What is Cervical Lumbar Spondylosis and Its Ayurvedic Treatment

ABSTRACT

Spondylosis is a form of arthritis which is spurred by the wearing and tearing of our spine. It generally occurs when our joints and disc get degenerated due to the growth of bone spurs on the vertebrae which can impair the movement of the spine affecting the nerves and their functions. Spondylosis leads to narrowing of the spinal canal resulting in the nerve roots and spinal cord compression. Chronic type of compression can cause damage to the spinal cord leading to the symptoms like numbness and weakness in our extremities, impairment in walking etc. It is important to manage this condition but in allopathy the only way to treat it is surgery. In order to avoid surgery one can take help of an ancient science i.e. Ayurveda which can manage the spondylosis without causing any side effects.

INTRODUCTION

Cervical spondylosis is wear and tear which affects the spinal discs of our neck. Discs get dehydrated and shrink and the condition gets worse with the age. When there is wear and tear in the lumbar spinal disc then the condition is known as Lumbar spondylosis. The condition in which wear and tear of both the spinal discs of neck and lumbar that is known as Cervico Lumbar spondylosis. According to the Ayurveda this Cervical lumbar spondylosis can be correlated with the Vata Vyadhi, in which Vata dosha gets vitiated due to which patient suffers from a lot of pain.

CAUSES

Causes of Cervical Lumbar spondylosis includes:

• Injury
• Stiffness of the ligaments
• Bone spur
• Herniated discs
• Dehydrated spinal discs
• Overuse

According to Ayurveda, causes of Vata-Vyadhi (Neurological disorders) are: (Charak Chikitsa- 28/14-18)

• Excessive intake of rough, cold, light and little food
• Excessive emaciation due to grief, anxiety and illness
• Excessive coitus and vigils
• Excessive movements like jumping, leaping, physical exercises, wayfaring
• Faulty therapeutic management
• Uncomfortable seat and chair
• Excessive anger
• Excessive elimination of blood
• Excessive day sleep
• Wasting of Dhatus (seven fundamental elements)
• Excessive fear
• Injury to vital parts
• Excessive fasting
• Suppression of urges
• Falling from horse, elephant and other fast vehicles

SYMPTOMS

Main Symptom of spondylosis is pain which is generally around the shoulder blade or leg pain or lower back pain which may get increased while sitting, sneezing, coughing, standing, tilting the neck backwardly. Other symptoms may include:

• Stiffness in the neck
• Numbness in the arms, shoulders, legs
• Headache

According to Ayurveda, common symptoms of Vata-Vyadhi (Neurological disorders) are: (Charak Chikitsa- 20-23)

• Contractures
• Tearing in joints and bones
• Joint stiffness
• Delirium
• Horripilation (the erection of hairs on the skin due to fear, cold, or excitement)
• Crippledness
• Limping
• Humpedness
• Stiffness in hands, back and head
• Destruction of fetus, ovum and sperms
• Sleeplessness
• Pulsation
• Crookedness of head, eyes, nose, clavicular region and neck
• Numbness in organs
• Tearing and piercing pain
• Distress
• Mental Confusion
• Exhaustion
• Convulsion

RISKS

Risks may include:

• Stress
• Smoking
• Genetic factor
• Overweight
• Inactive
• Injuries
• Aging
• Occupation

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnoses may include:

• X-ray
• MRI
• CT scan
• EMG
• Test reflexes
• Muscle weakness to be checked
• Nerve conduction study
• Range of motion

TREATMENT

Treatment of Cervical lumbar spondylosis includes:

• Corticosteroids
• Muscle relaxants
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Antidepressants
• Anti-seizure medication
• Surgery involves- removal of bone spurs or herniated disk, fusing the segments by using hardware or bone craft, removing a part etc.

