Degenerative Disc Disease Ayurvedic Treatment

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) means the problems developing gradually in spine or intervertebral disc due to age related wear and tear/ degeneration (arthritis). The exact reason of degeneration is unknown, but it may be due to excess physical activity, bearing weight, family history of disc complaints, trauma to spine etc. Factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, sports activities increase the risk of developing DDD.

Degenerative Disc Signs and Symptoms

In most cases of degenerative disc disease, there may not be any symptoms. When the disease affects the cervical spine (vertebrae of neck region) the person experiences neck pain, radiating to shoulders, and arms; weakness and loss of strength of arm muscles. If it involves impingement of nerves, there may be numbness (paraesthesia) and radiating pain to hands and fingers. Arthritis of low back spine causes low back pain which may radiate to buttocks, hip and legs, numbness of legs and toes, muscle weakness, loss of bowel and bladder control etc. All these symptoms aggravate by twisting, bending, prolonged sitting/ standing etc.

Degenerative Disc Ayurvedic Analysis

Vatavyadhi is the umbrella term used for diseases (especially degenerative diseases) affecting asthi (bones), sandhi (joints), sira (nerves) and associated structures. The common features are pain, stiffness, numbness, difficulty to move joints, swelling etc. These problems are more among elderly people as vata increases with age.

Degenerative Disc Causative Factors (Ayurveda)

Ageing is the major reason for aggravation of vata. Other causes are excessive physical activity, prolonged sitting/ standing/ bending/ travelling etc, trauma, continuous exposure to cold/ wind etc, abnormal body postures, excess intake of food items that cause vatavruddhi (aggravation of vata) such as dry/ cold/ bitter/ astringent/ light food, skipping of meals, etc.

Possible Complications Of Degenerative Disc

Osteoarthritis of spine, difficulty to perform daily activities, denying physical activity due to pain which causes loss of muscle tone/ blood clots in legs/ reduced flexibility/ depression etc are the possible complications of DDD.

Other systemic diseases and precautions to be taken

Consider other conditions like spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc before planning treatment.

Degenerative Disc Disease Management with Ayurveda Treatment

Internal medications along with procedures like snehana (oil application), swedana (mild sudation therapy- eg; steam bath, pizhichil), nasya (nasal administration of drugs), virechana (purgation therapy), vasthi (enema with suitable drugs), lepana (external application of suitable medicinal pastes), kativasthi (retention pf medicinal oil along the spine) etc. Supportive treatments such as physiotherapy, yoga, psychotherapy etc are also provided in need.

Diet

The diet should pacify aggravated vata- containing whole grains, green vegetables, fruits, nuts, milk, dairy products, meat and vegetable soups etc. Avoid the consumption of dry/ cold/ light food, curd, tubers, food items causing bloating and burning sensation in stomach etc.

Exercise

Mild to moderate exercises are recommended to practice as per the physician’s guidance. Yoga, meditation and pranayama are also beneficial.

Degenerative Disc Preventive Aspects in Ayurveda

Degenerative changes are not much preventable. Regular exercises, healthy diet, adequate rest, maintenance of normal body posture, avoidance of prolonged travelling/ sitting etc, regular oil massage all over the body, maintaining healthy body weight etc help a lot.

Importance of Diet

Choose the right diet that helps in balancing tridosha in body. Certain food items (eg: tubers) aggravates vata, and hence follow the instructions of physician to select the right food articles.