As per the API, the
incidence of low back pain (LBP) in the world is so severe that it is the 2nd
most common reason why a patient visits the hospital. Although LBP has become
more prominent in the case of young adults nowadays due to the current lifestyle,
altered circadian rhythm along with the sedentary lifestyle and food intake: if
we consider the older age group the incidence of the disease is so severe that
around 85% of the population aged >40 suffer from LBA at any stage of their
lives. [1]
Among these ‘LUMBARSPONDYLOSIS’ comes under
the congenital LBA, which covers degenerative diseases and osteoarthritic
changes in the lumbar spine. Spondylosis occurs in 6-10% of the general
population and has been found to be as high as 25-60% in athletes. The prevalence
of radiographic spondylosis increases with age. It is present in only a small
percentage of the population in the first few decades of life, but it is common
by the age of 65yr. In those with low back pain, prevalence ranges from 7-75%,
depending on the diagnostic criteria.[2]
In the contemporary medical
system, the treatment protocol includes medications
like muscle relaxants, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and other pain relievers,
which can provide quick but temporary relief to patients.
On the other hand, for chronic cases, surgical
treatments are advised, through which
anatomical corrections are done for
the management of the disease. For
some patients, it acts like a boon by giving them permanent pain relief,
but in another aspect, some patients even
after the successful surgery could not recover. Even after performing such an invasive
and expensive line of care, patients
sometimes end their lives with a
number of complications too.[3]
As the disease also
involves the older age group i.e., patients aged >60 too, the surgical
approach becomes a more tough choice for the surgeon; since it has to be
performed under anesthetizing the patient for >5hr, which may lead to
further complications. Patients with other neurological disorders are also
avoided from the surgery and have to be unwillingly dependent on the used
corticosteroids and the practiced NSAIDs for pain relief. [4]
Whereas, the Ayurvedic
approach to the disease is holistic. Snehana Chikista is considered to be the
Best Ayurvedic remedy for
dhatukshyajanya vatavyadhi, as it reduces the vitiated vata dosha which further
reduces the rukshsta, kharata, parushata by providing snigdhata, shlaksanata
and mruduta to the affected body organs.[5]
Snehana can be given by
different procedures like- Snehaana, Abhyanga, Shirobasti, And most importantly
Anuvasan basti. For the purpose of Snehana as mentioned by the Acharya Charak
chatuhsneha can be used i.e. Ghrita, Taila, Vasa, And Majja . But when we
consider the vata; Taila is mentioned as the best due to its vatahara
properties. That is the reason why in the previously conducted studies oils
like Mahanarayn taila, Balaaswagandha taila, Brihat saindhavadya taila, and
Sahacharadi taila are used the previously conducted studies. [6]
Since the taken disease is
a degenerative and vata vitiated disorder as per Ayurveda the cause of the
disease is due to the vitiation of vata and dhatu kshyaya, which can be managed
by uttarotara dhatu poshana, Acharya Charak in the context of Ghrita explains
it as “YOGAVAHI†having the properties like Pitta - Anilahara.
In the context of Anuvasan
Basti; both Acharya Charak and Sushruta explained like it can be administrated
daily in individuals, accustomed to daily exercise, have high digestive power,
those who are Ruksha, and have Vata dominating disease in the inguinal, pelvis
region, udawarta, and other Vatik disorders. In these individuals, the Sneha
gets absorbed as rapidly as the water is absorbed when poured on the sand.[7]
In the experimental group “RASNADI GHRITA†is
taken which has mostly vatahara drugs which would do the actions of reducing
vata along with nourishing the dhatus. As a result of which the degenerative
changes can be dealt with by providing uttarotara dhatu poshana.
As the drug contains drugs
like Rasna which is having Vata-kapha hara actions and drugs like dashamoola
which acts as an anti-inflammatory as well as having vata kapha hara actions,
the trial drug may show more efficacy in treating the disease.
In the phalashrurti of the
drug, A.H. “KASA CHIKISTA†adhyaya Acharya Vagbhatta clearly explains the drug
can be used for Vata-predominant diseases such as pana, navana, along with
basti.[8] |