What is Sciatica? The Ayurvedic Perspective Explained
According to Ayurveda, sciatica is also called Gridhrasi ( ध्रसी). It is a painful condition where it generally hurts the most, and outgoing down the leg to the bottom in the lower part of the back.
This is an abnormality, and on that account, the pedestrian in this instance is normal, except his vulture-like gait-walks with the limb flexed and slightly inclined to the affected side, and this name has been derived from the Sanskrit Gridhra, meaning "Vulture." The gait-walking style is one of the characteristics of this condition.
Whereas Ayurveda defines sciatica as an affliction caused by disturbance of the Vata dosha coupled with wrong food habits and lifestyle, modern science describes sciatica as an indicator of a much more serious condition. Such manifestations include disc herniation and joint inflammation.
What is Sciatica
Sciatica refers to the pain that occurs due to the world's longest and thickest nerve in the human body, that nerve being the sciatic nerve. Sciatic pain originates in the lumbar region of the lower back (L4-S3) and traverses down the legs and buttocks to develop into pain in the foot. Signs of pinched nerves or inflamed nerves may be seen as numbness, weakness, or pain in the legs or lower back. The aforementioned regional names are some of the commonly used terms: Katisanayushool Roga and Sciatica Aajaara.
What are the Common Reasons for Sciatica?
According to Ayurveda, different causes for the Gridhrasi include a general pain caused by any of the five root spinal nerves, at times involving the entire sciatic nerve. Such an affliction of the sciatic nerve could include one leg, or, in some situations, both legs may be affected.
Important Causes
● Herniated Disc: Sciatica occurs when leakage of the soft inner material of a spinal disc flows outside through the tear in the outer layer. The patient may experience symptoms like tingling, some degree of impairment or weakness, and often some degree of pain in the lower back area of the spinal canal.
● Narrowing of Spinal Canal: Anatomical features such as spur formations, thickened ligaments, bulging discs, or degenerative changes can narrow the spinal canal and bring forth clinical features of sciatica and claudication aggravated by standing up and walking.
● Bad posture: Unnatural postural attitudes for a length of time sitting can lead to
a tight, spastic, or irritated piriformis muscle deep in the region of the buttock, which can compress or irritate the sciatic nerve, causing the pain in the leg and The foot area known as sciatica.
● Injury: With traumatic injury, muscle imbalances, dysfunction, and pain are also possible consequences. Compression of nerves and inflammation may lead to chronic sciatic pain.
According to the Ayurvedic concept, Gridhrasi is one of the 80 varieties of Vata-imposing ailments that are caused by aggravations of the Vata Dosha. Sciatica can arise due to numerous etiologies contributing to the aggravation of Vata:
Types of Sciatica Pain in Ayurveda
Gridhrasi is Classified into Two Categories in Ayurveda:
Vataja Gridhrasi: This is a vitiation of Vata, and it leads to stiffness, prickling, and
severe pain along the entire length of the sciatic nerve.
The condition is Vata-Kaphaja Gridhrasi: This means that the Vata and Kapha doshas together give rise to a form of condition characterised by heavy, dull aches and episodic feebleness or lethargy sensation. Primarily, the Ayurvedic approach to Treatment is balancing the Vata dosha, governor of all motor activity in the body. presiding over even the transmission of impulses through nerves.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Sciatica
1. Herbal remedies
The herbal drugs are proving to be a source of hope in the pursuit of the natural way of
life. They work wonders by harnessing the power of nature, offering relief from pain and
treating sciatica naturally with these miracles.
Let us now investigate how wonderful the advantages of herbal sciatica treatment are
been.
1. Turmeric: The Golden Spice: Curcumin acts against inflammation, thus causing a reduction in pain and inflammation. Turmeric is mentioned in the Ayurvedic texts as a natural analgesic and, therefore, can be of great help in relieving pain arising from the compression of the sciatic nerve.
2. Ashwagandha: The Stress Buster: The term adaptogen is a natural herb, and ashwagandha is specifically proven to lower cortisol levels, helping manage stress, the enemy of sciatica pain. Relaxation of the nervous system is another way this herb soothes tight muscles and promotes relaxation. Regular supplementation of Ashwagandha or herbal formulations may offer relief in treating the condition.
