LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS
Lumbar spondylitis is a progressive condition that can lead to a limited range of motion in your back.
Lumbar spondylitis can lead to a limited range of motion in your back. It can also cause problems with other joints, such as your ribs, shoulders, or hips. Symptoms typically develop in early adulthood, but they can also develop in teens or children.
Symptoms of lumbar spondylitis
- The main symptoms are lower back pain and stiffness. Your upper back or neck may also be affected as the condition progresses.
- Your pain may:
- get better with exercise but stay the same or get worse with rest
- be worse in the morning and evening
- wake you up at night
- be felt around your buttocks
- improve with warmth, such as in a warm shower
- Pain can range from mild to debilitating. Symptoms tend to flare up and then go through periods where they’re reduced or disappear completely.
Other symptoms
Other potential symptoms include:
- pain, stiffness, and warmth in joints, such as the:
- ribs, which may cause problems with deep breathing
- shoulders
- knees
- hips
- enthesitis, pain where a bone connects to a tendon
- abdominal pain and diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- fatigue
- uveitis, which can cause:
- vision changes
- eye pain
- light sensitivity.
Causes and risk factors:
Aging: The most common cause as the passage of time can lead to changes in the bones of the spine and other problems. Unfortunately, this often means that the disease is progressive and irreversible. Being over the age of 40 increases one’s risk for lumbar spondylosis.
Abnormal spinal movement: Frequent overuse of the back as seen during sports or other physically strenuous activity can put increased amounts of stress on the lumbar vertebrae, leading to injury.
Generics: Those genetically predisposed to weak bones and ligaments may be at increased risk for injury to the lumbar spine.
Lifestyle: Certain lifestyle habits affect the integrity of bones. Smoking, for example, decreases the amount of water in your discs, which are needed to absorb impact.
Obesity: Excess weight put extra load on the joints of the lumbar region, accelerating wear-and-tear of the lumbar joints.
Prolonged sitting: Puts pressure on the lumbar vertebrae.
Prior injury: Makes one more susceptible for lumbar spondylosis development.
According to Ayurveda, Lumbar Spondylosis can be correlated to Kati Vata which is a type Sandhigata Vata and back pain can be related to Kati Shula or Prishta Shula or Kati Graha. Ayurveda considers aggravation of Vata dosha to be responsible for pain and degeneration of the lumbar spine. Excessive exposure to cold atmosphere, intake of cold, dry, stale food, late night sleeping, intake of too much grams, potatoes, peas are some of the factors that aggravate vata dosha and intern worsen the lumbar pain.
Ayurvedic Therapies for Lumbar Spondylosis
Kati Basti – Retention of medicated oil on the lower back to provide the lubrication for the degenerated disc. A well is constructed around the low back from black gram dough. Into this well warm medicated oil is poured and retained for duration of 30 – 45 minutes. The warmth of the oil is maintained by reheating whenever required.
Abhyanga – Full body and localised massage tones up the muscles and improves blood circulation. The stretching method followed during abhyanga acts as traction which reduces disc narrowing by increasing intervertebral space.
Swedana – Fomentation by patra pinda sveda (Fresh herbal bundle massage), Bashpa sweda (Steaming), nadi sweda (Steaming using a pipe) or churna pinda sweda (Powder bundle massage). Swedana reduces pain and stiffness in ligaments, relieves muscle spasm and improves blood circulation. It is specially advised in musculo-skeletal disorders.
Basti – Enemas with medicated oil and herbal decoction. According to Ayurveda large intestine is considered as vata stana (place where vata resides), hence basti plays a major role in controlling of the vitiated vata of lumbar spondylosis. Also basti provides nourishment to the bones and muscles and helps in faster recovery from severe pain.
Taila or Dhanyamla Dhara – Medicated oil or fermented gruel is poured on the localized area in a slow and rhythmic way. This activates the nerves, rejuvenates the muscles and improves circulation and thus reduces stiffness, pain and numbness.
Upanaha and Lepanam: Application of medicated paste or poultice on the affected area, to relieve pain, stiffness and numbness. The warmth of the lepa and upanaha provides good blood circulation