Ayurvedic Treatment for Back Pain in Kerala
Kerala is known for its rich ayurveda heritage. Access authentic, holistic ayurvedic treatments for back pain in Kerala, which focuses on overall health of the mind, body and spirit too. Check the Sanjeevanam Ayurveda Hospital for the best back pain treatment in Cochin.
Ayurvedic treatments include highly-effective massages like Abhyanga, Pizhichil, Elakizhi as well as Nasya and Kati Basti. Consult a qualified ayurvedic practitioner who can assess your needs and prescribe the right back pain Kerala treatment.
Signs & Symptoms of Back Pain
Back pain can be due to a variety of reasons and the exact location and signs and symptoms can vary accordingly. Here’s a look at some common signs and symptoms:
- 01 Back pain can cause muscle spasms or involuntary muscle strains which can be highly distressing and painful.
- 02 This can also cause stiffness and inflammation in the back, making it more difficult to bend or move.
- 03 Back pain can also cause shooting or stabbing pains that can radiate down an arm or leg – depending on the location.
- 04 Back pain can lead to numbness or tingling in the arms, legs or back, indicating nerve damage.
- 05 Dull, persistent back pain is the most common type of backache and can occur in the upper, lower or middle back, ranging from mild to severe.
- 06 In rare cases, back pain can sometimes lead to urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence.
Do consult a healthcare professional at the earliest.
Causes of Back Pain
Backpain can be due to multiple reasons, causing varying degrees of pain. Some of the common causes of persistent back pain include muscle or ligament strains and sprains, pressure on the spine due to prolonged sitting, or osteoporosis which can lead to brittle bones liable to fracture easily.
Other causes of back pain could be due to structural problems like kyphosis or scoliosis, heavy weight lifting, herniated or bulging disc problems and spinal stenosis where the spinal canal narrows, creating pressure on the spinal nerves. Degenerative joint diseases like osteoarthritis and infections or tumors associated with the spine are some other causes of back pain.
Types of Back Pain
There are two main categories of back pain:
Acute back pain
This type of back pain is of sudden onset and doesn’t last for longer than 6 weeks. It is usually as a result of muscle sprains or strains or back injuries, resulting in spasm of the back muscles with resultant excruciating and debilitating pains. It usually regresses on its own, with sufficient rest and care.
Chronic back pain
This type of back pain is generally associated with structural problems, degenerative conditions or nerve damage. Such back pains last longer than three months and have a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life.
Back pains can also be categorized according to their underlying cause or their location. Upper back pain refers to pain between the shoulder blades and neck area while lower back pain refers to the lumbar region, and middle back pain is between the upper and lower back regions.
Risks of Back Pain
Back pains can have significant negative impact on the patient’s quality of life and lead to a lot of complications and risks when left untreated. These include limited mobility and flexibility, muscle weakness and disabilities which could result in increased risk of falls. Where back pain is due to nerve compression, nerve damage can result, when not treated on time.
The patient may also develop addiction to pain medications, and in some cases, develop anxiety, depression or psychological issues. Some patients may end up needing surgical intervention, which would not only be expensive, but also require a long recovery period.
When to See a Doctor for Back Pain
If you feel your back pain is serious and isn’t improving with over-the-counter medications and rest, then its better to consult a doctor. More so, if the back pain is accompanied by tingling or numbness in the arms or spreads down one or both legs, with bowel or bladder incontinence.
If the pain is due to a fall or injury, is getting worse over time and interfering with your daily activities, or disturbing your sleep, then you should definitely see a doctor at the earliest. Back pain that lasts longer than a few weeks also requires a doctor in case more advanced treatment is required.
How Ayurveda can treat Back Pain
In accordance with the ancient science of ayurveda, ayurvedic treatment for back pain in Kerala can be achieved by using a combination of herbal medicines, special massages, diet and lifestyle modifications and other holistic natural therapies. Here’s a look at ayurvedic treatment for backpain:
- 01 One of the best treatments is Panchakarma for back pain. It works by detoxifying and cleansing the body, and restoring balance to the doshas. Panchakarma also improves blood circulation and reduces inflammation in the affected areas.
