Spondylosis, also known as spinal osteoarthritis, can affect the lumbar, thoracic, and/or the cervical regions of the spine. Spondylosis refers to degenerative changes in the spine such as bone spurs and degenerating intervertebral discs. Lumbar Spondylosis (spinal osteoarthritis) is an age-related degenerative disorder of the lumbar spine that may cause loss of normal spinal structure and function due to the degeneration of the inter-vertebral discs, which advances with advancing age. It also leads to inflammatory changes which in turn brings about calcification (deposition of calcium) leading to extra bone formations called osteophytes. Spondylosis often affects the lumbar spine in people over the age of 40. The lumbar spine is affected the most as it is the weight bearing region of the whole body.
According to Ayurveda, the factors that may cause condition such as lumbar spondylosis are staying up late nights, suppression of the physical urges (of faeces, flatus and urine), practising excessive and improper ways of exercises, consuming wrong combinations of food items such as fish and curds etc.,(improper food habits), trauma or accidents and lifting heavy weights and being overweight. These factors may lead to conditions involving symptoms such as lower back pain, stiffness, numbness or weakness in the legs, buttocks or bowel and bladder movements. These symptoms according to Ayurveda are produced due to the predominantly present vata dosha in that region that gets vitiated producing dryness, loss of elasticity in the vertebral joints and degenerative changes (wear and tear) in the intervertebral disc space that may further reduce the disc space and may at times lead to intervertebral disc prolapse.
Ayurveda treatment for Lumbar spondylosis may include Panchakarma and Rejuvenation therapies, internal medications, Yoga and appropriate diet and lifestyle changes. Ayurveda Therapies like Basti(therapeutic enema), Dhanyamladhara(pouring of warm medicated decoction over the entire body), Swedana(medicated steam bath), Patra pottali swedana(bolus using combination of different leaves of medicinal herbs and oil) , Choorna pinda sweda(bolus using combination of dry powders of different medicinal herbs and oil); Sarvangadhara(pouring medicated oils or decoctions on the entire body), Kati basti (oil treatment done locally in the lumbar region), Shastika Shaali Pinda Sweda( bolus prepared from rice boiled in a medicated decoction) and Abhyanga(therapeutic oil massage) are commonly done according to the severity of illness. Internal medications are given to reduce the inflammation and pain along with proper advice regarding an appropriate diet. Avoid vata vitiating food items like potatoes, brinjal(eggplant), pulses such as bengal gram, black gram, fermented products, spicy and oily foods; avoid travelling on uneven roads and lifting heavy weights. Try to maintain a correct posture. Yoga and Physical therapy may also be advised accordingly.
MSRICAIM has specialized consultants who can suggest the right management approach for this condition.