Natural Cure For Radiculopathy

ABSTRACT

Nervous system is the prime system of the body that governs the conveying, analysing, processing, and transmitting the motor and sensory sensations of the body. The brain, spinal cord and nerves are primarily involved in this system. The nerves are responsible for carrying the environmental sensation to the brain and spinal cord, and then carrying the response from the central nervous system to the affected part of the body through peripheral nerves. When there is any injury to the nerve root due to some spinal injury or as a result of degenerative it leads to the formation of radiculopathies. In this article we are going to discuss the radiculopathy, its symptoms, causes and the best Ayurvedic treatment for the disease.

INTRODUCTION

Radiculopathy is commonly characterised by the compressed nerve within the spine, most commonly radiculopathy is associated with the disc herniation that causes chronic changes in the spine with or without the history of spinal trauma. Radiculopathy doesn’t only refer to nerve root pain but it also includes various manifestations such as numbness, paresthesia etc. Cervical, lumbar and thoracic radiculopathies are three major types of radiculopathy. Cervical radiculopathy is marked by the compression of nerves in the upper back or neck. It leads to the weakness in the muscles of upper limbs, numbness in arms and shoulder pain. Lumbar radiculopathy is manifested by nerve compression in the lower back, legs or hips, it creates numbness in the lower back or feet. Thoracic radiculopathy is the rarest of these, it occurs when there is compression of the nerves of the mid-back region, it may cause tingling sensations, burning pain and numbness in the ribs.

SIGN AND SYMPTOMS

The clinical features of radiculopathy include the sharp intense pain in the arm, neck or shoulder etc, numbness, heaviness of the affected area, changes in bowel habits, reduced motor skills, loss of sensations, gradual loss in the reflexes of limbs (both upper and lower), weakness, pins and needles like pricking sensations or paresthesia (abnormal sensations) in the limbs. The nature of pain is often shooting or burning type.

CAUSES

The radiculopathies are caused by alteration in the connective tissues covering the nerve roots. These connective tissues include bones of the vertebrae, intervertebral discs, muscles and tendons. Due to some injury or gradual age related changes or some other diseased condition leads to the alteration in the size, shape of the nerves which results in compression or narrowing the space of the nerves from formania (the channel through which the nerve root travels inside the spine). Few causes of radiculopathy are herniated disc or the bony spurs. Herniated discs are the very general cause for foraminal stenosis. In normal cases the vertebral disc acts as a cushion between vertebrae. But following the spinal injury or degenerative changes lead to the herniation of the disc and resulting in damage. This type of radiculopathy mostly affects the lower back and neck. The other cause of radiculopathies is formation of bony spurs. These spurs are formed as a result of inflammation due to degenerative changes or following some trauma.

AYURVEDIC ASPECT

In Ayurveda, vata is the prime dosha involved in the various neurological functions. All the conductions in the nerves are monitored by vata dosha. This vitiated vata dosha is responsible for creating various systemic and neurological symptoms.

(Reference- Charka Samhita Chikitsa sthana 28/20-23)

This phrase describes the symptoms caused due to vitiated vata . These features include contractions/contractures in the affected body parts (Sankocha parvanam), stiffness in joints (parvanam stambho), piercing type pain in bones & joints (bhedastyhnam), delirium (pralap), erection of hair follicles (lomharsh), lameness with one legs (khanjta) which gradually converted into panguta lameness with both legs (panguta), forward or backward bending of body (kubjtv), dystrophy of organs (angshosh), insomnia (anidra), throbbing sensation in body (spandan), numbness in body parts (gaatrasuptata), tearing pain (bheda), pricking pain (todo), restlessness (arti), weakness or lethargy (aayas), etc.

TREATMENT

PLANET AYURVEDA IS THE GLOBAL MANUFACTURER OF HERBAL MEDICINES BASED ON ANCIENT AYURVEDIC METHODOLOGIES AND PRINCIPLES. THESE PRODUCTS ARE 100% NATURAL IN ORIGIN AND ARE EXTRACTED, PURIFIED, PROCESSED AND THEN FORMULATED INTO HERBAL OR HERBOMINERAL FORMULATIONS WITH STRICT ADHERENCE TO AYURVEDIC TEXTS. FURTHER THIS WHOLE PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING IS DONE UNDER GUIDANCE AND SUPERVISION OF OUR EXPERT AYURVEDIC PHYSICIANS, WITH TIME-TESTED FORMULAS.

Best herbal remedies for the treatment of Radiculopathy as suggested by Planet Ayurveda’s expert physicians’ are-

1. Hakam Churna
2. Boswellia Curcumin
3. Yograj Guggul
4. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras
5. Ashwagandha Capsule

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Hakam Churna

This churna is the polyherbal powder preparation having four ingredients which includes Chandrashoor (Lepidium sativum), Methi (Trigonella foenum), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), and Kalonji (Nigella sativa). These ingredients have anti-inflammatory properties that aid in reducing the swelling of joints, stiffness and the pain due to various radiculopathies.

Dosage:- 1 teaspoon of powder, twice daily after meals with lukewarm water.

2. Boswellia Curcumin

It is the effective combination made by Planet Ayurveda’s team for various disorders. The contents of these capsules include Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and the active ingredient of Haridra (Curcuma longa). This capsule is anti-inflammatory of both of its ingredients as well as the analgesic effect of Shallaki helps in reducing painful conditions associated with radiculopathy, also the curcumin helps in maintaining the good health of cells and tissues including muscle tissues due to its antioxidant activities.

Dosage:- 2 capsules twice daily with plain water, after meals.

3. Yograj Guggul

This tablet formulation is a classical Ayurvedic formulation used for treating joint pains and inflammation since ages. The ingredients of this tablet include sudh guggulu (Commiphora mukul), pippali (Piper longum), ela (Elettaria cardamomum) , sunthi (Zingiber officinale) etc. It helps in reducing the numbness and stiffness associated with radiculopathy.

Dosage:- 2 tablets twice daily with plain water, after meals.

4. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras

This is the best polymineral formulation of Ayurveda for balancing vata dosha. Vata dosha is the main dosha involved in pain, nerves and their conduction. The ingredients include suvarna bhasma (calx of gold), rajat bhasma (calx of silver), abhrak bhasma (clax of mica), and other minerals which aids in nourishment of the depleted dhatus (body tissues). This medicine thus by strengthening the nerves helps in relieving numbness, stiffness and painful conditions associated with radiculopathy and also help in preventing the further transmission of the disease.

Dosage:- One tablet once daily with plain water, after meals (to be chewed).

5. Ashwagandha Capsule

These capsules are made from the standardised extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). This herb is one of the best herbal nervine tonics. Ashwagandha provides strength to the muscles, bones and nerves, it also promotes the immunity of the body. In radiculopathy patients, it enhances both mental and physical strength of the body.

Dosage:- 1 capsule twice daily with plain water, after meals.

CONCLUSION

In most of the cases there is no perfect cure for this disease with allopathic medicine. They mostly focus on symptomatic medicines and use of analgesic medicines, which leads to many gastric and other bodily disturbances on long term use and still relief is not that much appreciable. Surgery is suggested to few individuals with radiculopathy, but it too has many complications. Whereas Ayurveda being the Science of ancient medicine, is the best methodology of treatment and it focuses on treating the radiculopathies with an integrated approach of herbal medicines along with dietary and lifestyle modifications.