Back pain has become a common phenomenon irrespective of the age group. The number of people experiencing this common musculoskeletal problem is on the rise in today’s world. Chronic back pain can significantly affect daily activities, work, and overall quality of life.
Hi, I’m Dr. Surej Subash, Senior Consultant Physician, MD in Ayurveda at Ayur Bethaniya. Today, let’s learn more about back pain, its causes, and how effectively Ayurveda can address back pain.
Many patients have come to me with complaints of back pain that hinders their ability to perform daily activities like walking, sitting, and standing. The symptoms of back pain range from mild to severe in these cases and are caused by several reasons. Ayurvedic treatment for back pain is prescribed based on individual condition and the severity of the problem. Before discussing the Ayurvedic treatment for back pain, let’s understand the issue and its causes.
What is Back Pain?
Back pain, also called lower back pain or lumbago, is a pain felt in the lower back described by patients as aching, shooting, or stabbing sensation. Some individuals also experience pain radiating down their legs. People suffering from back pain often have difficulty performing actions like bending, lifting, standing or walking. Back pain can be caused by many reasons. Here are some of the causes I have seen in my patients.
Causes of Back Pain
Sometimes back pain can develop without a cause. The following are some conditions we can link to back pain.
Muscle or ligament strain: If your job involves heavy lifting repeatedly, it can cause strain on the back muscles as well as the spinal ligaments. Continuous strain on the back can lead to painful muscle spasms if you are in poor physical condition.
Age: The chances of getting back pain increase with age. With increasing age, bones become weak due to constant wear and tear.
Bulging or ruptured disks: Between the bones in the spines, we have discs that act as cushions or shock absorbers. When the soft material inside the disc ruptures or bulges, it can put pressure on a nerve, causing back pain.
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis patients also experience back pain. Arthritis in the spine can lead to spinal stenosis, a condition which causes the narrowing of the space around the spinal cord.
Obesity: Obesity can put greater pressure on your joints and spine, causing a hump or pain in the back.
Poor Posture: Improper posture while sitting, lying, or sleeping can be another factor causing back pain.
Osteoporosis: This condition, characterised by low bone density and bone thinning, can cause small fractures in the vertebrae. This can cause pain in the back.
Symptoms of Back Pain
The most common symptom of back pain is an ache felt anywhere in the back. In some patients, it may radiate down to their buttocks and legs. Here are some symptoms reported by patients during consultations.
- Dull aching sensation in the back
- Chronic back pain with no relief from resting or lying down
- Inflammation or swelling on the back
- Inability to stand up straight without pain
- Pain down the legs
- Fever
- Difficulty urinating
- Numbness around buttocks, genitals, or anus
- Injury, blow, or trauma to the back
- Urinary incontinence
Ayurvedic Remedies for Back Pain Relief
Ayurvedic treatments and remedies can provide relief to patients suffering from chronic back pain. Ayurveda believes that an imbalance in Vata dosha is the primary reason for back pain. At Ayur Bethaniya, we follow a personalised approach to treating back pain, taking into consideration the condition and unique body constitution of the patient. I use a variety of approaches to treat my patients’ back pain, and numerous ayurvedic remedies for back pain relief have proven effective, allowing them to return to their normal lives and enjoy activities like they used to. As part of Ayurvedic treatment for back pain, I employ an integrated treatment method to effectively cure back pain by restoring Vata imbalance. The treatment protocol for back pain involves the following:
Ayurvedic Herbs
Several Ayurvedic herbs with anti-inflammatory properties can provide relief from back pain, reduce swelling in the joints and soothens the nervous system.
Panchakarma
Panchakarma treatment for back pain involves pre panchakarma treatments such as abhyangam, pizhichil, kizh etc followed by the main karma such as basti or virechanai. In Abhyangam, the patient is massaged in Ayurvedic oils from head to toe as it reduces pain and improves circulation in the affected areas. As part of the pre panchakarma procedure, herbs and natural ingredients are packed into a poultice, heated in warm herbal oil and massaged over the affected area. This helps in improving circulation and reducing stiffness and pain Pizhihil involves pressing warm oil on the patient’s body to improve muscle tone and relieve pain. The patient is finally given an enema or basti or virechana depending up on the predominance of the doshas, to remove toxins from the body and balance the Vata dosha..
Lifestyle Changes
I advise my patients to make lifestyle modifications to find complete relief from back pain. Quitting smoking and drinking is a major part of the treatment. Patients suffering from back pain should follow a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits. An active lifestyle can address issues like muscle weakness, disc problems, poor posture, and back pain.
Yoga & Meditation
Yoga is an excellent option for people with back pain to improve muscle flexibility and correct posture. Chakravakasana, Trikonasana, Bhujangasana, Makarasana, and Dandasana are some yoga poses that can help with back pain.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Back Pain at Ayur Bethaniya
Back pain can be a serious condition affecting your daily life. However, at Ayur Bethaniya, we offer effective Ayurvedic treatment for back pain by targeting the underlying cause. Our treatments aim at restoring the Vata imbalance to alleviate lower back pain. If you are suffering from back pain, I suggest you immediately schedule a consultation at Ayur Bethaniya. We will examine your condition and offer personalised treatment plans based on the underlying issue and the severity of the condition. Our comprehensive approach to treating back pain provides relief, allowing you to return to your daily activities and enjoy a life without pain. Explore Ayurvedic remedies for back pain relief at Ayur Bethaniya and live a pain-free life.
Feel free to contact us for your queries.
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