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Spine care
Ayurvedic treatment for back pain, sciatica and spondylosis
Low back pain, pain shooting down the leg, or a stiff aching neck. Our physicians find out where the problem comes from and plan medicines and therapies to ease it and keep it from coming back.
Signs to look out for
- Pain and stiffness in the lower back, worse after sitting or bending
- Pain, tingling or numbness travelling from the buttock down the back of the leg (sciatica)
- Neck pain and stiffness, sometimes spreading to the shoulder or arm (cervical spondylosis)
- Pain on coughing, sneezing or lifting
- Difficulty standing straight or walking for long
How Ayurveda understands back pain and sciatica
Ayurveda calls sciatica Gridhrasi, after the way the pain makes a person walk, and treats it as a disorder of Vata along the nerve path. Degeneration of the spine, as in lumbar or cervical spondylosis, is also seen as a Vata condition affecting the bones and joints. Long hours of sitting, poor posture, heavy lifting, irregular meals and lack of sleep all aggravate Vata, so daily habits are part of the treatment.
How we treat it at AyurRemedy
Your physician examines your spine and nerves and reviews any scans you have. Depending on what is found, your plan may include:
- Internal medicines from our in-house pharmacy
- Kati Vasti and Greeva Vasti: warm medicated oil held over the lower back or neck
- Abhyanga and herbal-bolus sweating (Patra Pinda Sweda, Elakizhi) to relax tight muscles
- Agnikarma on specific painful points, a classical approach for Gridhrasi
- Panchakarma, especially Vasti, for long-standing Vata conditions
- Posture, desk and exercise advice so the pain is less likely to return
If you have had surgery or are under an orthopaedic or neurology doctor, bring your reports; Ayurvedic care can be planned alongside your existing treatment.
Who will see you
- Dr Rasmi Johnson, BAMS, MS (Shalya Tantra): sciatica, spondylosis and Agnikarma
- Dr Harshitha Rai, BAMS, MD, PhD (Ayu): joint and spine conditions
Before your first visit, read what to expect at your first consultation.
See a doctor urgently if
Questions patients ask
Can sciatica be treated with Ayurveda?
Ayurveda treats sciatica (Gridhrasi) with internal medicines, oil therapies, Agnikarma and, where needed, Panchakarma, along with posture and activity advice. Your physician will examine you and explain what is suitable for your condition.
What is Kati Vasti?
Kati Vasti is a classical therapy in which a ring of dough is placed on the lower back and filled with warm medicated oil, which is kept at an even warmth for a set time. Greeva Vasti is the same therapy on the neck.
I have a disc bulge on my MRI. Can I still come?
Yes. Bring your MRI report and any other scans. Your physician will review them and advise whether Ayurvedic treatment is suitable, and whether you also need to see a spine specialist.
How long does treatment take?
It varies with how long you have had the problem and its cause. Many therapies are given as a course of several sessions; your physician will give you an idea at the first consultation.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Every person is different and results vary; your physician will explain what is suitable for you. See our medical disclaimer. Related: knee pain and arthritis, Panchakarma, rehabilitation.