- 02 A variety of highly effective ayurvedic massage therapies such as Pizhichil, Abhyanga and Elakizhi can be employed to treat back pain too. These are usually carried out for a number of days, ranging from 1 to 3 weeks, depending on cause of back pain.
- 03 There are a number of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving herbs for back pain in ayurveda. These could include ginger, turmeric, guggulu, ashwagandha, etc.
- 04 Other natural therapies that can be used include medicated steam baths, acupuncture and heat therapy to bring down back pain.
- 05 Dietary and lifestyle modifications that include eating more of anti-inflammatory foods and practicing more meditation, stretching exercises and specific yoga asanas, can all be useful in reducing stress, which further exacerbates back pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best treatment for lower back pain?
The best way to lower back pain is by doing stretching exercises, practicing specific yoga asanas and by undergoing specific ayurvedic back massages. These massages make use of medicated herbal oils, and when administered under the skilled guidance of therapists in ayurveda centers, makes the best treatment for lower back pain.
How should I sleep with lower back pain?
When you have lower back pain, the best way to sleep is on your back – even if you are someone who enjoys sleeping on the side. Keep a soft pillow under your head and another one under your knee, for optimal alignment of the spine as you sleep. You could also try sleeping in a fetal position or on your side with a pillow supporting the knees.
What are some self-care tips for managing back pain?
Keep moving and try to maintain a good posture and body weight. You should also stretch and strengthen your back muscles to your comfort levels. Try applying heat to the affected area for 20 minutes, alternating with an icepack. Take over-the-counter medications and try rubbing on NSAID gels for relief from pain. And give up smoking if you are a smoker.
How can I prevent back pain?
To prevent back pain, you need to stretch and strengthen your back muscles. Always sit and walk straight, practice low-impact exercises – and maintain a decent weight as obesity too can lead to back pain. Avoid lifting heavy things, and if you have to, then bend your knees while keeping your back straight. Finally, increase your calcium and vitamin D intakes.
Are there any specific yoga asanas or postures recommended for back pain in Ayurveda?
Modern lifestyles make our backs prone to back pain. Ayurveda offers yoga asanas to counter this problem. Try practicing the Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog), Marjaryasana (cow pose), Paschimottanasana (seated forward bend), Salabhasana (locust post) and Trikonasana (triangle pose). All these asanas improve your body alignment and improve your back pain in accordance with the principles of ayurveda and yoga.
Best Back Pain Treatment in Kerala
Some of the best ayurvedic treatments for back pain in Kerala include a combination of therapies that have been in practice for centuries. One of the best ayurvedic hospital for back pain in Kerala is the Sanjeevanam ayurveda hospital, which has a resort-like ambience and comes with highly-skilled staff and experienced Vaidyas. Here is a look at some of the ayurvedic treatments for back pain in Kerala:
- 01 Ayurvedic massage treatment centers in Cochin, Kerala, are well-known to provide relief from back pain by providing therapy that improves blood circulation and relaxes muscles.
- 02 The 5-pronged Panchakarma treatment for back pain helps get rid of toxins from the body and employs herbal remedies, massages and steam baths to relieve back pain.
- 03 A variety of pain relieving and anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric, ginger and ashwagandha can also be used to relieve back pain according to Kerala ayurveda.
- 04 Kati Basti is a localized form of back pain treatment where a dam of dough is made around the painful area and filled with warm medicated oil and left for some time. This helps in reducing local pain.
- 05 Abhyanga is another ayurvedic method where the body is massaged with warm medicated oil to improve circulation and improve pain.
- 06 Another ayurvedic treatment is Elakizhi, where the back is massaged with warm herbal poultices to reduce pain, stiffness and inflammation.
- 07 Yoga is another effective way to improve flexibility in the back, strengthen muscles and reduce stress.
Do note that all these treatments should only be done under the guidance of an ayurvedic practitioner.
Blogs
Ayurvedic Treatment for Acne: Things to Know
View Details
Virechana Treatment – A Pillar of Ayurvedic Panchakarma
View Details
Tridosha in Ayurveda – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
View Details
Exploring the Benefits of Nasya: An Ayurvedic Nasal Therapy
View Details
