Ayurvedic Therapy For Sciatica

Sciatica refers to the nerve pain that radiates down the leg. Other less used names are sciatic neuritis, sciatic neuralgia, and lumbar radiculopathy.

The longest nerve in the body is known as the sciatic nerve. It has a diameter of about 0.75 inches. The nerve begins from nerves plexus in the lumbosacral spine (the spinal cord of the lower back) that include the lumbar spine and sacrum and is known as sacral plexus. Movement and motor and sensory functions of parts of the leg like thigh, knee, and ankle, etc., are controlled by the sciatic nerves and its branches.

Injury or inflammation of the sciatic nerve results in symptoms called sciatica. Nerve path comprising of the area between buttocks and toes have severe pain. Losing reflexes, weakness, numbness, and pain can be experienced if due to herniated disc or spinal stenosis, a nerve gets compressed. Walking, sitting, and other activities are hindered by sciatic pain.

Ayurvedic view

Ayurveda refers to sciatica as Gridhrasi. Vata controls the motion and functionality of the body, and Kapha is responsible for lubrication and body fluids. Impairments of Vata and sometimes Kapha lead to sciatica. Toxins (ama) accumulate in small channels of the body if the food is not properly digested.

Herbs that aids in digestion and herbal formulation with anti inflammatory properties are given for treatment. Besides this, to soothe sciatic nerve external application using oils is done. Compression on nerves is reduced by Panchakarma techniques like Kati Basti, which then reduces sciatic pain as well.

Symptoms:

Pain travels from the buttock, down the back of the thigh, and into the toe.

Sciatica usually affects either the lower left or right side of the body.

Walking, standing, bending over, driving a car, working at a computer, catching up on household chores, sneezing or coughing, and many other activities of daily living can cause sudden and intense pain.

Causes of Sciatica

Spinal injury

Overweight

Irregular exercises

Herniated disk

Degenerative disc disease

Lumbar spinal stenosis

Spondylolisthesis

Sleeping on a soft mattress

Wearing high heels

Ayurvedic Herbs

Some of the important herbs and medicines for the management of Sciatica are:

Yogaraja Gulgulu vatika

Triodashang gugglu

Ashwagandadi churna

Balarishtam

Dasamoolarishtam

Bala awagandhadhi Thailam

Dhanwantharam Thailam

Ksheerabala Thailam

Sahacharadi Thailam

Sciatica Management at Vedic Health Ayurveda

Our practitioners not only manage the pain but also treat the site of origin of the condition, which in many cases is the gut. Because we do not yet offer Panchakarma therapies in our clinic, we will guide you on how to do self-massage (abhyanga) at home and also other therapies such as yoga asana and pranayama to help manage pain and discomfort.