THE BEST AYURVEDIC HOSPITAL FOR SCIATICA

WHAT IS SCIATICA?

Sciatica is a symptom that is caused by the compression or injury to sciatic nerve. Sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body. Anatomically, sciatic nerve originates by the combination of nerves passed from lumbar vertebrae 4 to sacral vertebrae 3. In Ayurveda, sciatica can be correlated with the ailment named as ‘Grudhrasi’.

WHAT CAUSES SCIATIC PAIN ?

Most common cause for sciatica is slipped (herniated) disk. Other causes are narrowing of the spinal cord in the lower back (lumbar spinal stenosis), a condition where a disk slip moves forward on the vertebra directly below it (spondylolisthesis), spondylosis, spondylolysis, nerve entrapment as in piriformis syndrome, tumors in the spine may compress the root of the sciatic nerve, any infections, secondary inflammations or injury to the spine, cauda equina syndrome, gynecological cases including pregnancy etc.

HOW CAN WE IDENTIFY SCIATICA IN THE EARLY STAGES?

Normally it starts with numbness in the leg along the nerve and sometimes a tingling sensation (pins and needles) in the feet and toes.

HOW DOES AYURVEDA TREAT SCIATICA AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TREATMENT MODALITIES INVOLVED?

Grudhrasi comes under Vatavyadhi (among vata diseases). Ayurveda considers Sciatica in two ways. One is Dhathukshaya (degenerative in origin) and other is Margavarodha (pressure in the nerve due to compression). As per the differentiation in the manifestation, the treatment protocol also varies. Generally, the treatment is planned to reduce the inflammation of the paravertebral muscles, toning of the muscles and nerve followed with strengthening of the muscles. Some of the common treatments are:

• Rooksha Chikitsa
• Lepanam
• Kayaseka
• Choorna Pinda Sweda
• Kashaya Vasti
• Katee Vasthi etc

WHAT ARE SOME EXERCISES OR PHYSICAL THERAPIES THAT HELP WITH SCIATICA?

Sciatic symptoms could vary according to the nerve which is being irritated or compressed. As with the causes of sciatica varies, exercises needed to be followed also differs. So it is important to rule out the underlying pathology. However, if done supervised and in a proper manner, a core stabilization exercise regime could prevent further damage and relieve pain in most of the cases. It is as follows.

Posture correction.
Bridging and pelvic tilts.
Multifidus strengthening exercises.
Transverse abdominis strengthening exercises.

WHAT ARE THE HOME REMEDIES THAT CAN HELP WITH SCIATICA?

Avoid sitting in uneven surfaces especially on the floor.

Do sitting and standing in right posture especially keeping the affected leg a little up.

While laying down keep one pillow below the knee while on supine position to get relaxation to the paravertebral muscles especially the lower back muscles.