Natural Treatment of Herniated Disc without Surgery

Abstract

Herniated disc is a displacement of disc material which is nucleus pulposus or annulus displaced from intervertebral disc space. This occurs in people aged 30-50 years in a male to female ratio of 2:1.It is the common cause that leads to back pain. Herniated discs can happen in any part of the spine. This is more common in  lower back at the level of  L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels known as lumbar disc herniation because lumbar spine take most of the body weight. The second most common area is the neck which is known as cervical disc herniation. The area where pain is felt depends on which of the part of spine is affected.

Introduction

This is the condition in which the inner portion of the disc protrudes through the outer ring due to any injury or weakness. Protrusion is a condition where outermost layers of annulus fibrosus are still intact but may lead to bulge when the disc is under pressure. This is known as herniated disc. Herniated discs may develop suddenly or gradually. 

Causes

• Aging with associated degeneration 
• Loss of elasticity of disc
• Poor posture
• Hard physical labor
• Improper lifting 
• Excessive strain
• Sudden forceful trauma
• Frequent driving
• Being sedentary
• Excessive overweight
• Smoking

Symptoms

Symptoms of herniated lumbar disc

• Pain and numbness, most commonly on the one side of the body
• Pain extends to your arms or legs
• Pain increases at night or with certain movements
• Pain increases after standing or sitting
• Pain increase while walking short distances
• Unexplained muscle weakness
• Tingling, aching, burning sensations in the affected area

Symptoms of Herniated Cervical Disc

• Pain in arm
• Pain in back, foot and sometime in leg
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle spasm
• Uncomfortable burning and tingling sensation
• Leg numbness
• Stiffness of neck
• Hand numbness

Diagnosis

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): It is used to detect herniated discs.
• X-rays: Getting X-rays helps to find out the cause of neck pain.
• Computed tomography (CT): This technique show the bones of your spine and rule out the herniated disc
• Myelogram: This technique involves dye injection directly into your spine. The dye can find out the location of herniated disc.
• Electromyogram (EMG): In this test small needles are placed into various muscles and observe the function of the nerves. This technique helps to find out which nerve a herniated disc affects.

Treatment

In modern science herniated disc treated by

• Medication:-Mostly painkillers are used to decrease the pain.
• Physical therapy:-Physical exercise should be guided to improve circulation and body posture.
• Spinal injections:-Also called an epidural or nerve block. It is steroid medication given directly into the spine to immediate relief from pain.
• Surgery:-Discectomy: In this procedure the surgeon removes all or part of a disk.
• Nucleotomy:-This is the procedure in which the soft centre of the disc is removed by suction or laser excision.
• Laminectomy:- This is the procedure in which a surgeon removes the part of vertebrae to make space for nerves.
• Spinal fusion: This procedure is performed by a surgeon who may join two or more vertebrae together.
• Disk replacement: In this procedure herniated disc replaced with artificial implants.

Ayurvedic Overview

The Ayurvedic texts tell us the vata dosha is the main which is responsible for pain, dryness, bones becoming more prone to fracture, easily dislocation of joints, unable to walk, insomnia, pricking pain in body etc. The disc is considered a Majaa dhatu and Kapha dosha. Kapha is one who is responsible for maintaining lubrication and water content all over the body and it is assumed that it is a jelly which resides in the disc. The vitiation of kapha dosha leads to herniated disc.Majja dhatu is the component who keeps all the bones intact. So firstly we have to treat vata dosha and lubricate the disc.

The Treatment of Herniated Disc in ayurveda

The Treatment of Herniated Disc in ayurveda includes snehan, sweden, sanshodhan, anuloman, niruha basti, nasya and dhumpan from classical Panchakarma.

1. Snehan (Oleation therapy):- In this we use ghee,vasa,taila and majja for both local and internal application. It decreases vata dosha and greases the disc.
2. Swedan (Induced sweating):- Next procedure is swedan after snehan. Out of 13 types of sweda you can choose any one according to comfortability.Again and again use of snehan and swedan destroy the vata diseases completely.
3. Sanshodhan (Purification processes) :- If snehan and swedan doesn’t give any result then mild purgative medicine should be given to the patient for sanshodhan. For this you can use-Tilwak ghrit, Satlasidh ghrit or Eranda taila in milk. It prevents constipation and decreases vata dosha.
4. Vataanuloman (Clearance of vata obstruction) :- It is used for vata dosha obstruction.
5. Niruh Basti (Medicated enema):- For weak people give niruha basti along with deepana pachana tablets mixed in food to enhance strength of body.
6. Nasya And Dhumpana (Medicated nasal drops and Medicated smoking):- In every vata disease at the end use nasya and dhumpana
   
   

There are special procedures like - Shalwana Sweda, Updeha, Kati Basti, Greeva Basti, etc. Most of this procedure contains medicated oils and ghee because they reduce vata dosha. They lubricated the dried part of the disc or spine. Besides this, yoga is added in a patient's routine to provide flexibility, physical activity and strength.

