SPINE AND AYURVEDA

It Is the most important structure in the body. It keeps us erect and at the same time has an amazing capacity of bending. It bears the weight of the body yet it is very light itself. It is a remarkable combination of strong bones, flexible ligaments and tendons, large muscles and highly sensitive nerves. It is designed to be incredibly strong, protecting the highly sensitive nerve roots, yet highly flexible, providing for mobility on many different planes. Yes, we are talking about the backbone of the body, THE SPINE. This marvellous piece of engineering , we always take granted for, and is neglected very often. We are bothered about our skin, our beauty , hair, eyes, even digestion ; but do we think about the spine? Not until we get pain. The massage lady had massaged the spine when we were infants. But after that we forget it and of course paytheprice later. The diseases related to spine occur due to changes in its structure and loss of functions. The causes are mainly: Ageing, Infection, tumours,Muscle strains, arthritis, etc. The increased pressure on spinal cord associated with spinal degeneration may cause disc displacement or herniation, spinal stenosis, narrowing of spinal canal, osteoarthritis, cartilage break up and many other complications. The disc between the bones of the spine are made up of cartilage, fibrous tissue, and water. With age these discs can weaken and may flatten, bulge, break down, or herniate. Symptoms The primary symptoms of degenerative spinal disorders are sharp and/or chronic pain, weakness, limited motion, and sensory loss. If spinal degeneration leads to compression or injury of the spinal cord, weakness and limited motion may increase significantly. Loss of bladder and bowel function and problems with sexual function also may occur as the problem worsens. The specific symptoms often depend on the location of the structural problem in the spine. DEGENERATION is a process mainly due to ageing and in ayurveda vaata is the dosha mainly dominant during old age and 90% of degenerative disorders are due to vitiated vaata dosha Degeneration can occur due to ware and tare ,in ayurveda these are mainly called abhighata which can lead to a deformity or disability. In degenerative spine disorders most of the diseases are due to disc degeneration, prolapse, bulging, dehydration, bony changes, these are mainly due to different doshic imbalance. In most of the disorders bone is involved with soft tissues like cartilage and nerves,leading to a vata predominant disorder as these are mainly the seats of vata,depending upon the causative factor the level of doshic imbalance vary and the treatment approach will be different. Spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal, is a condition potentially more serious than degenerative disc disease. As the spinal canal tightens, the spine and nerves may be significantly compressed and irritated, causing both back pain and pain that radiates to other parts of the body, depending on the location of the pressure on the nerves. What ayurveda can offer? Oorja Wellness Center situated near old sessions court , Margao has developed an unique VAMSHA CHIKITSA.. It is a combination of the conventional Ayurvedic know-how connected with the management of Spine disorders and Speciality Spine management and treatment techniques developed in Kerala with required modification forthe Goan diet and climate. We, at oorja wellness center have also picked up the suitable manipulation and traction techniques from the 'Marma' treatment system as well as the Kerala martial arts system which is known as 'Kalari-payattu'. It also utilises the rehabilitation techniques of 'Yoga' along with suitable 'Yogasanas' during the convalesence stage after treatments, which also help in nullifying any chance for relapse of the corresponding ailment. Main advantage of opting ayurvedic treatment are - no risk of spinal cord injury due to any operative procedure, no side effects, cost effective , no associated disorders. complete recovery in all sense, including clinical and laboratory examinations We also utilise all the modern knowledge and contemporary techniques available for the diagnosis of various Spine ailments. Thus the well-thought of and suitably structured treatment protocols of GoaAyurvedic Hospital along with the leadership of well experienced Ayurvedic Physicians makes a comprehensive blend of all the available resources. Conditions Treated: Pain, swelling, stiffness, warmth or redness in joints, hands and legs due to spondylitis / spondylosis. Prolapsed intervertebral disc Disc hernia. Ankylosing Spondylitis Partial Ligamant or Meniscal tears Pain in the neck with pain, numbness, weakness in shoulders & hands due to Cervical Spondylosis Cervical Sprain Cervical strain Cervical rib Postural Neck Pain Entrapment neuropathies like Carpel Tunnel syndrome, Thorasic outlet syndrome etc Peri-arthritis shoulder Peripheral Neuropathy Pain in the low back with or without altered sensation, pain or weakness in the legs due to Lumbar spondylosis Sciatica Sacro-illiitis Cervical Myelopathy Peripheral Neuropathy Osteoporosis or Osteopenia.. What to expect: The initial consultation involves taking the total health history of the patient. As spinal area is the part of body the whole history of digestion, metabolism, diet and behavioural habits is taken A darshana pareeksha is carried out by examining the eyes, color of the tongue, nails, skin, etc. Once the verbal and visual analyze are completed, further investigation involves examining the tender points (marma points). Focusing on these marma points the ayurvedic physician discovers the malfunctioning of the organs. Based on these investigations, a final picture is drawn about the patient's condition in relation to the three biochemical forces; vata pitta kapha. The dis-alignment of spinal vertebrae and musculo skeletal system is mainly concentrated and special attention is paid to the patient's food habits and life style. With full history and investigation the ayurvedic physician determines the amount of treatment required. Usually the treatment period is 7/14/21/28 days according to the severity of the disease. The treatments employed are (1)ABHYANGA (oil massage. Here atoorja wellness center , 'Abhyanga' is done both as a pre process of the purification processes known as 'Panchakarma' and as a major process also.Expert therapist does the 'Abhyanga' in a synchronised and systematic way following the Standard Operative Procedure developed through years of researches,.Massage increases metabolism which leads to better tissue respiration, increases circulation, causing the body to flush out its waste products more. It tones up the body, Improves flexibility, softness and firmness of the body .)(2)UDWARTHANAM- ( It is done by massaging with dry or wet medicated powders through the whole body by trained therapists for 45-60 minutes. 'Udwarthanam' detoxifies, purifies, tones, and exfoliates the skin and muscles This reduces obesity, imparts mobility to joints, strengthens muscles and refreshes the body.)(3)KIZHI (Small bags containing Herbal leaves are applied to the whole body in boluses with hot medicated oils for 45 minutes per 5day.)(4)PIZHICHIL (unique treatment emerged in Kerala, which was developed from ancient classical treatment called ' Kayadhara'. It has both the benefit of sudation and oleation. In 'pizhichil' lukewarm medicated herbal oil is poured all over the body.) (5)VAMSHA VASTHI ( This is a special type of treatment done at hospitals ofoorja wellness center for back pain. In this warm oil is kept over the whole length of the spine with herbal past boundary. The treatment last for 30 � 45 min.) Vamsha chikitsa is a complete system of healing, using mechanical, psychological, bio-physical and biochemical aspects of the spine along with the nerves. It discovers the root cause of the disease and treats the same in an integrated manner. The disorder of the bodily organs causes an imbalance in the biochemical forces leading to the development of diseases. These therapies activates or deactivates the organs, through pressure or massage on the nerve channels to stimulate or depress the blood, & other body fluids and the nerve currents so as to restoring the balance and harmony of the body thus helping the body regain its equilibrium Moreover We also offer "SWASTHYA-Stayhealthy" Programs for prevention of bone, joint and spine related diseases and to maintain the health of the bones, joints and spine. For any other queries contact dr. Pranav Bhagwat , medical director, oorja wellness center. Margao. Phone number 9011275650.