Ayurvedic Treatment for Sciatica In Kerala

What is Sciatica

Sciatica is a neurological condition characterized by excruciating pain, tenderness and numbness along the course of the sciatic nerve, which runs along the posterior part of the leg.

Causes Of Sciatica

Compression of the Sciatic nerve leads to inflammation of the areas surrounding the Sciatic nerve leading to this medical condition.

Dietary Causes

Intake of too much spicy, cold, dry food, Improper eating habits, and Eating incompatible foods and Diets irrespective of the seasonal regimen as per Ayurveda causes Sciatica.

Lifestyle Causes

Damage to the Sciatic nerve is due to strenuous activity such as lifting weights or over-exposure to cold wind. Hereditary factors also pave the way for neurological disorders. Prolonged sitting or standing can pinch the nerve roots, causing pain. Excess weight gain can put pressure on the spinal disc causing disc compression.

Endocrine disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, can damage the peripheral nerves, including the Sciatica nerve. The Sciatic nerve can also be affected if there is a pelvis or hip joint fracture.

Symptoms of Sciatica

• Pain in the lower back, buttocks, legs and foot
• The pain progresses through the posterior part of the leg, which deteriorates while walking, sitting and standing.
• Pin and needle pricking sensation
• Stretching or pulling type of pain
• Numbness, pain and weakness in the leg and foot parts.
• Tingling sensation anywhere in the leg.
• Difficulty in controlling movements of legs
• Symptoms are more likely to manifest on one side of the body.
• In severe cases, burning sensation.
• Weakness and numbness in the lower limb.
• After standing in place or while walking, feeling heaviness in the leg and inability to move the leg.
• Shooting pain in the lower limb makes it difficult to stand up.
• Inability to stand straight.
• Constant pain sensations in the lower limb, even while sleeping.

How to diagnose Sciatica Pain?

Sciatica is generally diagnosed by physical examination and the history of the symptoms. . The most applied diagnostic test is the straight leg raise (SLR) which is considered positive if the pain is felt along the distribution of the sciatic nerve and is reproduced on raising the legs between 30 and 70 degrees. This test is positive in about 90% of people with Sciatica; fortunately or unfortunately, approximately 75% of people with a positive test do not have Sciatica. X-ray Lumbar spine helps assess the vertebra’s position and its associated abnormalities. Imaging tests such as computerized tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan) can help diagnose lumbar disc herniation.

Diseases associated with Sciatica 

Sciatic leg pain is often associated with several conditions that pinch or irritate the sciatic nerve.

Piriformis syndrome

Spasms in the piriformis muscle can cause compression of the sciatic nerve.

Herniated disc

The intervertebral disc may bulge or herniate and cause nerve compression.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Narrowing the spinal canal in the lower back may cause increased spinal cord and nerve pressure.

Degenerative disc disease

The intervertebral disc may dry out and shrink as a part of the natural aging process. This causes nerve compression.

Spondylolisthesis

A condition in which one vertebrae slips forward over another, resulting in the nerves’ compression.

Leg pain can also be due to hip or sacroiliac joint diseases. This is typically called referred pain and is quite common. Other conditions that worsen back pain include obesity, lack of exercise, pregnancy, wearing high heels, trauma or sleeping on a mattress that is too soft.

Ayurvedic Treatment For Sciatica in Kerala

The main aim of Ayurvedic treatment for Sciatica in Kerala is to bring the vitiated ‘dosha’ back to the state of equilibrium and thereby establish the state of health.

The treatment protocol for any Vata-vitiated disease is snehana (oil application) and swedana (fomentation). 

Treatment procedures like Abhyanga, Patra Potala swedam(elakizhi), choorna pinda swedam (podi kizhi), swastika shali pinda swedam (njavarakizhi), Dhanyamla dhara etc., done according to the condition of the patient can bring the vitiated doshas to koshta from where it can be cleared by virechana (purgation) or vasthi (enema).

Internal medicines are also integral to pacifying the remaining doshas if any. 

These therapies are beneficial in relieving the inflammation in the nerve and other underlying causes of Sciatica. 

It also helps decrease the muscular spasm in the affected area and strengthens and nourishes the entire spine and supporting tissues.

Along with these therapies, Agnikarma, and Sira Vyadana (Venesection) are very effective in treating Sciatica.

Yoga and Yogasana

Yoga renders mental and physical stability. It helps decrease pain perception by healing the emotional aspect of pain.

Practicing Pranayama (Anulom viloma or alternate nostril breathing) can help balance Vata.

Among the Yoga Asanas, start with these simple postures

• Padahastasana
• Pavanamukthasana
• Salabhasana
• Bhujangasana
• To keep the spine aligned, practice Veerasana.

Caution: Before trying any of these postures, consult a yoga teacher or ayurvedic physician to determine the best postures for your condition.

Regimen during treatments 

Dos and Don’ts during treatment

Do’s: 

• Intake of Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), Lavana (salt) and Snigdha (unctuous) foods, Garlic, Ginger, hing, Black pepper etc., is advisable
• Regular Exercise is mandatory
• Maintaining optimum weight;
• Avoiding excessive repetitive motions
• Healthy diet and lifestyle
• Protecting an injured joint from further damage

Don’ts: 

• Long fasting and excess of heavy food 
• Awakening at night (Ratri Jagran), 
• Vega Dharana (suppression of natural urges), 
• Stress,
• Prolonged standing, 
• Overexertion and injury to joints

Home remedies to reduce sciatica pain

• Lie straight on your bed with a pillow under the knees while sleeping,
• Low-impact exercises such as light walking and jogging.
• Exercises are to be performed under Medical supervision
• Alternate hot and cold compresses might be quite helpful in relieving pain.
• Milk boiled with garlic
• Drumstick leaf paste
• Dashmool tea
• Firm mattress
• Manage everyday stress
• Good lumbar spine support
• Heating pads
• Regular massages

Lifestyle modification to prevent Sciatica

Living a healthy lifestyle with low-impact exercise, getting plenty of rest, enough sleep, and a healthy diet and weight are simple ways to prevent its recurrence. 

Among lifestyle changes, diet plays an important role. 

A large proportion of the diet must contain fibre, which facilitates proper movement of the bowels, thereby enhancing the digestive capacity and reducing low back compression.

 Green leafy vegetables and fruits such as bananas and apples should form an essential part of your diet, providing vitamins that nourish the nerve roots.

Avoid heavy metals contained in foods as they take a long time to digest. 

This may exert undue pressure on the lower back region.

It is always advised to avoid foods rich in trans fat, gluten, excess salt and sugars. 

Whole grains, Flax seeds, spinach, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, black beans, ladies’ finger, tomatoes, banana, orange, lemon, honey, raisins, fatless cottage cheese, coconut oil, and fish oil, should be included in the diet. 

Drinking plenty of water is recommended. 

Quitting smoking is another important change to be made to prevent not only Sciatica but also other deadly diseases.

Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala can do neurological conditions like Sciatica. The external therapies, including Agnikarma and Venesection, are very effective for immediate pain relief. Following proper food regimes, exercise, and healthy weight management helps prevent the disease.

If you are planning to take an ayurvedic treatment in Kerala for Sciatica pain, then book an appointment at our Ayurvedic hospital in Trivandrum