3. Shallaki: The Resin of Relief: Shallaki is also called Boswellia. It reduces swelling and pain and wonderfully combats inflammation. The shallaki helps in the natural healing of sciatica by targeting the underlying inflammation in the body. When taken as extracts,
tablets, or topical treatments, Shalaki can give significant relief from symptoms
reduction.
4. Guggulu: The Joint Rejuvenator: Also known for the best analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in tree resins, Commiphora mukul is the only source of gum guggulu. Guggulu enhances circulation and supports joint health in relieving symptoms like pain, inflammation, and stiffness due to the respective conditions. In classical practice, it may be used in external applications for its soothing and aromatic properties, either in an ointment or used orally in capsule form.
5. Nirgundi: The Nerve Nurturer: It is known to possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Pain relief itself is achieved by enhancing nerve function and reducing irritation. Nirgundi oil can be applied externally or ingested as extracts or capsules for targeted relief of the affected area.
2. Panchakarma Therapy:
● Basti: For Vata-related diseases such as sciatica, a medicated enema is the most successful treatment. It lubricates joints, reduces inflammation, and cleanses the body from impurities.
● Pratapinda Sveda: Dyes and herbal poultices containing leaves are placed to Relieve pain and stiffness in the legs and back.
● Sarvang Vashpa Sveda: The whole body steam therapy, to which herbal steam is given to the body, has a pain-reducing and blood circulation-enhancing effect and is effective in relaxing muscles.
External Therapies:
● Abhyanga- Ayurvedic oil massage with special oils is believed to be beneficial for sciatic backache because it reduces muscle tension and pain, and has Anti-inflammatory effects.
● Kati Vasti: It uses the heated application of medicinal oils over the lower back to relax the muscles and reduce inflammation.
3. Dietary and Lifestyle Modifications:
Incorporation of certain lifestyle measures along with dietary modification, herbal medicines, and Ayurvedic therapies is required for the successful management of sciatica and for preventing reoccurrence. These are:
● Yoga and exercise- Some yoga postures, like the wind-releasing posture known as Pavanamuktasana, Shalabhasana or locust pose, and Bhujangasana or cobra posture, can help achieve good emancipation from sciatica pain. The gentle stretching and strengthening exercises may further help facilitate movement and obviate a sense of stiffness.
● Stress management- Vata does not get agitated, and stress is low when one remains aware of the environment, practices the basic breath exercises, or meditates.
● Ergonomic adjustments- Properly using body mechanics and the use of chairs that are conducive to proper Posture could save time on giving interventions.
Conclusion
Using Snehana, Swedana, and Virechana, Ayurveda does offer specifically
structured treatments for sciatic pain. These systems of treatment work together to help
decrease pain by 60 to 70%, and are, therefore, very effective. The system also deals
with the symptoms and root causes by reducing inflammation, increasing circulation,
balancing energies within the body and initiating the healing processes in the body.
Nevertheless, several treatments are contraindicated and should be administered by
qualified professionals. Hence, Panchakarma treatments in conjunction with posture
correction, lifestyle interventions, and physical exercise could pose a long-term
approach towards pain management and enhancing wellness.
FAQ
Q. What is the duration of ayurvedic sciatica treatment?
Ans- Generally, Panchakarma therapies are the most effective for this treatment only
when done for at least 7 up to 21 days, grading on the severity of the condition.
Q. Are panchakarma treatments painful?
Ans- No, Panchakarma is not a painful therapy. Some procedures of this pancha
karma may be a little uncomfortable, but not painful. "Panchakarma is gentle but does
have long-reaching stress-releasing actions."
Q. Is sciatica a lifelong condition?
Ans- In people with sciatica, however, chronic (instead, constant or long-standing)
Pain can develop as a secondary condition. If an affected nerve sustains a serious
injury, a 'foot-drop' (or other chronic weakness of the muscles supplied by that nerve)
may develop.