Prevention

1. Learning the correct techniques for lifting and handling heavy items
2. Avoiding painful movements 
3. Avoiding painful movements 
4. Maintain your weight
5. Quit smoking
6. Do yoga and exercise daily
7. Drink green tea
8. Maintains good posture. 
9. Avoiding wearing high-heeled shoes

Herbal Remedies for Herniated Disc by Planet Ayurveda

1.Disc Care Pack :- It includes

1. Boswellia + curcumin
2. Aamvatantak churna
3. Yograj guggul
4. Hakam churna
5. Maha Triphala ghrit

1. Boswellia + curcumin

It is a poly herbal capsule which is made from shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and haridra (curcuma longa). Boswellia has anti-inflammatory properties which reduces the inflammation and inhibits the secretion of cytokines. It acts as an antioxidant which protects the neurons in the brain as well as decreases the wrinkles on skin. Curcumin has been described as bitter and pungent, light, dry and hot. Turmeric alleviates kapha and vata. It acts as digestive, astringent, anti-diabetic, anti-allergic, antioxidant, anti-bacterial and helpful in blood formation. It is known as a good blood purifier. It works as an excellent antibiotic because it is applied on cuts and bruises. It inhibits tumors of the skin and colon.

Dosage:-2 Cap twice daily after meal with warm water

2. Aamvatantak churna

It is a poly herbal churna which made from various herbs including ashwagandha (withania somnifera), methi (trigonella foenum graecum), haridra (curcuma longa) etc. This churna is tonic, rejuvenating and potent spermatogenic. This is an immune-modulator, anti-oxidant and hormone regulating. It is used to manage a number of ailments like nervous and psychiatric disorders. It is very useful in combating indigestion, flatulence and sluggishness of the liver. It brings heat into the body, increases perspiration and stimulates the circulatory system. It reduces body toxins besides controlling the lipid profile.

Dosage – 1 tsp twice daily with warm water after meal

3. Yograj guggul

It is a herbal tablet  made from  shuddha Guggulu (commiphora mukul), amalaki (emblica officinalis), haritaki (terminalia chebula) etc. This herbal product has qualities to pacify all three doshas in the body. This is light, dry, sharp, sticky and unctuous. It contains mineral matter mostly consisting of silicon dioxide, calcium, magnesium and iron. This is a very potent pack for various types of joint problems. This helps in reducing pain, swelling and tenderness of the inflamed joints. This is anti-inflammatory as well as antilipemic.

Dosage– 2 tab twice daily after meal with warm water

4. Hakam churna

It is a polyherbal churna which made from chandrashoor (Lepidium sativum), methi (trigonella foenum graecum), ajwain (trachyspermum ammi) etc. This relieves indigestion, colic and distension. It has anti-inflammatory properties, laxative, anti flatulent. This is hot in effect and is a nervine tonic which regenerates the nerves in normal functioning. It aggravates pitta but pacifies vata and kapha. This lowers the serum lipid level and helps in the weight reduction.

Dosage – 1 tsp twice daily with warm water after meal

5. Maha Triphala ghrit

It is formulation of Triphala (Amla (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica) ),  swarasa dravya (Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), Vasa (Adhatoda vasica) ) etc. This product has bitter, sweet, pungent taste and light, dry and hot in effect. Ghee has an anti-inflammatory property which soothes the inflammation in the body. It pacifies vata, pitta and kapha. This herbal pack is primarily digestive, carminative and laxative in nature. It stimulates liver functions, corrects metabolism, kills intestinal worms and has a tonic effect on all body organs, including the lungs, heart and brain. It is wound healer, anti-obesity, aphrodisiac and above all, rejuvenating properties. 

Dosage – 1 tsp twice daily with warm water after meal

Conclusion

Herniated discs are spine related disorders in which both vata and kapha both dosha are involved.vata dosha is the main reason for severe pain. Kapha dosha is considered as a lubricating agent which nourishes the spinal cord and whole body. In modern science there is painkiller, physical therapy and the last option is surgery. But in ayurveda we can cure this disease without surgery by many procedures like snehan, swedan, sanshodhan, anuloman, niruha basti, nasya and dhumpan from classical Panchakarma. We can give  herbal remedies like Mahatriphala Ghrit, Boswellia curcumin, Aamvatantak churna, Yograj guggul etc. These all things come together to decrease vata dosha and proper deepana and pachana is done.