Sciatica is a particular kind of pain in low back and lower extremity resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve. Sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the body, it is as thick as one of your fingers where it arises in the lower spine. It then travels from your lower back through your hip, buttock and down your leg where it divides into two branches at the knee. Each leg has its own sciatic nerve. Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk or a bone spur on the spine, compresses part of the nerve. This causes Sharp Shocking pain radiating from the Hip unto Thigh, Calf or the Toes in one or both the Legs. Numbness, Weakness and Tingling sensation along the path of the Sciatic Nerve are also the results of Compression, Irritation & Inflammation of the Sciatic Nerve. Sciatica pain increases when you sit or stand for long periods, or if you lift heavy objects. Bed rest can also worsens sciatica.
In Ayurveda it is known as Gridhrasi caused by aggravation of vata dosha. Vata dosha is one of the principle dosha in the body responsible for the movement and functionality of the body. In view of sciatica, vata is responsible for the movement of the muscles & the sensation of the nerves. Sometimes even kapha (dosha responsible for lubrication and bodily fluids) vitiation along with vata as vata-kaphaj - also causes sciatica.
CAUSES
Herniated Disks / Slip Disc
There are many reasons why sciatica may happen, although the vast majority of cases are caused by "slipped" disc or Herniated Disc.
Your vertebrae or spinal bones are separated by pieces of cartilage. Cartilages are filled with a thick clear material to ensure flexibility and cushioning while you move around. Herniated disks occur when the first layer of the cartilage rips. The substance inside can extrude and compress the sciatic nerve, resulting in lower limb pain and numbness.
Spinal Stenosis
Also called lumbar spinal stenosis, this condition is characterized by the abnormal narrowing of the upper or lower spinal canal. This narrowing puts pressure on the spinal cord and the sciatic nerve roots.
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) / Spondylolisthesis
This is one of the associated conditions of degenerative disk disorder. When one spinal bone (vertebra) extends forward over another, the extended spinal bone can pinch your sciatic nerve.
Bony growths (osteophytes)
Bone spurs or osteophytes are bony outgrowths on the edges of joints. Bone spurs form where cartilage is worn away (for example in arthritis) and bone is rubbing on bone. In an effort to protect the body, new bone forms on the edge of joints. This is called a bone spur. Bone spurs are not painful in themselves, but unfortunately, the bone spurs can rub on nearby bone or nerves, causing problems. In the spine, bone spurs can intrude into the space normally reserved for the nerves, thus causing sciatica.
Piriformis syndrome
Piriformis syndrome is an uncommon cause of sciatica. The piriformis is a muscle that connects the lower portion of your spine to your thighbones, which involuntarily contracts or tightens. When this happens it compresses the sciatic nerve beneath it causing sciatica. During piriformis syndrome pain may be worsen as the result of such commonplace events as sitting for long periods of time.
LINE OF TREATMENT FOR SCIATICA
As per Allopathic medicine, patient has to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) to get relief in pain. NSAIDs treatment may provide excellent results period over a short but over time can lead to other serious health problems. The most serious side effects of these harmful drugs are ulcers, bleeding, kidney failure, and rarely liver failure. NSAIDs also may cause swelling of the arms and legs due to the retention of fluid from their renal effects.
As Sciatica pain is caused by aggravation of vata dosha that may resulted by strain to back, due to improper posture or structural damages such as ligament and tendon tears during various physical activities or lifting heavy objects, Ayurveda treatment focus on balancing the aggravated Vata doshas.
Aggravation of vata is also caused by week digestion because, your poor eating habits makes your digestion week which creates impurities or toxins. These toxins accumulate, circulate and buildup in your low back causing irritation of Sciatica nerve. Therefore, treatment through Ayurveda experts also focus on improving digestion and elimination of buildup of toxins along with cleansing the blockage of channels responsible for pain through natural medicines as well as customized diet and lifestyle plans.
Treatment at Ayur Kalp also includes some Rasayana medicines for Rejuvenation of low back with other bodily tissues to regain and maintaining natural strength and vitality.
HOME REMEDIES
Garlic milk, it is helpful to reduce inflammation, stiffness and pain of the lower back.
Garlic Milk : Ingredient
DIET AND LIFESTYLE:
In Ayurveda it is known as Gridhrasi caused by aggravation of vata dosha. Vata dosha is one of the principle dosha in the body responsible for the movement and functionality of the body. In view of sciatica, vata is responsible for the movement of the muscles & the sensation of the nerves. Sometimes even kapha (dosha responsible for lubrication and bodily fluids) vitiation along with vata as vata-kaphaj - also causes sciatica.
