Causes of Low Back Pain

Some of the common causes of the low back pain are –

• A lumbar strain where a stretch injury happens to the ligaments, tendons and/or muscles of the low back. This lumbar strain is considered one of the most common cause of low backache.
• An irritation in the nerves of the lumbar spine due to the mechanical pressure by bone or other tissues, or from disease, anywhere along their paths, from their roots at the spinal cord to the skin surface can lead to Low Backache.
• Lumbar Radiculopathy leads to the Low Back Pain wherein a damage in the discs between the vertebrae is seen leading to the nerve irritation.
• Bone encroachment resulting in the movement or growth of the vertebrae of the lumbar spine can cause low backache.
• Problems in kidney, ovary, tumors and pregnancy can also be a reason for the low back pain.
• Bulging discs (herniated, or ruptured), sciatica, spinal degeneration, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, skeletal irregularities, fibromyalgia, spondylitis, osteomyelitis and sacroilitis are some conditions which can cause low back pain.

Ayurveda Treatments for Low Back Pain

The aim of Ayurvedic treatment for back ache is to bring the Vata dosha to its equilibrium or normal state. Abhyanga (Ayurvedic therapeutic massage therapy) and Basti (Medicated Enemas) are very helpful in relieving the low back pain. Kati basti is an effective therapy in Ayurveda for Katishoola or the low back pain. The two types of Basti therapies viz. Anuvasana and Niruhana basti are performed by using various tailas (oils) and Kashayas (Herbal decoctions) which help to release the low back pain. Navarakizhi, Pinda Sweda or Shastik Sala Pinda Swedana and Pizhichil are other Ayurvedic external therapies that help to relieve the pain & stiffness of the back. Mainly, for treating low back ache or back ache both internal & external medications are recommended. This includes providing Basti Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatment, which is considered as the best Ayurvedic treatment for balancing the vitiated Vata dosha, Snehana (oleation) which is performed by sneha dhara (pouring oil), abhyanga (Ayurvedic oil massage therapy), avagaha (tub bath with oil or oleaginous medicaments) and kati basti (holding the medicated oils on the back). Also, Ayurvedic treatments of Swedana (sudation), pizichil and Kshayaseka. Generally, among the internal medication, various Kashayam, Guggulu, Vati, Ghrita, & Taila are used. Also, external Ayurvedic therapies include the use of Tailas through Snehana & Swedan process (Abhyanga) which are considered as the Ayurveda conventional massage therapy.

Other Recommended Therapies for Low Back Pain

Other than this, certain exercises (low impact aerobic activities) under the guidance of physical therapists can be additional support and effective way for a speedy recovery from low back pain. Sometimes Acupuncture, Traction, Biofeedback, Surgical procedures and Yoga techniques may be suggested in the treatment of low back pain.

Low Back Pain: 4 Ayurveda Case Studies

1) Case Study No. 1

Kati Basti is a specialized technique of External Ayurvedic treatments in which warm medicated oil is put on Kati (lumbo-sacral region) for a specified period of time (say 40 to 45 minutes) while the patient is lying prone. The present pilot, open, clinical study was launched with a view to observe the effect of Kati Basti in 27 patients of Katishoola (low backache) / Gridhrasi (Sciatica). Luke warm Mahanarayana taila was filled up into the trough (temp. 40 degree approx) and was kept for to 45 minutes. The procedure was carried out regularly, daily for 7 to 15 days according to the severity of the disease. This study was done with the patients (ages 38-68) having difficult in walking, LBP and patients of Katishoola/Gridhrasi/both showed Vataj prakriti. After Kati Basti patients showed improvement in symptoms like low backache, pain thighs & legs, difficulty in walking, numbness soles & legs.

2) Case Study No. 2.

A case study was done where a 53 years male complaining pain in the lower back region, along with weakness, tremor, difficulty in balancing the body, difficulty in swallowing, constipation, insomnia, emotional instabilities, muscle cramps, visual disturbances, speech changes, low back ache, pain in Achilles tendon, numbness of both upper limbs and wasting of muscles of hands and deltoid region. Patient was not on any medication since one year. At a worsened condition he opted for ayurvedic treatment. His treatment started with a combination of Dhanadanayanadi kashayam and Valiyarasnadi kashayam 15 ml each with 60 ml of luke warm water were given twice daily 6 am and 6 pm. Athmaguptha choornam 5g with milk was given at bedtime. Aswagandharishtam 30ml with one Manasamithravatakam tablet was given twice daily. On the first day an abhyangam with Dhanwantharam thailam+Mahamasha thailam for body and Chandanadi thailam for head was done. Udwarthanam with Kolakulathadi choornam was done for 5 days. On these days Lepanam with Kottamchukkadi choornam+Jatamayadi choornam mixed with Dhanyamlam was applied on lower back. Lepanam with Marma gulika mixed with salt was applied on the Achilles tendon. After this no worthy change was found in his condition. His sleep was found to be better but emotional swings were still present.2 Ashwagandha tablets were given in the evening. As he had flatulence and constipation Hinguvachadi choornam 5g was given with buttermilk before lunch. For the next seven days Pathrapotala swedam was done. These days Thalam with Ksheerabala101 was done in the afternoon. The patient found his sleep to be much better. Emotional swings were also less. Constipation and flatulence were almost relieved. Pizhichil with Mahamasha Thailam was done for the next seven days. Sirovasthi with Ksheerabala thailam was done in the afternoon. There were remarkable improvements in balancing the body. Virechanam was done with Gandharvahasthadi erandam30ml mixed with warm milk. Navarakkizhi was done for the next 7 days. On these days Ksheeradhoomam with Bala decoction and Nasyam with Ksheerabala 101 four drops were done. After completion of the course of treatment(28 days, the patient showed remarkable improvement in muscle cramps, low back ache, Achilles tendon pain, constipation and speech. Improvement in the pill rolling movement of fingers noticed. Staring look relieved slightly. Also there was much improvement in micrographia. He was also asked to repeat the course of treatment within one year.