Facet Anthropathy Ayurvedic Treatment

Facets are the joints just behind the vertebral bones that help in maintaining the normal posture and limiting the movements of spine by counterbalancing the disc within the vertebrae. Wear and tear due to aging and inflammation (arthritis) damages the facets which is termed as facet arthropathy. It is caused by the damage of cartilage between the facets due to wear and tear, trauma, arthritis, over-weight, infections of bone, bad body posture etc. 

Facet Anthropathy Signs and Symptoms

The common features of facet arthropathy are low back pain that worsens with twisting /bending backwards/ prolonged standing etc, numbness of hip/ buttock/ legs due to nerve impingement by inflamed facets, stiff spine, and relief from pain by bending forward. 

Facet Anthropathy Ayurvedic Analysis

Pain, stiffness, swelling etc affecting the bones and joints are termed as ‘Vatavyadhi’ in Ayurveda. Bones and joints are the seat of vata, and hence when vata is vitiated it causes diseases of asthi (bones) and sandhi (joints). 

Facet Anthropathy Causative Factors (Ayurveda)

Vata is naturally aggravated during old ages causing wear and tear in asthi and sandhi. Other reasons are over-activity, abnormal postures, lack of oil massage on body, prolonged travelling, altered sleep habits, excess intake of dry/ cold/ light food having bitter/ astringent/ pungent tastes trauma etc.

Possible Complications of Facet Anthropathy Disease

The common complications are bone spurs, spinal stenosis, numbness over buttock/ hip/ legs, etc. 

Other systemic diseases and precautions to be taken

Rule out other conditions like disc prolapse, muscle sprains, injury to muscle etc before planning the treatment. 

Facet Anthropathy Disease Management with Ayurveda Treatment

There is no cure for this condition, and hence symptomatic care is provided which includes internal medications, procedures like rukshana (to remove ama if present), snehana (oil application), swedana (mild sudation therapy- eg: pizhichil), nasya (nasal instillation of medicine), virechana (purgation), vasthi (enema with suitable drugs), lepana (external application of pasted medicines), kativasti (retention of suitable oils over the affected part) etc. If there is associated psychological distress, psychotherapy, yoga, meditation and pranayama are also given. 

Diet

Include more whole grains, green and leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, milk and dairy products, etc in diet. Avoid the consumption of cold/ dry/ light food. 

Exercise

Mild to moderate exercises can be done as per the direction of physician. 

Facet Anthropathy Preventive Aspects in Ayurveda

• Maintain normal body posture.
• Eat healthy nutritious food that balances tridosha. 
• Exercise regularly. 
• Ensure adequate rest.
• Apply suitable oil all over the body and massage well before bath.
• Practice nasya as per the guidance of physician. 
• Avid prolonged travelling/ sitting/ standing etc. 
• Maintain healthy body weight. 

Importance of Diet

Right food can balance the tridosha in body. Certain food items/ tastes (like bitter taste) cause aggravation of vata resulting in vatavyadhi. Follow personalised food habit according to one’s prakrti, place of living, age, health condition etc as per the instructions of physician. 

Lifestyle 

• Ensure adequate rest.

• Avoid excessive physical activity, bearing weight, abnormal body postures, movements, prolonged sitting/ standing/ travelling etc. 

• Maintain healthy body weight.

• Exercise regularly.

• Consume healthy food.

• Avoid stress.

• Limit the consumption of alcohol and quit smoking.

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