WHAT IS SCIATICA?

1.The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in the body.
2.Sciatica is nerve pain from irritation or an injury to the sciatic nerve, which originates from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg.
3.This can cause muscle weakness, numbness, pain and inflammation in the affected leg and feet.
4.It can also cause an unpleasant pins, needles and tingling sensation in your leg, foot and toes.
5.Sciatica usually affects only one leg at a time and occurs when a herniated disk, narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) or bone spur on the spine compresses the sciatica nerve.

AYURVEDA AND SCIATICA

1.In Ayurveda, Sciatica is known as Gridhrasi.
2.Gridhra means eagle, as the gait of the affected person can resemble that of an eagle’s walk and the inflamed nerve appears like an eagle’s beak.
3.Sciatica is typical of Vata imbalances.
4.Sciatica is also considered to be caused by an impaired digestive system.

COMMON CAUSES OF SCIATICA

1.Any disease that causes irritation of sciatica nerves.
2.Any pressure on the sciatic nerve due to an injury and irritation of sciatica nerve.
3.General wear and tear of the sciatic nerve, or the muscles supporting the sciatic nerve due to old age.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR SCIATICA?

1.INJURY-

An injury to your lower back or spine puts you at greater risk for sciatica.

2.AGE-

Normal aging can put sciatica nerves at risk of being injured by the changes including herniated disks and bone spurs.

3.OVERWEIGHT-

Extra weight you have can lead to back strains, pains and other back issues.

4.DAILY ROUTINE OR PHYSICAL JOB-

Jobs that require heavy lifting and prolonged sitting may increase your risk of low back problems.

5.DIABETES-

Diabetes increases chance of sciatica nerve damage, which increases the chance of sciatica developing.

6.OSTEOARTHRITIS-

It can cause damage to your spine and put nerves at risk of injury.

7.SMOKING-

The nicotine in tobacco can damage spinal tissue, weaken bones, and speed the wearing down of vertebral disks.

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF SCIATICA

AYURVEDIC HERBS AND FORMULATION

Some of the ayurvedic herb and medicines for the treatment of sciatica are:

HERBS-

1.Nirgundi (Vitex negundo)
2.Guggulu (Commiphora wightii)
3.Eranda roots (Ricinus communis)
4.Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
5.Long Pepper (Piper longum)
6.Jaiphal (Nutmeg/ Myristica fragrans)

FORMULATIONS-

1.Yogaraja Gulgulu vatika.
2.Triodashang guggle.
3.Ashwagandadi churna.
4.Balarishtam.
5.Dasamoolarishtam.
6.Bala awagandhadhi Tailam.
7.Dhanwantharam Tailam.
8.Ksheerabala tailm
9.Sahacharadi tailm
10.Dhanwanteram capsule
11.Dashmoola kashayam
12.Rasnadi kashayam

PANCHKARMA FOR SCIATICA

Panchkarma is most effective procedure in ayurveda for treating sciatica permanently.

KATI BASTI-

1.Kati Basti (Vasti) is a traditional Ayurvedic treatment used for disorders of lumbosacral region and lower backache.
2.Kati Vasti is a part of external oleation (Snehana) therapy in Ayurveda.
3.It is an intensely soothing massage treatment in which warmed; medicated oil is poured and pooled for a fixed duration of time to the lower back care using a dam made from dough.
4.It reduces lower back pain and treats complaints affecting the abdomen.

MEDICATED STEAM BATH

1.Ayurvedic steam therapy is also beneficial for reducing sciatica pain, numbness and the tingling sensation of the legs and back.
2.Steam therapy helps break the pain-spasm-pain cycle, where pain causes your muscles to spasm as a protective response, and those spasms, in turn, cause more pain.

MARMA MASSAGE THERAPY

1.Marma points are stimulated by massage.
2.Massaging the marma will give the healing effects to sciatica pain.
3.Marmas are sensitive areas so massage should be done carefully.
4.For sciatica pain relief rub or apply gentle pressure to Kshipra marma and Gulpha marma.

DIET (AAHAR)

A healthy diet for controlling sciatica pain is for balancing Vata dosha and includes

GRAINS

Rice, cooked oatmeal, whole wheat and whole grain breads (toasted)

PULSES

Yellow split mung beans (green skin removed), whole mung beans, red lentils and tofu

FRUITS

Sweet grapes, banana, melons, plums, cherries, mango, papaya, pomegranate, sweet pineapples, raisins, sweet oranges, dates and figs, avocado, apples and pears etc.

VEGETABLES

Asparagus, carrot, beets, sweet potatoes, cucumber, lady finger, parsley, green peas, fennel, spinach in small amounts and cooked coconut.

OILS

Ghee or olive oil

SPICES

Cumin, ginger, mustard seeds, ajwain, celery seeds, fenugreek, coriander, bay leaves, basil,
saffron, hing (asafoetida), cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, anise, fennel, black pepper (in small amounts)

SWEETENERS

Honey, jaggery, date suga

LIFESTYLE CHANGES (VIHAR)

Yogasanas and exercise help to relieve pain and discomforts of sciatica. Following Asanas are effective in sciatica, include-

1.Bhujangasana
2.Dhanurasana
3.Makarasana
4.Matsya Kridasana

PRODUCTS BY CAC FOR SCIATICA

1.TRIKATU SYRUP
2.MAKER RASAYAN TABLET
3.PAIN O KILL TABLET
4.NERVE UP TABLET