sdarvangasana

Sciatica management according to chandigarh Ayurveda centre

1. Makar Rasayan tablet:

Makar Rasayan is a herbo-mineral tablet and is purely Ayurvedic formulation. CAC MAKAR RASAYAN tablet help in balancing all the three doshas. It helps to rejuvenate body tissues and act as an immuno modulator. It helps in proper blood circulation. It prevents the skin from dryness. It contains natural ingredients like shudha kuchla, guduchi satva, shudha shilajeet,  ras sindoor, moonga bhasma, shankh bhasma, praval pishti etc. Herbs and minerals used for the formulation of these tablets show antioxidant, aphrodiasic, analgesic and immuno modulator properties.
Recommended Dosage: Take one tablet twice daily.

2. Nerve up tablet:

These tablets are pure ayurvedic formulation. Nerve up tablets help in balancing the vata doshas and kapha dosha. It acts as nervine stimulant. It shows effective results in improving the central nervous system. It contains natural ingredients like shudha kuchala, shudha shilajeet, praval pishti, shankh bhasma etc. This tablet helps in Backache, kneepain, headache, bronchitis, depression.

Recommended Dosage– Take 1 tablet twice daily.

3. Pain-O-kill Tablets:

As the name suggests these tablets will kill the pain naturally. The herbs present in the formation of these tablets are Ashwagandha, Hadjod, Punarnava, Nirgundi, Methi, Garlic, etc. These herbs in combination show antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulator properties. The regular use of these tablets reduce body pain and acts on its root cause.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.

4. Trikatu Syrup:

Trikatu combines the goodness of Black pepper, Ginger and, Long pepper to create an herbal remedy for digestive ailments, sluggish metabolism, obesity, and high cholesterol. This syrup has best results in anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and expectorant. It also help to tackle the weight problems or obesity. It can modulate your body’s immune response while cutting the characteristic inflammation associated with the back pain.

Recommended Dosage –Take 2 teaspoonful twice a day before meal with normal water.