Pain Management by Ayurveda in Lumbar Spondylosis– A Case Study and Selective Review of Literature

Introduction: In Ayurveda, Snehana is an important method of treatment for diseases of the spine. As per Ayurveda, fatty substances are having properties opposite to that of Vata Dosha which is the root of many diseases. Therefore, Sneha (fatty substances) have an important position in Ayurvedic treatment. Fatty substances are of 4 types of Ghrita (Ghee), Taila (oil), Vasa (muscle fat), and Majja (bone marrow fat). Among these types, the literature is available about Ghrita (ghee), Taila (oil), and Majja (bone marrow fat) only, but Vasa (muscle fat) is not currently practiced. We got a case study, in which cod liver oil capsules were used as a representative of Vasa Sneha. A male of 35 suffering from lumbar spondylosis approached for moderate to severe low back pain. We successfully used cod liver oil capsules as representative of Vasa Sneha in this case. Study Design: A single case study and selective review of the literature. Place and Duration of Study: Panchakarma OPD, Yashwant Ayurvedic medical college, PGTRC, Kodoli, 416114, Dist. – Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. Presentation of Case: This is a single case study in which a male of 35 years was suffering from chronic low back pain (CLBP) due to lumbar spondylosis The patient had chronic low back pain which was aggravated for 3 months. We prescribed him Ayurvedic medicines and cod liver oil capsules orally. The patient was followed for 16 months. Results: The outcome measure was assessed by the Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire. The low back pain score was measured in different positions. The before treatment value was 36 (median ẋ = 3.5) and the score was 72, and after treatment value was 2 (median ẋ = 0) and the score was 4. The Mann Whitney U test was performed. The p was 0.00009 (<0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that cod liver oil can be successfully used as a representative of vasa Sneha, and it is very effective in relieving chronic low back pain in lumbar spondylosis along with other ayurvedic preparations.

A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON THANDAGAVATHAM (LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS) TO ASSESS THE LIFESTYLE FACTORS IN PATIENTS

Lumbar Spondylosis in earlier days used to be an ailment of people in their 60s and above. In recent years this trend is changing. Many lifestyle factors are blamed for this transition. Yet the factors are different for each population. In National Institute of Siddha Hospital, Lumbar spondylosis is one of the most common ailments for which patient visits OPD. Hence, A cross-sectional study was carried out to get an idea about which of those factors were common in the Thandagavatham patients visiting this hospital. Aim: To establish the most common lifestyle factors in Thandagavatham patients reporting at Ayothidoss Pandithar hospital OPD, National Institute of Siddha. Materials and methods: All the patients with a known history of Thandagavatham (Lumbar Spondylosis) were screened for this study. After obtaining informed consent, about 200 people were questioned to know about their lifestyle. Data was collected using the pre-designed questionnaire. The frequency for each factor was obtained after feeding the data in MS excel software. Result: Out of 14 factors considered in the study, age, menopause, BMI, socioeconomic status, exercise, history of falls were common among the study population.

Association between Trunk Muscle Strength and Fall Risk in Older Men and Women with Lumbar Spondylosis

Various factors significantly affect the risk of falls among older adults with lumbar spondylosis. However, the relationship between falls and trunk muscle strength in older men is poorly explored. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship between back muscle strength and fall risk in older men and women with lumbar spondylosis. Based on self-reported fall scores, 39 outpatients were classified into two groups. Back and abdominal muscle strength, among other data, were compared between the two groups. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between fall scores and selected variables. Back (r = −0.491, p = 0.002) and abdominal muscle strength (r = −0.415, p = 0.009) were related to the fall score. Furthermore, back and abdominal muscle strength were related to the fall score in women with a high risk of falls, whereas back muscle strength, erector spinae, and lumbar multifidus cross-sectional areas, and visual analog scale were related to the fall score in men with a high risk of falling. Back muscle strength and fall scores may be useful to assess the risk of falls in older patients with lumbar spondylosis. However, evaluating this relationship may require separate sex-specific analyses.

AN AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO A CASE OF LOW BACK PAIN (KATIGRAHA) WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS

Katigraha is a condition where the lower back region is afflicted with Vitiated Vata and present with symptoms such as pain with stiffness. Katigraha mentioned in Ayurveda can be correlated with Lumbar spondylosis due to similarity of clinical manifestations. About 60% to 80% of the population in India suffer from this condition. The current case study was carried out at the Department of Panchakarma, B.S.D.Trust’s Ayurved Hospital and Research Centre,Wagholi,Pune. A 44 year male patient suffering with lumbar spondylosis was treated with samanya chikitsa of vata vyadhi i.e.Abhyanga, Swedana, Basti and Kati Basti treatment. Patient was treated for a period of 8 days. The response to the treatment was recorded and therapeutic effect was evaluated through symptomatic relief. Clinically, cardinal symptoms were significantly reduced and degree of anterior flexion increased from 40 degree to 90 degree. Radiographically, X Ray L.S. Spine showed an improvement in loss of lumbar lordosis. However, it still shows that the patient is suffering from lumbar spondylosis.