Back pain (Low Back Pain) is pain felt in the lower back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. It is a common complaint. Most people will experience low back pain at least once during their lives. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work.

Men and women are equally affected. It occurs most often between ages 30 and 50, due in part to the aging process but also as a result of sedentary life styles with too little (sometimes punctuated by too much) exercise. The risk of experiencing low back pain from disc disease or spinal degeneration increases with age.

Symptoms -

Symptoms of back pain may include

•  Muscle ache
•  Shooting or stabbing pain
•  Pain that radiates down your leg
•  Limited flexibility or range of motion of the back
•  Inability to stand up straight

Causes

Back pain often develops without a specific cause that your doctor can identify with a test or imaging study. Conditions commonly linked to back pain include :

•  Muscle or ligament strain – Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement may strain back muscles and spinal ligaments.
•  Bulging or ruptured disks – Disks act as cushions between the individual bones (vertebrae) in your spine. Sometimes, the soft material inside a disk may bulge out of place or rupture and press on a nerve.
•  Spinal degeneration –degeneration from disc wear and tear can lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal.
•  Arthritis –Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.

•  Skeletal irregularities – Back pain can occur if your spine curves in an abnormal way. Scoliosis, a condition in which your spine curves to the side, also may lead to back pain, but generally only if the scoliosis is quite severe.
•  Osteoporosis –Compression fractures of your spine’s vertebrae can occur if your bones become porous and brittle.
•  Fibromyalgia – It is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple “tender points,” particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. Additional symptoms may include sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, and anxiety.
•  Spondylitis –refers to chronic back pain and stiffness caused by a severe infection to or inflammation of the spinal joints. Other painful inflammations in the lower back include osteomyelitis (infection in the bones of the spine) and sacroiliitis(inflammation in the sacroiliac joints).

Ayurveda refers this condition as ‘Kati shoola’. Kati refers to ‘low back’ (hip) and shoola refers ‘pain’. Kati vata or Prishta shoola or Kati graha or Trika shoola or Trika graha are other names or conditions mentioned in the classics.

Vata is the predominant dosha causing these conditions and are categorized under Vataja nantmaja vyadhis.

The treatment for Back pain or Kati shoola will be planned according to the presentation of the dosha predominance and underlying cause.

Treatment may include Panchakarma therapies for Shodhana, internal medicines, external applications and advise on diet and life style modification.

•   Abhyanga - Ayurved Oil Massage
•  Swedan – Ayurved Medicated Steam Therapy
•  Pathrapotali swed - Massage & Fomentation By medicinal herbal leafs
•  Katibasti – Pouring medicated oil over lumbar region
•  Pindswed - for healing the nerves and strengthening the muscles and nerves
•  Basti (the most important procedure in Ayurved for curing Sciatica permanently) etc., are done as per the necessity and condition.

Are done according to the severity and nature of the disease.

Therapies may range between 3 – 6 weeks and can expect maximum recovery with in this period. Duration may vary further based on the underlying cause.

Treatment Follow-up as per Medical condition of patient

•  Ayurved Herbal Medicines
•  Ayurved Diet & Life Style Management
•  Yogasan, Excercise