Back-Pain

Low back pain (LBP or backache) is a common disorder involving the muscles, nerves, and bone of the back region, including degenerative or traumatic changes to the discs and facets of joints, which can cause secondary pain in the muscles, and nerves, and referred pain to the bones, joints, and extremities.

Backache has a sudden onset or can be chronic pain, constant pain or intermittent or stay in one place ( most common in osteoarthritis, a specific location like knee or any other local joint area) or radiate to other areas (most common in fibromyalgia i.e most widespread pain), can also be sharp, piercing or burning sensation. Pain may radiate in the legs or feet and may include symptoms other than pain such as tingling, weakness, or numbness. It can be divided into two categories- such as acute or short-term low back ache and chronic backache (long term).

Acute or Short Term low back ache generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Most acute back pain is mechanical i.e the result of trauma to the lower back or a disorder such as arthritis. Pain from trauma may be caused by a sports injury, work around the house or in the garden, or a sudden occurrence such as a car accident or other stress on spinal bones and tissues. Acute pain syndromes can become more serious if left untreated.

Chronic backache means pain that persists for more than 3 months. It is often progressive and the cause can be difficult to determine.

Common Symptoms:

• Muscle ache
• Shooting or stabbing pain
• Pain that radiates down your legs (usually found in sciatica)
• Limited flexibility (inability to the rotation of joints)
• Inability to stand up straight (due to lack of calcium, zinc, and phosphorus content  and vit d or prickling of bones)
• Morning stiffness (most common symptom)

Differential Diagnosis and Diagnosis

• Muscle or Ligament Strain, Bulging or Ruptured Disc, Spinal Degeneration, Osteoarthritis, Skeletal Irregularities, Osteoporosis, Fibromyalgia, Cerebral or Lumber Spondylitis or Spondylosis or Osteomyelitis (infection in the bones of the spine) and Sacroiliitis (inflammation in the sacroiliac joints).
• X-ray- images show the alignment of your bones and whether you have arthritis or broken bones.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computerised Tomography Scan (CT Scan)
• Bone Scan (to detect Bone Tumours or Compression Fracture, in the rare case)

Ayurvedic Concept with Management

In Ayurveda, this condition is referred to as ‘Kati-Shoola’.  Here ‘Kati’ means low back or hip region and ‘Shoola’ means the pain which can be different.

Various names for this condition are mentioned in Ayurveda classics such as  Kati-Vata or Prishta Shoola or Kati Graha or Trika Shoola. Here Vata (Air Factor) is the predominant dosha among three doshas, i.e Vata (Air), Pitta (Fire factor), and Kapha (Water factor). Among these three dosha, Vata Dosha causes these conditions  and is categorized under Vataj Nantmaja Vyadhi ( Vyadhi means disease, specifically that disorder which occurs due vitiation of this specific Vata Dosha

Note – VATA  one among these three Dosha (constitution) is said to be superior most in all aspects for every property and actions and health benefits but strongest in its ability to produce disease and worst mortality. In general, vitiated Vata is responsible for any type of Vedana or Shoola (Pain) in the human body.

Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic’s Approach To Managing Back Pain

At Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic, the treatment for Back pain will be planned according to the presentation of the dosha predominance and underlying cause. Treatments may include Panchakarma therapies for Shodhana, internal medicines, external applications, and advice on diet and lifestyle modification.

The team at Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic includes qualified and highly experienced Ayurvedic doctors who possess a B.A.M.S (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicines & Surgery) Degree which is a 5.5-year University course that includes a 1 Year internship in a teaching hospital. They are registered with APA, UK, or BAAAP, UK.

The treatment regime mainly focuses on Abhyanga (medicated oil massage), Dhanyamala Dhara (traditional liquid massage therapy where lukewarm herbal liquid), Vasti or Kati Vasti (medicated enema to expel the unwanted toxins from the body).

These treatments are carried out according to the severity and nature of back ache or the disease. Therapies may range between 3 – 6 weeks and can expect maximum recovery within this period. The duration may vary further based on the underlying cause.

Backache pain treatment is purely based on Vata shamak (pacifier) oil application and Vatashamak medication. Ayurveda believes that at the root of every disease are individuals’ Aahar (type of food intake) and Vihara (lifestyle).

One of the most commonly used oils for massage in back pain is Mahanarayana Oil which is often mixed with other suitable oils to achieve a synergistic effect.

The practitioner team at Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic provides proper screening of patients, personalised herbal medication, and therapies plan which make a significant difference in the successful management of back pain. 

Some of the routinely used herbal medicine preparations which have been proved highly effective in the management of back pain are as follows: Mahayograaj Guggulu, Vatagajankush Rasa, Lakshadi Guggulu, Dashmularishta, Triphala Guggulu, Punnarva Mandoor, and Kaishore Guggulu. etc

These medications can be only given under the guidance of a qualified Ayurvedic physician.