According to Ayurveda treatment includes:

1. Samshodan Chikitsa (Detoxification therapy) – Samhodhan chikitsa which is can be helpful in the managing the Cervical lumbar spondylosis are as follows:

• Snehana (oleation) – It is done with medicated or plain ghrita (clarified butter) or Taila (oil) until the symptoms of appropriate Snehapana (oleation) are seen.
• Swedhana (fomentation) – Swedana (fomentation) should be done with the vapours of herbal decoction or with plain water vapours immediately after snehana.
• Mridu Virechana (soft purgation) – Mridu Virechana (soft purgation) is the process of inducing bowel movements by mild herbal combinations which are taken through mouth and detoxification happens through anus very softly.
• Basti (medicated enema) – It is the method of administering medicated enema with oil, milk, ghee through anal, vaginal or urinry route. This procedure is done in mainly Vata dominating conditions like neurological disorders.
• Rasayan Chikitsa (immunotherapy) – Rasayana Chikitsa helps to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Rasayana also improves immunity and performs vital functions of the human body.
• Nasya (medicated oil in nasal passage) – Nasya is the therapy which directly influences tissues of the brain and is done by applying medicated oil to the upper nasal passages.

2. Sanshaman Chikitsa (treatment using herbs orally) – Herbal remedies which are useful in managing the Cervical lumbar spondylosis are as follows:

1. Joint Aid Plus
2. Yograj Guggul
3. Hakam Churan
4. Boswellia curcumin
5. OrthoVita oil

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Joint Aid Plus – This herbal formulation is the combination of the herbs which works excellent and very rapidly as a painkiller without causing any side effect. These capsules act as a great source of dietary nutrition for the bones and joints in the body which provide complete support to joints and maintain health of bones. These are very helpful in reducing pain, inflammation, regaining the lost strength etc. Joint aid plus contains standardized extract of Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Ardarak (Zingiber officianale), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) etc.

Dosage :- 2 capsules two times a day with plain water after meals.

2. Yograj Guggul – This the herbal formulation of the Planet Ayurveda which is very useful for pains of joints, muscles, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis etc. This herbal remedy is very helpful in maintaining the healthy metabolism, rejuvenates and provides strength to the neuromuscular and skeletal system, and also removes toxins from the body. This is very effective in inflammation and pain. It is also effective in gastric issues, and balances the vata dosha. The ingredients included in this are Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Pippali (Piper longum), Vidang (Embelia ribes), Chavya (Piper chaba), Pushkaramula (Inula racemosa), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica) etc.

Dosage :- 2 tablets twice daily with plain water.

3. Hakam Churan – This Hakam churan has the ability to retrieve the digestion to normal state and also balances the Vata dosha.It is very useful in stiff joints, back pain, pain in joints etc. This herbal remedy has the ability to balance the tridosha. By balancing the Vata dosha it reduces the pain, by balancing the Pitta dosha it maintains the digestive fire and by balancing the kapha dosha it decreases the body weight. This remedy consists of four ingredients Methi (Trigonella foenum graecum), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), Kalonji (Nigella sativa) and Chandershoor (Lepidium sativum).

Dosage :- 1 teaspoonful two times a day with plain water after meals.

4. Boswellia curcumin – Curcumin has the ability to suppress the acute and chronic inflammation. It is the main active chemical present in Turmeric which is responsible for the remarkable properties of the turmeric. Planet Ayurveda’s Curcumin capsules contain standardized extract of 95% curcuminoids which are present in Turmeric. It is a very versatile herbal supplement that helps maintain a healthy body and mind, also reduces inflammation by lowering histamine levels and by possibly increasing the production of natural cortisone by adrenal gland.

Dosage :- 2 capsules two times a day with plain water after meals.

5. Ortho Vita oil – This oil removes the stiffness of the joints by increasing the flow of human life by giving the oxygen flow of the tissues. It also flushes out various toxins from the body. This herbal formulation provides a calming effect to the nerves, lubricates the joint, and increases the normal function. Ingredients of Ortho vita oil are Shul Gajendra oil, Prasarini oil, Turpentine oil, Saindhavadi taila, Gandhapura oil and camphor.

Method of Application- Apply over the affected area gently once or two times a day.

CONCLUSION

With the help of Modern science cervical lumbar spondylosis can be treated by managing the pain and by the use of the surgical procedures. But as we all know that there are so many complications and side effects of the surgery and long term use of steroids. In order to avoid the side effects and complications of the surgery and steroids one should take help of Ayurveda. All the herbal remedies and procedures mentioned above, will help in supporting the joints and maintain bone health.You can directly visit us at our clinic at Mohali, Punjab | www.PlanetAyurveda.com or you can also send your doubts and queries on our official email id-www.herbalremedies@yahoo.com