Sciatica is a common type of pain affecting the sciatic nerve, a large nerve extending from the lower back down the back of each leg.
Sciatica is a medical term used to describe symptoms caused by other low back conditions.
Sciatica usually affects only one side of the lower body. Often, the pain extends from the lower back all the way through the back of the thigh and down through the leg. Depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected, the pain may also extend to the foot or toes.
For some people, the pain from sciatica can be severe and debilitating.
Sciatica Known as Gridhrasi in Ayurveda,
The most applied diagnostic test is the straight leg rising test, which is considered positive if pain in the sciatic nerve is reproduced with between 30 and 70 degrees passive flexion of the straight leg.
Diagnosis of sciatica through imaging can be achieved either with computerized tomography (CT scan) or with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Symptoms:
- Pain from lumber region to toe.
(Pain starting from hip area and radiating to the thigh, back, sacral region, popliteal area, calf muscles and foot)
Causes:
Sciatica is caused due to impaired digestion. Impaired digested food produce toxins (ama) and vat dosha that accumulate in the minute channels of the body hence sciatica vat kapha dosha diseases.
Intake of Vata aggravating eatables like- adhaki (pigeon pea), chanaka (Bengal gram), kalaya (peanut), masura (red lentil),Excess intake of dry, light and cold food,Excess intake of pungent, bitter and astringent food , bad lifestyle like Heavy weight lifting, long walk, improper lie or sitting positions Suppression of urine, feces etcImproper practice of enema, purgation,Fall or injury etc.
According to modern science sciatica is most commonly a result of a lumbar disc herniation directly pressing on the nerve or any cause like injury vertebral disc, bad posture such as slumping on a chair, sleeping in a curved position to irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve which can produce the symptoms of sciatica. Sometimes sciatica can occur because of irritation of the sciatic nerve during pregnancy.
Ayurvedic Medicine for Fever, Diet & Lifestyle:
- A large proportion of the diet must be carbohydrates, which facilitate proper movement of bowels, thereby bettering the body’s digestion.
Home Remedy:
The Ayurvedic treatment of Sciatica consists of cleansing herbs that eliminate the toxic build up, followed by digestive herbs that restore proper digestion. Panchakarma therapies like Snehana (oleation) -Medicated oils may also be applied to soothe the sciatic nerve ,Swedana (sudation)- sudation with oil added medicated herbal pastes ,mild purgation (Mridu Virechana) is preferred. Basti (medicated enema),
Shiravyadha/ Rakta-mokshana (venesection or blood letting) – It is advised to perform 4 angula (3inch) above or below the knee joint.
Agni karma (cautery) is carried in the severe painful area or near the little toe of the leg, using a metallic rod.
Note:
Medicine should be taken according to vaidya/docter
Treatment with Remedies and Ayurvedic Medicine