CAUSES
Herniated Disks / Slip Disc
There are many reasons why sciatica may happen, although the vast majority of cases are caused by "slipped" disc or Herniated Disc.
Your vertebrae or spinal bones are separated by pieces of cartilage. Cartilages are filled with a thick clear material to ensure flexibility and cushioning while you move around. Herniated disks occur when the first layer of the cartilage rips. The substance inside can extrude and compress the sciatic nerve, resulting in lower limb pain and numbness.
Spinal Stenosis
Also called lumbar spinal stenosis, this condition is characterized by the abnormal narrowing of the upper or lower spinal canal. This narrowing puts pressure on the spinal cord and the sciatic nerve roots.
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) / Spondylolisthesis
This is one of the associated conditions of degenerative disk disorder. When one spinal bone (vertebra) extends forward over another, the extended spinal bone can pinch your sciatic nerve.
Bony growths (osteophytes)
Bone spurs or osteophytes are bony outgrowths on the edges of joints. Bone spurs form where cartilage is worn away (for example in arthritis) and bone is rubbing on bone. In an effort to protect the body, new bone forms on the edge of joints. This is called a bone spur. Bone spurs are not painful in themselves, but unfortunately, the bone spurs can rub on nearby bone or nerves, causing problems. In the spine, bone spurs can intrude into the space normally reserved for the nerves, thus causing sciatica.
Piriformis syndrome
Piriformis syndrome is an uncommon cause of sciatica. The piriformis is a muscle that connects the lower portion of your spine to your thighbones, which involuntarily contracts or tightens. When this happens it compresses the sciatic nerve beneath it causing sciatica. During piriformis syndrome pain may be worsen as the result of such commonplace events as sitting for long periods of time.
LINE OF TREATMENT FOR SCIATICA
As per Allopathic medicine, patient has to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) to get relief in pain. NSAIDs treatment may provide excellent results period over a short but over time can lead to other serious health problems. The most serious side effects of these harmful drugs are ulcers, bleeding, kidney failure, and rarely liver failure. NSAIDs also may cause swelling of the arms and legs due to the retention of fluid from their renal effects.
As Sciatica pain is caused by aggravation of vata dosha that may resulted by strain to back, due to improper posture or structural damages such as ligament and tendon tears during various physical activities or lifting heavy objects, Ayurveda treatment focus on balancing the aggravated Vata doshas.
Aggravation of vata is also caused by week digestion because, your poor eating habits makes your digestion week which creates impurities or toxins. These toxins accumulate, circulate and buildup in your low back causing irritation of Sciatica nerve. Therefore, treatment through Ayurveda experts also focus on improving digestion and elimination of buildup of toxins along with cleansing the blockage of channels responsible for pain through natural medicines as well as customized diet and lifestyle plans.
Treatment at Ayur Kalp also includes some Rasayana medicines for Rejuvenation of low back with other bodily tissues to regain and maintaining natural strength and vitality.
HOME REMEDIES
- Mix powdered Ashwagandha roots, fenugreek seeds and turmeric in equal quantity. Take one teaspoon of this mixture thrice a day.
- Massage your low back with sesame oil twice a day. Massage will help you to improve circulation and reduce stiffness and pain.
- Mix 1 gram each of dried ginger powder and Pipli (long pepper) powder in 3 gms of triphla powder. Take this mixture twice daily for a few days.
- Hot fomentation is also one of the best home remedy for instantaneous relief from sciatica. Hot water bottle can be applied to low back or the place of pain origin.
Garlic milk, it is helpful to reduce inflammation, stiffness and pain of the lower back.
Garlic Milk : Ingredient
- 2 crushed garlic cloves
- 1 glassful of skimmed milk.
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder.
DIET AND LIFESTYLE:
- Food which causes vitiation of Vata dosha has to be avoided, like potato, peas, soya, rice, curd and sour substances.
- One should not take very dry food devoid of oil because they are all aggravating factors for Vata – main cause of Sciatica. Purified butter or Ghee should be taken in sufficient quantity for pacifying Vata dosha.
- Conscious effort has to be made to maintain a proper posture while sitting.
- Avoid strenuous activities which increases stress on the spine.
- Hot fomentation on the lower back relieves the strain on the muscles.
